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 …
Benefits Buzz – Congress Extends Telehealth Relief for HDHPs
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA) extends the ability of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) to provide benefits for telehealth or other remote care services before plan deductibles have been met without jeopardizing health savings account (HSA) eligibility. This extension applies for plan years beginning after Dec. 31, 2022, and before Jan. 1, 2025. BackgroundIn …
Benefits Buzz – IRS Finalizes Deadline Extension for Furnishing ACA Statements
On Dec. 12, 2022, the IRS released a final rule that extends the annual furnishing deadlines for Sections 6055 and 6056 reporting under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This rule finalizes guidance that was proposed by the IRS in December 2021 with minor clarifications. Specifically, the rule: Finalizes the 30-day automatic extension to the due …
Benefits Buzz – Prescription Drug Reporting Due by Dec. 27, 2022
A new transparency provision requires employer-sponsored health plans and health insurance issuers to annually report information about prescription drugs and health care spending to the federal government. This reporting process is referred to as the “prescription drug data collection” (or “RxDC report”).The first RxDC report is due by Dec. 27, 2022, and covers data for …
Benefits Buzz – IRS Changes Family Coverage Affordability Rules
On Oct. 11, 2022, the IRS released a final rule that changed the premium tax credit (PTC) eligibility rules for family members. This change is effective for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2022.The PTC is available to eligible individuals who purchase health insurance coverage through an Exchange. Individuals are not eligible for the PTC …
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.
