Beginning in 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires that the probation period for new hires must not exceed a maximum of 90 days. Considering coverage can only start on the 1^st of a month, that not all employees are hired on the first of a month and that not all months consist of exactly 30 days, we are requesting practices to revise their probation periods to either the first of the month following date of hire, the first of the month following 30 days or the first of the month following 60 days to accommodate this provision within the law. Simply note which probation period you would like for your practice on your letterhead and fax into the SCDA office at 803-750-1644 or email to me at brownm@scda.org. This change will be effective January, 2014. If notice is not received, your practice's probation period will be automatically adjusted to the first of the month following 60 days.

How does this affect employees currently on a probation period when the new year arrives?

As a reminder, dependent children covered under your medical plan can continue to remain insured as your dependent up to their 26th birthday, regardless of marital status and/or if they are a full time student or not, however, their coverage will conclude at the end of the month in which they turn 26.