( 3 MINUTE READ ) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule and fact sheet for benefit payment and parameters for 2022. CMS has also released its draft 2022 actuarial value calculator and draft 2022 actuarial value calculator methodology. According to CMS, the proposed rule is intended to reduce […]
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Tentative $2.67 Billion Antitrust Settlement
( 4 MINUTE READ ) Disclaimer: The following is provided for informational only purposes. As a reminder, the lawsuit and subsequent settlement are not specific to one market or association. They are spread across the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association of companies, which is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based, and locally operated Blue […]
Read moreFinal Rule on the Extension of Certain Timeframes for Employee Benefit Plans, Participants, and Beneficiaries Due to COVID-19
( 5 MINUTE READ ) On March 13, 2020, President Trump issued the Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak and by separate letter made a determination, under Section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, that a national emergency exists nationwide beginning March […]
Read moreWebinar: What Employers Need to Know About IRS Reporting in 2021
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT Register Now The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s reporting requirements are rapidly approaching for employers with group health plans or with 50 or more full-time or full-time equivalent employees. This webinar will provide an overview of the reporting process, changes for 2021 reporting, […]
Read morePandemic Performance Reviews | Should They Stay or Should They Go? – Part 2
( 3 MINUTE READ ) In the latter half of this two-part series, we pick up on some additional reasons employers decide to halt performance reviews due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting workplace changes. As a recap, part one addressed waiting until things go back to “normal” and not wanting to give more […]
Read moreHappy Thanksgiving!
Our offices will be closing at 3pm on Wednesday, November 25th and will reopen on Monday, November 30th, as we celebrate Thanksgiving. From our family to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Read morePandemic Performance Reviews – Should They Stay or Should They Go? (Part 1)
( 3 MINUTE READ ) After reading the headlines of the morning paper or skimming your online newsfeed, it is hard to deny that 2020 has been a year of dramatic change. From the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to increased regulations around international travel and the uptick in children and parents learning and working from home, […]
Read moreHRAs, HSAs, and Health FSAs – What’s the Difference?
( 15 MINUTE READ ) 10/26/20 Update: Updated for the 2021 EBHRA limit, 2021 Health FSA limit, and 2021 QSE HRA limit. 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 his or her own account, […]
Read moreHealth Reimbursement Arrangements Comparison Chart
( 15 MINUTE READ ) 10/26/20 Update: Updated for the 2021 EBHRA limit, 2021 Health FSA limit, and 2021 QSE HRA limit. In June 2019, the Department of the Treasury (Treasury), Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (collectively, the Departments) published their final rules regarding health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) […]
Read moreUpdate on Tri-Agency Final Rules on Health Reimbursement Arrangements
( 60 MINUTE READ ) 10/19/20 update: Under IRS Rev. Proc. 2020-43, the $1,800 excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangement (EBHRA) limit will remain at $1,800 for plan years beginning after December 31, 2020, and before January 1, 2022. On September 30, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published its proposed rules to clarify how the […]
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