Delay Until Fully Functional Act of 2013

To provide for a delay of the individual mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act until the American Health Benefit Exchanges are functioning properly. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Delay Until Fully Functional Act of 2013 2. Delay in the individual mandate and exemption from penalty (a) Delay in applicability Section 1501(d) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18091(d) (d) Effective date (1) In general The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning 6 months after the date on which the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services submits to Congress the certification described in paragraph (3). (2) GAO study and report (A) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of the Delay Until Fully Functional Act of 2013, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine whether the American Health Benefit Exchanges, including the Exchange administered by the Federal Government, and all other point of enrollment options (including telephone and postal options), are fully functional and operating in a manner consistent with the role envisioned for Exchanges under this Act, and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the results of such study. (B) Subsequent studies and reports If, based on the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General determines that the Exchanges are not fully functional and operating in a manner consistent with the role envisioned for Exchanges under this Act, the Comptroller General shall conduct one or more subsequent studies every 60 days (and submit reports based on the results of such studies) until the Comptroller General determines that the Exchanges are fully functional and operating in such manner. (3) Certification Upon the submission of a report under paragraph (2) that determines that the American Health Benefit Exchanges are fully functional and operating in a manner consistent with the role envisioned for Exchanges under this Act, the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a certification (in writing) of the results of such report. (4) Adjustment of dates In applying section 5000A . (b) Exemption from penalty Section 5000A (h) Exemption The provisions of this section shall not apply to an individual who is unable to enroll in a qualified health plan because of the technical or customer service issues of an American Health Benefit Exchange, as determined by the Secretary. .

Summary: Delay Until Fully Functional Act of 2013 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) determine whether health care exchanges and all other point of enrollment options are fully functional and operating in a manner consistent with the role envisioned under the Act and report study results to Congress, and (2) conduct subsequent studies every 60 days until the Comptroller General determines that exchanges are fully functional and operating in such manner. Delays the effective date of the penalty for failure to maintain minimum essential coverage to apply the requirements to taxable years beginning six months after the date on which the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) certifies to Congress the results of the GAO determination that exchanges are operating successfully. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the penalty an individual who is unable to enroll in a qualified health plan because of the technical or customer service issues of an exchange.