Medical Loss Ratio Rebates Coming Soon to Plan Sponsors

Overview of Employer Responsibilities for Handling Rebates The Affordable Care Act’s medical loss ratio (MLR) rules require group health insurance issuers to provide rebates if their MLR—the amount of health insurance premiums spent on health care and activities to improve health care quality—falls short of the applicable standard during a reporting year. Each year’s rebates…

Suicide Education and Prevention

Suicide is a leading cause of death for Americans, but much like mental health in general, the topic rarely gets the attention it deserves. There is a stigma against discussing suicide and mental health in the United States that hinders meaningful conversation about the topic. Open dialogue is an important part of preventing these tragic…

DOL Finalizes Rule to Expand Association Health Plans

HIGHLIGHTS The final rule makes it easier for small employers to join together to purchase health insurance. According to the DOL, the changes expand access to affordable, high-quality health insurance coverage. Critics are concerned about potential risks to consumers and market stability. IMPORTANT DATES September 1, 2018 : Final rule applies to fully insured AHPs.…

New Expiration Date for Certain FMLA Notices is July 31, 2018

Model Notices Previously Expired on June 30, 2018 The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has extended the effective date of the following model FMLA notices through July 31, 2018: Notice of Eligibility and Rights & Responsibilities FMLA Designation Notice Certification of Employee’s Serious Health Condition Certification of Family Member’s Serious Health…

Reminder: PCORI Fees Due Soon

Affected Employers Must File IRS Form 720 Employers that sponsor certain self-insured health plans—including some health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs)—are reminded that they are responsible for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees. Fees for self-insured plans with plan years that ended in 2017 are due July 31, 2018, and…

How Summer Hires May Impact ALE Status

Employers May Apply a Reasonable, Good Faith Interpretation of the Term ‘Seasonal Worker’ Employers looking to hire seasonal workers this summer are reminded that there is an exception when measuring workforce size to determine whether they are an applicable large employer (ALE) subject to the Affordable Care Act’s employer shared responsibility (“pay or play”) provisions.…

Employers: Don’t Forget to Pay PCORI Fees

Affected Employers Must File IRS Form 720 Employers that sponsor certain self-insured health plans—including some health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs)—are reminded that they are responsible for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees. Fees for self-insured plans with plan years that ended in 2017 are due July 31, 2018, and…