THE ACCIDENTAL ENTREPRENEUR PART V video
THE ACCIDENTAL ENTREPRENEUR PART V Podcast
When it comes to pre-tax savings for qualifying medical expenses, employers have several options available to offer employees. Two of the more popular options are health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement...more
On November 9,2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2023-34, which increases the health flexible spending account (FSA) salary reduction contribution limit to $3,200 for plan years beginning in...more
On December 30, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a temporary enforcement policy and guidance regarding group health plan service provider disclosures under section 408(b)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income...more
In an earlier post we reviewed the end dates for the ARP COBRA premium subsidy provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP”), and addressed the required expiration notice. This post revisits the topic in light of...more
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides temporary COBRA continuation coverage premium assistance for certain eligible qualified beneficiaries. On April 7, 2021, the Department of Labor issued a FAQ and model...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS has announced the adjustments to key limits for certain health and welfare benefit programs, including HDHP deductibles, HSA and FSA contributions, and other fringe benefit options for 2021....more
On Thursday, February 20, 2020, the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance issued a bulletin clarifying the applicability of Texas’ small and large employer health plan laws and regulations to individual coverage...more
As we previously reported, on June 13, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury (collectively, the “Departments”) issued a coordinated set of final regulations (“final rules”) permitting employers...more
On September 30th, the IRS issued proposed regulations that establish safe harbors for compliance with the employer mandate in the context of individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (or “ICHRAs”). These proposed...more
As reported in our November 7, 2018 SW Benefits Blog Zombie Benefits – Are Health Reimbursement Arrangements (“HRAs”) Back From the Dead?, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury (the “Agencies”)...more
The Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services have released final rules removing the prohibition on pairing HRAs with individual health policies. The final rules also allow certain HRAs and other...more
Starting in 2020, employers will be able to offer health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) that work in conjunction with individual coverage or Medicare without running afoul of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) market reform...more
On June 13, the Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services jointly released final regulations dealing with health reimbursement accounts (“HRAs”). These regulations fulfill the Trump administration’s...more
On June 13, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of the Treasury (Treasury Department) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (collectively, the “Departments”)...more
One potentially unintended consequence of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was the demise of the average health reimbursement account (HRA). Such benefits were seen to violate the ACA prohibitions on annual and lifetime limits,...more
A triumvirate of agencies is bringing a fresh set of health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) to the table for 2020. Our Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group breaks down the nuances between the new individual...more
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (or “HRAs”) are employer-funded, account-based group health plans, which are used to reimburse certain medical expenses incurred by eligible employees, their spouses, and their dependents....more
Annually, the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation adjust for cost-of-living increases certain limitations that impact employee benefit plans. These...more
Takeaway Message: Except in limited circumstances, current regulatory guidance prohibits an employer from maintaining a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) that reimburses the cost of premiums for individual health...more
The Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) has not been kind to health reimbursement arrangements (“HRAs”). Many employers got rid of HRAs, or integrated them with a major medical plan, in order to avoid significant penalties under the...more
Under a proposed rule that the Department of Labor (DOL), Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) jointly issued on October 29, 2018, employers may soon have more flexibility to fund...more
Proposed IRS and DOL regulations have been issued expanding permitted uses for health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). These proposals follow recent regulations on association health plans, both stemming from President...more
Agencies Propose HRA Expansion. On October 23, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposed regulation to expand the use of health...more
Employee benefit plan drafters frequently complete plan documents for their client’s use assuming that the document’s status as an employee benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (‘‘ERISA’’) or...more
Periodically, the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation adjust for cost-of-living increases certain limitations that impact employee benefit plans. These...more