April 11, 2018
Compliance Recap | March 2018
March was a quiet month in the employee benefits world. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a bulletin that lowered the family contribution limit for health savings account (HSA) contributions. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated its model Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and ...
April 2, 2018
DOL Issues Final Regulations Regarding Association Health Plans
On June 19, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published Frequently Asked Questions About Association Health Plans (AHPs) and issued a final rule that broadens the definition of “employer” and the provisions under which an employer group or association may be treated as an ...
April 1, 2018
Self-Funded Plans
Ever since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted eight years ago, many employers have examined and re-examined employee benefits in an effort to manage costs, navigate changing regulations, and expand their plan options. It’s important to find a solution that both benefits the employee and ...
March 9, 2018
Compliance Recap | February 2018
February was a quiet month in the employee benefits world. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated its Questions and Answers about Information Reporting by Employers on Form 1094-C and Form 1095-C, its Questions and Answers on Information Reporting by Health Coverage Providers, and its ...
February 14, 2018
Compliance Recap | January 2018
January was a busy month in the employee benefits world. On January 24, 2018, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alex Azar as the new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed regulations regarding association health plans. HHS ...
January 5, 2018
Compliance Alert | IRS Delay in 6055 and 6056 Reporting for 2018
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), individuals are required to have health insurance, while applicable large employers (ALEs) are required to offer health benefits to their full-time employees. In order for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify that (1) ...
November 21, 2017
If You’re Sorry and You Know It, Then Say So!
I hate the “non-apology apology” because it neither conveys remorse, nor an acceptance of responsibility, but it somehow makes the person saying it seem sincere. A common example is when someone says, “I’d like to apologize to anyone who was offended.” An individual who says this not only ...
November 16, 2017
Compliance Recap | October 2017
October was a busy month in the employee benefits world. President Trump announced a new Acting Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Eric Hargan fills the position vacated by Tom Price, who resigned in late September 2017. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ...
October 19, 2017
Advocacy in Action | Claims Assistance with Emergency Room Bills
A member received two bills from an emergency room service provider totaling $844. One bill was for the emergency room facility charges and the other was for the emergency room physician. The member did not know what to do and contacted Purple Card for assistance. Her Patient Advocate reviewed ...
October 11, 2017
IRS Releases Final Forms and Instructions for 2017 ACA Reporting | Brinson Compliance
Background Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), individuals are required to have health insurance while applicable large employers (ALEs) are required to offer health benefits to their full-time employees. Reporting is required by employers with 50 or more full-time (or ...
