The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld a rule that expanded the maximum length of time for short-term, limited duration insurance (STLDI). STLDI is coverage that lasts a limited period of time and is exempt from many of the requirements that apply to plans in the individual health insurance market. Concerned that STLDI [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services have jointly issued final rules modifying the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI). STLDI provides health coverage that is intended to be transitional in nature. It is not regarded as individual health insurance or minimum essential coverage and is exempt from certain Affordable [&hellip… Continue Reading »
In recently issued guidance, the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services indicated that they will indefinitely extend relief to colleges and universities that subsidize the cost of individual insurance premiums for student employees. Under previously issued guidance, a health reimbursement arrangement or other program that pays some or all of the premium [&hellip… Continue Reading »
In recent guidance, the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Labor , and Health and Human Services have extended transitional relief to colleges and universities that subsidize the cost of individual insurance premiums for student employees. Under previously issued guidance, a health reimbursement arrangement or other program that pays some or all of the premium for individual [&hellip… Continue Reading »
Following up on the issuance of final regulations on various market reform provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the IRS has issued a notice with Questions and Answers that take a more detailed look at specific ACA issues. In particular, this notice addresses: Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). The guidance confirms that retiree-only HRAs may [&hellip… Continue Reading »
In a recent notice, the Internal Revenue Service has tempered prior guidance that closed the door on employer arrangements for paying the cost of individual health insurance for employees. The IRS still views these premium reimbursement arrangements as group health plans that fail to meet the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibition against annual dollar limits [&hellip… Continue Reading »
If you sponsor or administer a group health plan, you are almost certainly taking steps to prepare for legal requirements that will become effective on or before January 1, 2015. New rules under HIPAA, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other laws will affect your plans. As we pass the midpoint of 2014, it is [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services have issued additional guidance on the Affordable Care Act. The guidance primarily takes the form of a new set of frequently asked questions(FAQs). The new FAQs address a variety of subjects, including: Postponement of the March 1, 2013, effective date to begin distributing [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued two sets of proposed regulations issued under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that will affect the design, availability, and cost of health insurance plans, primarily in the individual and small group markets. Most significantly, HHS has published proposed regulations defining the “essential health benefits” [&hellip… Continue Reading »
On February 17, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a set of FAQs concerning the Essential Health Benefits Bulletin it issued on December 16, 2011. The FAQs offer new guidance and raise new questions about the scope of what is considered an essential health benefit (EHB) for purposes of applying [&hellip… Continue Reading »
Although the pace of new legislation affecting health and other welfare benefits has slowed after the first two years of the Obama Administration, plan sponsors will find no shortage of developments to monitor and implement in 2012. This alert provides a very brief review of recent developments and matters to watch in the new calendar [&hellip… Continue Reading »
Continuing the furious pace with which it has been issuing health care reform guidance, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has indicated that all health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) that were in effect before September 23, 2010, are exempt from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s prohibition against annual limits for plan [&hellip… Continue Reading »
On June 17, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new procedures for health plans with limited benefits (including so-called “mini-med” plans) to obtain temporary waivers of the restrictions on annual dollar limits that were imposed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Employers may adopt mini-med and similar health [&hellip… Continue Reading »
The U.S. Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services have jointly released regulations that address several requirements established by the recent health care reform legislation. Most of the changes addressed by the regulations apply to plan years beginning on and after September 23, 2010. For calendar year plans, the rules take effect January [&hellip… Continue Reading »
