The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued answers to new frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding employer penalties under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These penalties apply to applicable large employers … Read More
Regulatory Changes to the ACA
Now that efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are on hold, the Trump Administration is in the process of making a number of regulatory changes. The … Read More
Trump Administration Will Halt Cost-Sharing Reduction Payments
The White House has announced that it will discontinue cost-sharing reduction payments to insurance companies. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have already sued to block this action. Under … Read More
President Issues Executive Order on AHPs, STLDI, and HRAs
President Trump has signed an executive order intended to allow individuals and small businesses to buy health insurance across state lines and bolster access to association health plans (AHPs). The … Read More
IRS Releases Draft 1095-C and 1094-C Forms and Instructions
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released draft forms and instructions for reporting under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for calendar year 2017, which will be due in 2018. In … Read More
Changes Coming to Small Group Premiums for Children
New regulations will take effect January 1, 2018 that will affect the premiums for covered children and employees under the age of 21. This change will make administration even more … Read More
The TrumpCare Zombie is Dead (for now)
After three Senate Republicans said they would not vote for the latest version of the repeal-and-replace bill, the leadership decided not to hold the vote that had been planned. A … Read More
CBO Estimates Impact of Ending Cost-Sharing Reduction Payments
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that ending cost-sharing reductions would increase medical insurance premiums for silver plans in the marketplaces by 20%. The Affordable Care Act requires insurers … Read More
It is Too Early to Declare TrumpCare Dead
Some people are calling efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) dead after a shocking turn of events in which three Republican Senators voted against a bill … Read More
Departments Issue Mental Health Parity Guidance and Draft Form
The 21st Century Cures Act required the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury to solicit feedback from the public on how the disclosure request … Read More
Senate Leadership Unveils Revised Health Bill
Senate Republicans have released a revised version of their healthcare bill. Overall, it is similar to the earlier version of their repeal-and-replace bill.
Uncertainty Continues to Plague Individual Health Insurance Market
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a map of 2018 projected Health Insurance Exchanges participation based on the known issuer participation public announcements through June 9, … Read More
Republican Senators Release Healthcare Proposal
Senate Republicans have released their version of a health care reform repeal and replace bill, which they call the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). Five Republican Senators have already stated … Read More
Will California Really Enact a Single-Payer Plan?
The California State Senate has passed S.B. 562, the Healthy California Act, which would create a single-payer plan in California. While it has passed its first major milestone in the … Read More
Supreme Court Expands Definition of Church Plans
The United States Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that employee benefit plans established by church-affiliated organizations are church plans exempt from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). ERISA generally … Read More
Conflicting Reports on ACA Repeal Bill
There are conflicting reports coming out of Washington, D.C. regarding whether the parliamentarian of the United States Senate has said that the American Health Care Act (AHCA) passed by the … Read More
Wisconsin Employer Resolves EEOC Case Involving Wellness
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that it has resolved its suit against Orion Energy Systems, a Manitowoc, Wis., lighting company, challenging a wellness program under the … Read More
CBO Releases Cost Estimate for the AHCA
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) have completed an estimate of the direct spending and revenue effects of H.R. 1628, the … Read More
Cost-of-Living Adjustments Announced for HSAs and Affordability
In Revenue Procedure 2017-37, the Internal Revenue Service announced the inflation adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). For calendar year 2018, the annual limitation on contributions to an HSA … Read More
HHS Final Rules Hope to Provide Stability to the Marketplaces
Final regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are intended to provide stability to the individual health insurance marketplaces around the country. The regulations make a … Read More