Benefits Buzz – Final Forms and Instructions for 2024 ACA Reporting Now Available
The IRS has released final 2024 forms and instructions for reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. No major changes were made to the final forms and instructions for 2024 reporting. As a reminder, the electronic filing threshold for returns required to be filed on or after Jan. 1, 2024, is 10 or …
Benefits Buzz – ACA’s Pay-or-Play Affordability Percentage Increases for 2025
On Sept. 6, 2024, the IRS released the affordability percentage threshold for 2025 plan years under the Affordable Care Act’s(ACA) pay-or-play rules. These rules require ALEs to offer affordable, minimum-value health coverage to their full-time employees (and dependents) or risk paying a penalty. For plan years beginning in 2025, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable …
Benefits Buzz – DOL Updates Model Employer CHIP Notice
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released a new model employer Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) notice with information that is current as of July 31, 2024. The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) imposes an annual notice requirement on employers who maintain group health plans in states that provide premium …
Benefits Buzz – 5th Circuit Requires Health Plans to Continue Providing Free Preventive Care
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that a key component of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive care mandate is unconstitutional. However, in a decision it referred to as a “mixed bag,” the 5th Circuit limited its ruling to the plaintiffs in the case, a small group of individuals and businesses from …
Benefits Buzz – PCORI Fees are Due by July 31st and Group Health Plan Fiduciary Litigation on the Rise
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 …
Benefits Buzz – HSA/HDHP Limits Will Increase for 2025
On May 9, 2024, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2024-25 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2025. The IRS is required to publish these limits by June 1 of each year. Effective Dec. 23, 2024, the final rule prohibits regulated entities from using or …
Benefits Buzz – Health Plans Must Expand Price Comparison Tool for 2024
Beginning in 2024, group health plans and health insurance issuers must expand the internet-based price comparison tool they make available to participants, beneficiaries and enrollees so that it includes all covered items, services and drugs. The purpose of this tool is to provide consumers with real-time estimates of their cost-sharing liability from different providers for …
Benefits Buzz – FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Daily Oral Contraceptive
On July 13, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it approved the first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. This drug is expected to become available to consumers without a prescription from stores and online retailers in early 2024. Insurance CoverageThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most group health plans …
Benefits Buzz – Gag Clause Attestations Are Due by Dec. 31, 2023
On Feb. 23, 2023, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQs on the prohibition of gag clauses under the transparency provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). These FAQs require health plans and health insurance issuers to submit their first attestation of compliance with the CAA’s prohibition …
Benefits Buzz – White House Announces End of COVID-19 Emergency
On Jan. 30, 2023, the Biden administration announced that it plans to end the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and national emergency on May 11, 2023. The COVID-19 PHE and national emergency were declared in early 2020 and have been extended numerous times since then. The Biden administration intends to extend the emergency periods until …
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
