During the month of July numerous new regulations were issued or proposed by federal agencies, and existing forms and processes were updated. In particular, penalties for various ERISA violations were increased, a major overhaul to Form 5500 filings was proposed, and draft 1095-C and 1094-C forms were released. Proposed regulations were also released relating to […]
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Are Opt-Outs on the Way Out?
Opt-out payments or cash in lieu of benefits have been a staple in the employee benefits industry for many years. Employers offer individuals who are eligible to enroll in their group health plan a sum of money, typically paid monthly, to those who waive enrollment in the group health plan. Employers who offer group health […]
Read moreCompliance Recap // May 2016
After a quiet few months, federal agencies were quite busy during the month of May, issuing four important final rules that impact employers. Specifically, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued the long-awaited revisions to the white collar exemptions of the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its final […]
Read moreWhat Employers Need to Know about the IRS-SSA-CMS Data Match Program
Beginning in early 2016, many employers received letters from the IRS-SSA-CMS Data Match program. These letters are addressed to the employer and begin by stating that “Medicare needs your cooperation.” Employers are directed to report information on the IRS/SSA/CMS Data Match Secure Web Site (https://www.cob.cms.hhs.gov/DataMatch/). The data being requested is often extensive, and can cover […]
Read moreBenefit and Payment Parameters Rule and HIP FAQ
The 2017 Benefit and Payment Parameters (BPP) rule, an annual rule that sets policies relating to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), has been released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The 2017 rule contains numerous updates, including the annual open enrollment periods for the individual market, rating areas for […]
Read moreMedicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice – Due October 15th
It’s that time again; time to send a Medicare Part D notice of creditable coverage to your eligible employees letting them know whether or not the prescription drug coverage you offer them is creditable. All employers, regardless of size, who sponsor group health plans with prescription drug coverage must provide notification by October 15 each […]
Read moreCompliance Recap // January 2015
IRS Releases Information and Forms for Satisfying the Individual Mandate and Claiming 2014 Premium Tax Credits Although employers are not required to offer coverage during 2014, individuals are generally required to have health coverage during 2014 and must report on that coverage through their 2014 federal income tax return. In many cases, the employee will […]
Read moreReminder – Transitional Reinsurance Fee Filing Due December 5
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the deadline for group health plans to provide their 2014 transitional reinsurance fee (TRF) submission. Filing is now due by 11:59 p.m. on December 5, 2014. The January 15, 2015, and November 15, 2015, deadlines to pay the fee remain the same. For more information on […]
Read moreMedicare Part D: Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notices Due by Oct. 14
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) created a voluntary prescription drug program for Medicare Part D eligible individuals. Under the MMA, group health plans — or entities that offer prescription drug coverage on a group basis to active and retired employees and to Medicare Part D eligible individuals — must […]
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