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”
Category Archives: Medicare
Medicare and COBRA Can Cause Confusion
Employees – and their employers – are often confused when the employee who is Medicare-eligible retires. Some employees want to continue their coverage under COBRA because they’ve met their deductible for the year or simply because they’re familiar with the employer plan in which they were enrolled while working. But, making the decision to takeContinue reading “Medicare and COBRA Can Cause Confusion”
October Due Date for Medicare Creditable Coverage Notices
Employers with Medicare eligible participants must provide a notice that specifies whether the plans that they sponsor constitute creditable coverage for Medicare Part D. The notice must be provided in conjunction with the Medicare Part D annual election period which begins on October 15. This notice must be provided to all Medicare eligible individuals whoContinue reading “October Due Date for Medicare Creditable Coverage Notices”
Counting Employees Not as Easy as 1…2…3
Most children can count to 10 in preschool. The average child can count to 200 at age six. But, employee benefit professionals know that counting – when counting employees — is anything but easy. The reason that counting employees isn’t easy is that it depends why they’re being counted. Different laws at the federal andContinue reading “Counting Employees Not as Easy as 1…2…3”
HSAs and Medicare Conflicts
Employees who have enjoyed the benefit of health savings accounts (HSAs) may be in for a taxing surprise when they enroll in Medicare. That’s because Medicare enrollment disqualifies someone from contributing to an HSA. Working employees may sign up for premium free Medicare Part A when they are first eligible for coverage at age 65.Continue reading “HSAs and Medicare Conflicts”
Medicare Enrollment and “Seamless Conversion”
Anyone approaching Medicare age is sure to be swamped with mail regarding the coverage options to consider. For many people, these mailers are put aside or disregarded as “junk mail.” But, Medicare enrollment is an important decision which has both medical care and financial implications. Individuals are finding that a process intended to make MedicareContinue reading “Medicare Enrollment and “Seamless Conversion””
Compliance NOW! 