It’s not uncommon for employers to tack on a spousal surcharge when employees’ spouses are enrolled in the company’s health plan if the spouses’ own employers offer health benefits. And in most cases firms just assume the ill will surcharges generate is something that’s out of their hands. But that doesn’t have to be the case. [Read more...]
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What would it cost to repeal Obamacare?
At this point, with federal agencies already having spent billions to make sure Obamacare hits its implementation deadline of Jan. 1, 2014, would it be economically feasible for House Republicans to continue to push for the law’s repeal? [Read more...]
Filed Under: Healthcare Reform, In this week's e-newsletter Tagged With: CBO, Congressional Budget Office, Obamacare, repeal
Breaking down the barrage of new Obamacare guidance & forms
With the main part of the Affordable Care Act set to take effect in a little over half a year, the feds have been very busy releasing new guidance. Here are the highlights of their latest efforts. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Healthcare Reform, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views Tagged With: COBRA Model Election notice, exchange notices, HSA contributions, Obamacare guidance, SBC changes
Nightmare scenario: Self-funding oversight costs employer $1.8M
Every self-funded health insurance plan sponsor fears having to pay a massive medical claim. That’s why many sponsors purchase stop-loss coverage. Unfortunately for this employer, it signed a stop-loss policy without reading all of the fine print. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Healthcare Plans, In this week's e-newsletter Tagged With: ANB Insurance, Express Oil Change, self-funded, stop-loss
New Obamacare rules deal big blow to employers
Companies have been hoping that their wellness program incentives will help their health plans meet affordability and minimal value requirements under Obamacare. So chances are they won’t like the guidance the IRS just issued. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Healthcare Reform, In this week's e-newsletter, Special Report, Wellness Tagged With: 'Affordable' coverage, Minimum value, Obamacare guidance, Tobacco, Wellness
Obamacare springs new, expensive contractor misclassification penalty
If you’re growing tired of the huge compliance responsibilities Obamacare’s created, you won’t like this: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) will now require employers to put even more effort into making sure workers are classified correctly. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Empoyment Law, Healthcare Reform, In this week's e-newsletter, Special Report Tagged With: Affordable Care Act, Independent contractors, Misclassification, Obamacare, penalty
16 powerful quotes about Obamacare
Following the white-hot debate over Obamacare is like watching at a car accident – you can’t look away. So as a public service, we’ve gathered the pithiest statements from both sides of the aisle. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Healthcare Reform, In this week's e-newsletter Tagged With: harry reid, Nancy Pelosi, Obama, Obamacare, quotes, Romney
IRS releases 2014 HSA limits: Troubling trend revealed
The IRS has announced what the 2014 HSA contribution limits, HDHP required deductibles and HDHP out-of-pocket maximums will be — and there are some changes employers need to know about. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Healthcare Plans, In this week's e-newsletter Tagged With: HDHP, HSA, IRS, limits
Push to kill FSA ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ rule: Will new bill pass?
Since the creation of the rule back in 1984, there have been a number of bills that have failed to repeal the IRS’ controversial “use-it-or-lose-it” rule governing health-based flexible spending accounts (FSAs). But thanks in part to Obamacare, there’s reason to believe the repeal may finally happen now. [Read more...]
Filed Under: HSAs & FSAs, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views Tagged With: FSA, H.R. 1634, Obamacare, Rep. Charles Boustany, Use-it-or-lose-it
New SBC requirements: 2 things you need to change
The DOL just issued its 14th FAQ regarding the implementation of the health care reform law. It outlines new rules governing the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) documents group health plans must provide to current and perspective plan participants. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Healthcare Reform, In this week's e-newsletter Tagged With: DOL, requirements, rules, SBC