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American Dental Education Association
Volume 2, No. 72, October 18, 2022
HHS Releases Final Rule to Fix the ACA’s “Family Glitch”
The Department of Health and Human Services released the final rule [ [link removed] ] fixing the “family glitch” in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The family glitch was an unintended consequence stemming from the ACA. When the affordability of an employer-sponsored health plan was determined, it was based on just the cost for the employee. The cost to add family members was not taken into consideration. But the affordability determination was then applied to all members of the family who could be added to the employer-sponsored health plan.
A person is only eligible for premium subsidies in the Health Insurance Exchange if they cannot afford employer-sponsored health insurance. If a family’s employer-sponsored coverage offer was considered “affordable” (based on the cost to cover just the employee) and provided minimum value, the entire family was ineligible for subsidies in the exchange. In 2022, employer-sponsored coverage is deemed “affordable” if the cost for employee-only coverage would be less than 9.61% of household income.
The final rule would require that the cost for not only the employee, but also the cost for their family, be used when determining whether an employer-sponsored plan is affordable. If the plan is not affordable, then the whole family, not just the employee, would qualify for premium subsidies in the Health Insurance Exchange. This rule primarily effects those obtaining health insurance through the Health Insurance Exchange.
PSLF Temporary Waiver Ends on Oct. 31, 2022
Until Oct. 31, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will allow borrowers to receive credit toward loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program for loan payments that otherwise would not qualify toward the number of payments needed to earn forgiveness.
Information about the waiver can be found on ED’s website [ [link removed] ] , along with extensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that will answer many questions. The website also provides a number to call for assistance if questions are not covered in the FAQ.
U.S. Department of Education Now Accepting Student Debt Relief Applications During Beta Testing
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is now accepting applications for its student debt relief program. The link to the student debt relief website, which is where the application can be found, is here [ [link removed] ] .
Yesterday, President Biden officially opened the website and began accepting applications for the debt relief program. ED previously launched a beta website for the program late Friday night. Those who submitted applications as part of the beta testing do not have to resubmit their applications.
All loans held by ED are eligible for debt relief, including all undergraduate loans (i.e., Direct loans and Perkins loans), all graduate loans (i.e., Graduate PLUS loans) and Parent PLUS loans. Other rules apply to consolidation loans [ [link removed] ] , though some consolidated loans are also eligible. The debt relief applies only to loan balances disbursed on or before June 30, 2022. Any new loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2022, aren’t eligible for debt relief.
In addition to having loans held by ED, borrowers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) must also have been at or below certain income thresholds in either 2020 or 2021. Loan eligibility, income thresholds and other information about the debt relief program can be found here [ [link removed] ] .
The application is simple and easy: Borrowers only have to provide their name, social security number, date of birth and contact information. If additional information is needed, ED will contact the borrower.
The student debt relief website [ [link removed] ] has an extensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, which will likely answer many questions and will be updated as needed. For questions not covered in the FAQ, people can contact ED at the number listed in the website’s “Get Help” section (1-833-932-3439).
KY Board of Dentistry Proposes Rules for Mobile Dental Clinics and Portable Dental Units
In late September, the Kentucky Board of Dentistry filed proposed rules [ [link removed] ] to govern the registration and operation of mobile dental clinics and portable dental units. In addition to requiring these facilities to meet registration and record-keeping requirements, the rule would also require them to:
• Maintain a signed agreement with a fixed general practice or pediatric dental office within 70 miles of the treatment location that will accept timely referrals for follow-up and emergency care.
• Provide each patient with an information sheet that contains a plan for follow-up care, and specified contact information that can be used to obtain follow-up care.
• Operate under the supervision of a Kentucky-licensed dentist, who is responsible for all aspects of patient care.
The rule would exempt mobile dental facilities and portable dental units engaged exclusively in charitable dental practices as well as public health dental hygienists.
A public hearing to discuss the proposed rule is scheduled for Nov. 22, 2022, and written comments will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2022. More information regarding the procedure to testify and submit written comments can be found on the proposed rule webpage [ [link removed] ] .
ADEA Advocacy in Action
This appears weekly in the ADEA Advocate to summarize and provide direct links to recent advocacy actions taken by ADEA. Please let us know what you think and how we might improve its usefulness.
Issues and Resources
• ADEA memo [ [link removed] ] regarding vaccines at the state level
• ADEA report [ [link removed] ] on teledentistry
• ADEA report [ [link removed] ] on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Dental Schools
• ADEA policy brief [ [link removed] ] regarding overprescription of antibiotics
• For a full list of ADEA memos, briefs and letters click here [ [link removed] ] .
ADEA U.S. Interactive Legislative and Regulatory Tracking Map [ [link removed] ]
Key Federal Issues [ [link removed] ]
Key State Issues [ [link removed] ]
The ADEA Advocate [ [link removed] ] is published weekly. Its purpose is to keep ADEA members abreast of federal and state issues and events of interest to the academic dentistry and the dental and research communities.
©2022
American Dental Education Association
655 K Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202-289-7201
Website: www.adea.org [ [link removed] ]
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B. Timothy Leeth, CPA
ADEA Chief Advocacy Officer
Bridgette DeHart, J.D.
ADEA Director of Federal Relations and Advocacy
Phillip Mauller, M.P.S.
ADEA Director of State Relations and Advocacy
Brian Robinson
ADEA Program Manager for Advocacy and Government Relations
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