On May 11, 2015, the Department of Labor (DOL) along with other federal agencies issued an FAQ regarding the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that focused on coverage of preventive services. Non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance offered in the individual or group markets must provide certain listed benefits […]
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Compliance Recap // April 2015
Regulatory agencies were quiet during the month of April. The most significant guidance came from a variety of federal agencies that issued various documents regarding wellness programs. In addition to a Proposed Rule (discussed below) issued by the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) to align wellness program requirements with Title I of the Americans with […]
Read moreLast chance! Register now for our May Webinar – 1-2-3, Let’s Count Employees
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, Jackson Lewis LLP. Best of all, you can […]
Read moreAuditing Health Plan Premium Billing Statements/Carrier Enrollment Rosters
It is extremely important that group administrators audit their health plan premium billing statements or carrier online eligibility rosters as frequently as possible. Carriers are contractually obligated to retroactively terminate or add eligible members only within a certain timeframe. Timeframes may vary but typically carriers will allow retroactive enrollment within 31 days of the date […]
Read moreHRAs, HSAs, and Health FSAs – What’s the Difference?
Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), health savings accounts (HSAs) and health care flexible spending accounts (HFSAs) are generally referred to as account-based plans. That is because each participant has their own account, at least for bookkeeping purposes. Under the tax rules, amounts may be contributed to these accounts (with certain restrictions) and used for health care […]
Read moreProposed Rule on Wellness Programs Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
On April 20, 2015, federal agencies released a Proposed Rule to amend regulations and provide guidance on implementing Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to employer wellness programs. Title I of the ADA applies to employers with 15 or more employees, prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, and requires […]
Read moreCost Sharing Limits Changing for 2016
In the Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 Final Rule issued in February of 2015, federal agencies included a clarification that annual cost-sharing limitations for self-only coverage apply to all individuals, regardless of whether the individual is covered by a self-only plan or is covered by another kind of plan. Cost sharing refers to out-of-pocket […]
Read moreSeats are filling up fast!! Register now for our April Webinar – Privacy Issues for Employers and Health Plan Sponsors
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, Jackson Lewis LLP. Best of all, you can […]
Read moreCompliance Recap // March 2015
Coming off a busy February, regulatory agencies were noticeably quiet during the month of March. This allowed the Supreme Court to take the spotlight with oral arguments in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) related case, King v. Burwell. A clarifying FAQ was issued regarding cost-sharing limits for individuals, which was originally announced […]
Read moreWraparound Excepted Benefits to Launch with Two Pilot Programs
Health plan sponsors would be permitted to offer wraparound coverage to employees purchasing individual health insurance in the private market, including the Marketplace, in limited circumstances, under a new Final Rule issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) and other federal agencies. The Final Rule, published March 18, 2015, sets forth two narrow pilot programs […]
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