PPACA Update: IRS Issues Final Regulation on Tax Credits
On Feb. 1, 2013, the IRS issued a final regulation that provides the long awaited answer of whether family members of an employee who has access to affordable self-only coverage are eligible for a premium tax credit/subsidy. The answer is that they are not – if the employee has access to affordable self-only coverage, the […]
HRA Restrictions Under PPACA
Because PPACA prohibits annual dollar limits on essential health benefits, HRAs that are not integrated with other group health coverage (usually a major medical plan) will not be permitted after Jan. 1, 2014. The January 24, 2013 DOL FAQ states that an employer-provided HRA will not be considered integrated (and therefore will not be allowed) […]
PPACA Update: Notice of Exchange Has Been Delayed
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have recently issued more FAQs and proposed rules that address several employer obligations under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). On Jan. 24, 2013, the DOL issued a FAQ that delays the due date […]
COMPLIANCE ALERT! Final HIPAA Privacy Regulations are Published
The Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published its long-awaited final privacy and security regulations (“Final Rule”) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) on January 25, 2013. The Final Rule becomes effective March 26, 2013, and, in general, covered entities and business associates are […]
What All Employers Need to Know About the “Cadillac Tax”
Starting in 2018, employers offering health plans that exceed a certain cost (the total employee and employer cost) would be subject to a 40% excise tax on the amount above that value. For individual coverage, the threshold would be $10,200 and for family coverage the threshold would be $27,500.* The calculation includes the value of […]
Coordinating Exchange and Plan Open Enrollments
On Jan. 2, 2013, the IRS issued a detailed rule that, among other things, provides that noncalendar-year plans may amend their Section 125 plans to allow employees to make midyear changes because of PPACA. Open enrollment for the exchanges will begin in October 2013 for a Jan. 1, 2014, effective date, and the individual coverage […]
How Will an Employer Know if an Employee Applies for a Premium Subsidy in the Exchange?
On Jan. 14, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued another lengthy proposed rule under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Among other things, the proposed rule provides some information on how employers will be notified if an employee applies for a premium subsidy / tax credit and how an […]
Terriann Presents to the Philadelphia Chapter of Women Presidents’ Organization!
As an area business owner herself, and an expert on Health Care Reform, Terriann Procida is honored to present “Health Care Reform: An Update on PPACA Since the Election” to the Philadelphia Chapter of Women Presidents’ Organization. The PPACA provisions present some challenges to employers in deciphering the new regulations and what steps they need […]
PPACA: What Do Employers Need To Do Between Now And January 2014?
The provisions associated with health care reform pose many questions for employers, most importantly, what do I need to do and when? Here is a checklist of items to cross off your list before January 2014: Calculate and pay the Patient Centered Outcome Fee if the plan is self-funded (insurers are responsible for calculating and […]
What Should Employers Already Be Doing To Comply With PPACA?
Plans: May not have a lifetime dollar maximum on any “essential health benefit” May not have an annual dollar limit on an “essential health benefit” that is over a certain amount Must cover the employee’s dependent children until the dependent reaches age 26 – even if the child is married or employed++ […]
