The Adjusted Penalty Amounts for 2021 are $2,700 and $4,060 Under the Affordable Care Act’s employer shared responsibility (pay or play) rules, applicable large employers—generally those who have 50 or more full-time employees (including full-time equivalent employees)—may be subject to a penalty if they do not offer affordable coverage that provides minimum value to their…
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the importance of health care benefits. Its impact has led to many elective procedures being delayed, and 2021 may look different than previous years. Given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, many enrollees are increasingly conscious of having appropriate health care coverage. The effects of the pandemic have also…
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, day cares and schools shut their doors. Months later, child care centers remain closed in many parts of the country, which means that parents are tasked with juggling caregiving and work responsibilities. In fact, according to a survey from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), 60% of U.S. parents report that…
This video series explores the lasting effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on workplaces across the country. This video can help employers identify ways to keep operations running smoothly after reopening their businesses.
In July, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld expanded exemptions to the ACA’s contraceptive mandate. Under these exemptions, plan sponsors that object to providing contraceptive coverage based on sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions will not be penalized for failing to include contraceptive coverage in the plan’s benefits. The ACA requires non-grandfathered health plans to…
This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in Texas v. Azar, the lawsuit arguing that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. In June 2020, President Donald Trump’s administration asked the Supreme Court to strike down the entire ACA due to the elimination of the individual mandate penalty. The administration’s…
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed employees’ daily lives and routines, and even as businesses reopen, many employees are feeling the effects of the pandemic. As businesses reopen, employers must consider how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected employees, which in turn will affect their post-coronavirus return to work. As employees return to work, many are…
As business closures increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are faced with questions about compensation and health benefit coverage for their employees. Government relief measures may provide compensation for businesses and individuals in certain situations. In other cases, existing rules on employee rights will apply. Paid leave may be required for some employees by…
Guidance Applies to Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage, Health FSAs and DCAPs On May 12, 2020, the IRS released Notice 2020-29, which provides temporary flexibility for mid-year election changes under a Section 125 cafeteria plan during calendar year 2020. The changes are designed to allow employers to respond to changes in employee needs as a result of the…
Inflation-Adjusted Contribution Limits and HDHP Amounts to Increase The IRS has announced the 2021 inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as determined under the Internal Revenue Code. Annual Contribution Limits For calendar year 2021, the annual limit on HSA contributions for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) is $3,600 (up…
