The Affordable Care Act requires employers with self-funded health plans and health insurance issuers to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). The fees are reported and paid annually using IRS Form 720, the Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return. Form 720 and full payment of the PCORI fees are due by July 31 of each year and generally covers plan years that end during the preceding calendar year.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) includes strict standards of conduct for fiduciaries, those who manage employee benefit plans and their assets. A new class action lawsuit
highlights the importance of employers’ adherence to their fiduciary duties when managing their group health plans.