It’s Time to Prep for ACA Reporting in 2019

IRS Extends Form 1095 Distribution Deadline to March 4 On Nov. 29, the IRS extended the deadline for employers to distribute 2018 Forms 1095-C to employees by 30 days—until March 4, 2019, instead of Jan. 31. The delay also applies to self-insured small employers, insurers and others issuing Form 1095-B to covered individuals. See the SHRM Online article IRS…

Pay or Play Enforcement: What You Need to Know

In late 2018, the IRS began issuing enforcement letters to employers with generally 50 or more full-time or full-time equivalent employees regarding their compliance with the employer shared responsibility rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the 2016 calendar year. These letters, known as Letter 226-J, inform employers of their potential liability for an…

Health FSA Limit to Increase in 2019

The ACA imposes a dollar limit on employees’ salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs) offered under cafeteria plans. This dollar limit is indexed for cost-of-living adjustments and may be increased each year. New Limit Amount In November 2018, the IRS increased the health FSA contribution limit from $2,650 to $2,700 for taxable…

Open Enrollment Season is Around the Corner

Each year, once the dust of open enrollment settles, employers always ask, “What could we have done better?” The usual answer: employee communication. HR is in a unique position to talk about open enrollment because of their relation to employees and their extensive benefits knowledge. With this in mind, consider having HR distribute open enrollment communication…

Help your employees manage workplace stress

Keeping Stress at Work in Check Helping your employees deal with stress in the workplace can ultimately lead to greater productivity as well as motivating employees to perform better. Stress can sidetrack employees and prevent them from doing their best. Stress at work may come from significant workload, pressing deadlines and time management issues. When…

Reminder: Medicare Part D Notices Due by October 15

Notices Due to Medicare-Eligible Individuals Employers who sponsor group health plans that offer prescription drug coverage to Medicare-eligible individuals are reminded that they must provide a Medicare Part D Creditable or Non-Creditable Coverage Notice to those individuals by October 15. This notice serves to inform Medicare-eligible individuals whether the prescription drug coverage offered is “creditable,”…