Author Archives: NAHU

A Detailed Look at Considerations for the New HRA Options

The final rule regarding HRA expansion was released and scheduled to take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2020. The rule was in response to the October 12, 2017 executive order issued by President Trump to prioritize near-term improvement: association health plans (AHPs), short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI), and health reimbursement arrangements.Continue reading “A Detailed Look at Considerations for the New HRA Options”

ACA Affordability – Managing Risk

Submitted by Ken Stevenson, Vice President of Employee Benefits at Earl Bacon Agency Beginning with Plan years that started in 2015 Applicable Large Employers (50 or more fulltime employees including equivalents in the PRECEDING calendar year) had to concern themselves with a little thing called the “Affordability Threshold”.  The original Affordability Threshold was 9.5%.  NotContinue reading “ACA Affordability – Managing Risk”

Medicare Part D Disclosures Due by March 1, 2019 for Calendar Year Plans

The plan sponsor must complete the online disclosure reporting if the health plan(s) prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable within 60 days after the beginning of the plan year. For calendar year health plans, the deadline for the annual online disclosure is March 1. Timing of Disclosures to CMS The disclosure notice must beContinue reading “Medicare Part D Disclosures Due by March 1, 2019 for Calendar Year Plans”

Update on the Women’s Contraceptive Coverage Regulations

Submitted by Carol Taylor, Account Executive and Compliance Officer, Kirby Employee Benefits, Jupiter, FL Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the coverage for preventive care has been a changing landscape. There have been numerous changes to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force ratings for A & B recommended evidence-based items orContinue reading “Update on the Women’s Contraceptive Coverage Regulations”

HRA Expansion: An In-Depth Look at the Proposed Rule

Submitted by Annette Bechtold, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Reform Initiatives for OneDigital In response to President Trump’s October 12, 2017 Executive Order, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury and Labor issue the proposed rule expanding Health Reimbursement Arrangements. This third and final rule aims to provide employers with additional optionsContinue reading “HRA Expansion: An In-Depth Look at the Proposed Rule”

HHS Adjusts Civil Monetary Penalties

Submitted by Compliance Committee Chair Joan Fusco, Chief Compliance Officer at Savoy Associates HHS has announced annual adjustments of civil monetary penalties. The latest adjustments are based on a cost-of-living increase of 2.04%. Here are the highlights: HIPAA Administrative Simplification. HIPAA administrative simplification encompasses standards for privacy, security, breach notification and electronic healthcare transactions. TheContinue reading “HHS Adjusts Civil Monetary Penalties”

Sometimes A Lack of Regulation Creates Problems

Typically, when the federal government announces that it won’t be seeking regulatory action any time soon, both brokers and employer group plan sponsors rejoice. However, in this case, a lack of federal regulatory activity may cause headaches for companies that offer certain kinds of wellness programs, and their advisors. Two federal wellness program regulations fromContinue reading “Sometimes A Lack of Regulation Creates Problems”

IRS Publishes 2018 ACA Employer Reporting Forms and Instructions

Breathe a sigh of relief that the newly published 2018 forms and instructions for employer ACA reporting include no substantive changes. As a result, employers will have a relatively easy time following the now-established routine for the forms. But, the few cosmetic changes to the forms won’t stifle the sighs – or groans – ofContinue reading “IRS Publishes 2018 ACA Employer Reporting Forms and Instructions”

Flexible Spending Accounts – Different Strokes for Different Plans

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), also called Section 125 plans after the relevant section of the Internal Revenue Code, are commonplace benefits. But, perhaps because they are common, some employers and employees don’t understand some of the regulations that apply to these plans. IRS Publication 969 titled “Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans” isContinue reading “Flexible Spending Accounts – Different Strokes for Different Plans”