The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the CAA) requires group health plans to attest compliance with the CAA’s gag clause prohibition on an annual basis. While the prohibition of gag clauses was effective December 27, 2020, the first annual attestation is due December 31, 2023. Group health plan sponsors should begin taking steps now to […]
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New PCORI Fee Announced by IRS
READ TIME: 7 MINUTES The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released the adjusted Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee rate for policy and plan years ending on or after October 1, 2023, and before October 1, 2024. Background The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposed a fee on issuers of fully insured plans and plan sponsors […]
Read moreHHS Announces Civil Penalties for HIPAA, ACA, and MSP Violations
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES On October 6, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released inflation-related penalty adjustments for violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules. These adjusted amounts apply to penalties assessed on or after October 6, 2023, […]
Read moreWebinar: Year-End Compliance and What to Expect in 2024
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 1 – 2PM CST Register Now Registration Code:UBA410EW Attend this month’s webinar to review 2023 employee benefits compliance requirements and learn about compliance challenges employers will face in 2024. Gain insights into: Reproductive healthcare and contraceptive coverage requirements Prescription drug and healthcare reporting Consolidated Appropriations Act components that may impact […]
Read moreIRS Releases 2024 Benefit Plan Limits
The IRS recently released the 2024 benefit plan limits based on the annual cost-of-living adjustments in the Internal Revenue Code. These limits take effect beginning January 1, 2024. Final limits for health FSAs and DCAPs are still pending. Employers should update their Summary Plan Descriptions and other materials highlighting the annual dollar limits and watch […]
Read moreFAQs on Implementation of Transparency in Coverage Regulations (ACA Part 61)
READ TIME: 6 MINUTES The Department of Labor (DOL), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (collectively, the “Departments”) recently issued FAQ guidance on Part 61 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), addressing the implementation of the transparency in coverage regulations as well as related transparency provisions in […]
Read moreWebinar: Compliance Considerations for Self-Funding
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 1 – 2PM CST Register Now Registration Code:UBA410EW Attend this month’s webinar to gain an understanding of the rules and regulations that govern self-insured health plans. Gain insights into: The plan exemption from state insurance laws The Affordable Care Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act reforms that apply and how they […]
Read moreSeptember 2023 Compliance Recap
READ TIME: 8 MINUTES In September, plan sponsors began sending out Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage notices, and both Oregon and Maine announced Paid Family and Medical Leave laws. Sponsors of group health plans began completing the required Gag Clause Attestation due by the end of 2023. The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, […]
Read moreWorkplace Culture | Salary Transparency in Job Postings
The importance of pay transparency is on the rise as more organizations now include salary ranges in their job postings. Recent research from Payscale indicates a significant increase in employers adopting this practice, with the percentage of job postings featuring pay ranges jumping from 22% to 45% in 2022. Promoting pay transparency is not just […]
Read moreWebinar: Best Practices for a Successful Open Enrollment
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 1 – 2PM CST Register Now Registration Code:UBA410EW Attend this month’s webinar to learn best practices to implement and pitfalls to avoid during this year’s open enrollment period. Gain insights into: The mandatory and optional health plan notices The accepted forms of enrollment communication for in-office and remote employees The irrevocable […]
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