For a printable version of this blog, please click here, then click on “June 2018 Compliance Recap – Print). June was a relatively quiet month in the employee benefits world. The U.S. Department of Labor issued final regulations regarding association health plans. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a response in ongoing litigation regarding the […]
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2018 IRS Reporting Tip 1
Reporting Offers of COBRA Coverage The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires employers to offer covered employees who lose their health benefits due to a qualifying event to continue group health benefits for a limited time at the employee’s own cost. COBRA provisions are found in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the […]
Read moreIRS Updates Guidance on Play-or-Pay Penalty Assessments
Beginning in 2015, to comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), “large” employers must offer their full-time employees health coverage, or pay one of two employer shared responsibility / play-or-pay penalties. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determines the penalty each calendar year after employees have filed their federal tax returns. In November […]
Read moreOctober Compliance Recap
October 2017 October was a busy month in the employee benefits world. President Trump announced a new Acting Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Eric Hargan fills the position vacated by Tom Price, who resigned in late September 2017. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the instructions for Forms […]
Read moreSeptember 2017 Compliance Recap
Compliance Recap September 2017 September was a quiet month in the employee benefits world. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final Forms 1094/1095, special per diem rates for 2017-18, and guidance on the tax treatment of leave-based donation programs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a Medicare special enrollment period for individuals […]
Read morePresident Trump Ends ACA Subsidies
President Trump Ends ACA Subsidies On the evening of October 12, 2017, President Trump announced that subsidies for low-income Americans in relation to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) would be stopped. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed that payments will be stopped immediately. It is anticipated at least […]
Read moreCompliance Recap // June 2017
June was an active month in the employee benefits world. The U.S. Senate released a draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 which would substitute the U.S. House Resolution 1628 that aimed to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The U.S. Supreme Court decided an ERISA church plan […]
Read moreCompliance Alert – PCORI Fee due July 31 – Form 720
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee applies from 2012 to 2019. The fee is due based on plan/policy years ending on or after October 1, 2012, and before October 1, 2019. The fee is due by July 31 of the year following the calendar year in which the plan/policy year ended. This means that […]
Read moreSenate Releases Proposed Healthcare Bill; Differs from House AHCA
On June 22, 2017, the United States Senate released a “Discussion Draft” of the “Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017” (BCRA), which would substitute the House’s House Resolution 1628, a reconciliation bill aimed at “repealing and replacing” the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The House bill was titled the “American Health Care Act […]
Read moreFrequently Asked Questions about Employees’ Reduction in Hours
The Section 125 cafeteria plan regulations and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) require employers to take certain actions when an employee reduces hours. Below are answers to some common questions. Coverage During a Stability Period Q1: An employer has an employee who is reducing hours below 30 hours per week. The employee […]
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