With all of the delays to the Affordable Care Act, it is not clear as to the impact on those portions of the Affordable Care Act which are now in effect and those portions that will go into effect on January 1, 2014.

As of this point in time, the administration has determined either to delay or not enforce the following portions of the Affordable Care Act:  the Class Act; the small employer option; the Employer Mandate; the verification of eligibility for subsidies; the tobacco insurance premium.

We still have not seen the impact of the nonexpansion by certain states of Medicaid, not applicable in New Jersey, as well as the implementation of the exchanges whether by the states (not New Jersey), or the federal government, the situation in the State of New Jersey.

How will these delays impact the providers’ ability to be paid?  How will the insurance companies react?  Will they raise premiums to employers and beneficiaries?  Will they reduce reimbursements to the providers?

Providers should examine each delay as to its ultimate impact on the providers ability to provide services to their patients.