Under the ACA, group health plans and issuers that require the designation of a participating primary care provider must permit each participant, beneficiary and enrollee to designate any available participating primary care provider (including a pediatrician for children). Additionally, plans and issuers that provide obstetrical/gynecological care and require a designation of a participating primary care provider may not require preauthorization or referral for such care. If a health plan requires participants to designate a participating primary care provider, the plan or issuer must provide a notice of these patient protections whenever the SPD or similar description of benefits is provided to a participant. If an employer’s plan is subject to this notice requirement, they should confirm that it is included in the plan’s open enrollment materials. This notice may be included in the plan’s SPD. Model language is available from the DOL.