The Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act (STVHCC) of 2015 was signed into law by President Obama on July 31, 2015. The Act, also known as H.R. 3236, is focused on surface transportation programs but affects rules regarding how to count employees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) as […]
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Compliance Recap // July 2015
July brought the benefits industry increased fines relating to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) as well as some much-anticipated updates and information on a variety of subjects. A trade bill passed in early July increased penalties for employers that fail to file IRS forms relating to the ACA’s play or pay provision, […]
Read moreIRS Issues Second Notice to Assist in Developing Cadillac Tax Regulations
The IRS has issued its second notice regarding the upcoming implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage, also known as the “Cadillac tax.” Beginning in 2018, plans that provide coverage that exceeds a threshold will owe the tax. The threshold generally will be $10,200 […]
Read moreMid-Size Employers: Transition Relief and Community Rating
The employer shared responsibility (i.e., “play or pay”) requirements went into effect in 2015 for large employers only (those with 100 or more full-time or full-time-equivalent employees). Even though they generally will not be liable for penalties until 2016, mid-size employers (employers with 50 to 99 full-time or full-time-equivalent employees) will need to report on […]
Read morePreventive Services Final Rules
Federal agencies released final regulations on the preventive services mandate of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires non-grandfathered group health plans to provide coverage without cost-sharing for specific preventive services, which for women include contraceptive services. After pushback from religious employers, interim final regulations, objections from certain employers with religious objections […]
Read moreIRS Releases Draft 2015 Forms for 6055/6056 Reporting
Background Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), individuals are required to have health insurance while applicable large employers (ALEs) are required to offer health benefits to their full-time employees. In order for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify that (1) individuals have the required minimum essential coverage, (2) individuals who request […]
Read moreU.S. Supreme Court Upholds ACA Subsidy Eligibility on Federal Exchanges
The Supreme Court issued its opinion in King v. Burwell, holding that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may issue regulations to extend tax-credit subsidies to coverage purchased through Exchanges established by the federal government under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The six-to-three opinion was authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, who was […]
Read morePotential Employer Penalties under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Employers that do not meet the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) need to be concerned about several potential penalties. Two significant penalties include the excise tax, which can be as much as $100 per affected individual per day, and the penalties that larger employers must pay if they do not […]
Read moreMid-Size Employers: Transition Relief and Community Rating
Mid-Size Employers: Transition Relief and Community Rating The employer shared responsibility (i.e., “play or pay”) requirements went into effect in 2015 for large employers only (those with 100 or more full-time or full-time-equivalent employees). Even though they generally will not be liable for penalties until 2016, mid-size employers (employers with 50 to 99 full-time or […]
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