February had relatively little activity in the employee benefits world because a new Secretary of the Department of Health and Humans (HHS) was recently confirmed and HHS started its rulemaking under the new administration. On February 10, 2017, the U.S. Senate confirmed Rep. Tom Price as the new Secretary of HHS, who has a budget […]
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Health Insurance Marketplace Notice and OMB Expiration Date
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), an applicable employer must provide a written notice about the Health Insurance Marketplace to each employee. The Department of Labor (DOL) provides a model notice for employers that offer a health plan and a model notice for employers that do not offer a health plan. Can […]
Read moreSeats are filling up fast! Sign up now for our March webinar: What Employers Need to Know About Cafeteria Plan Nondiscrimination Rules
Benefit Insurance Marketing is pleased to extend an invitation to attend our upcoming monthly compliance Webinar. In conjunction with our alliance with United Benefit Advisors, you have the opportunity to learn more about the latest compliance trends and regulations from one of the nation’s leading employment and benefit law firms, Fisher Phillips. Best of all, you can take […]
Read moreCompliance Recap // January 2017
January was a significant month in the employee benefits world because the new U.S. administration issued an Executive Order announcing its intent to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). However, January was a relatively inactive month for new laws and administrative rulemaking because the new administration placed a freeze on rulemaking until […]
Read moreLimited seating available! Sign up now for a our February webinar on Medicare Secondary Payer and CMS Data Match
Benefit Insurance Marketing is pleased to extend an invitation to attend our upcoming monthly compliance Webinar. In conjunction with our alliance with United Benefit Advisors, you have the opportunity to learn more about the latest compliance trends and regulations from one of the nations leading employment and benefit law firms, Fisher Phillips. Best of all, you can take […]
Read moreQualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements and ERISA
Starting on January 1, 2017, certain small employers have the option to reimburse individual health coverage premiums up to a dollar limit through Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSE HRAs) under the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act). The Cures Act amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exclude QSE […]
Read moreIRS Memo on Fixed Indemnity Health Plan Benefits Tax Treatment
On January 20, 2017, the IRS released a Memorandum on the tax treatment of benefits paid by fixed indemnity health plans that addresses two questions: Are payments to an employee under an employer-provided fixed indemnity health plan excludible from the employee’s income under Internal Revenue Code §105? Are payments to an employee under an employer-provided […]
Read moreExecutive Order from President Trump on the ACA
On Friday, January 20, 2017, President Trump signed his first Executive Order, titled “Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Pending Repeal.” The Executive Order instructs the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the heads of all other executive departments and agencies with authority, or […]
Read moreCompliance Recap – December 2016
December was a relatively busy month for new laws and administrative rulemaking in the employee benefits world. President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law. The IRS issued a reporting deadline reminder, two information reporting summaries, and Q&As on information reporting. A U.S. District Court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction regarding a portion […]
Read more21st Century Cures Act
On December 13, 2016, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law. The Cures Act has numerous components, but employers should be aware of the impact the Act will have on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, as well as provisions that will impact how small employers can use health reimbursement […]
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