Employers would have to revamp how they communicate and explain their health-care plans next year under federal rules proposed yesterday, Business Insurance reported.

The rules, which would become effective on March 23, 2012, would require employers to provide workers with an “easy-to-understand” summary of benefits, coverage and a upon request a glossary of commonly used health-care coverage terms, such as deductible and co-pay.

The summary of benefits and coverage would have to include the portion of expenses a health-care plan would cover in each of three situations: having a baby, treating breast cancer and managing diabetes.

In addition, employers would have to notify plan participants at least 60 days before making any significant modification to plan coverage during the plan or policy year.

“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 Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of health and human services, in a press release.

Benefit experts say they have never heard of using such an approach.

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