The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury proposed new rules Wednesday under the Affordable Care Act that will provide consumers with standard forms to make understanding health coverage and comparing options easier. The new forms are scheduled to be available in 2012.

"Today, many consumers don't have easy access to information in plain English to help them understand the differences in the coverage and benefits provided by different health plans," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, that will change."

The rules proposed today will enable consumers to both more easily understand the coverage they already have and, when purchasing new coverage, to make comparisons of available options. Specifically, the proposed regulations would ensure consumers have access to two forms that will help them understand and evaluate their health insurance choices, including:

• An easy to understand Summary of Benefits and Coverage; and
• A uniform glossary of terms commonly used in health insurance coverage, such as "deductible" and "co-pay".

"Workers and their families need clear and understandable information regarding their health coverage," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's proposal is a common-sense step that will help workers quickly and easily compare different coverage options, in order to make more informed decisions."