Category: Affordable Care Act

Key HR Focus Areas for Success in a Complex Landscape

In the complex and ever-evolving landscape of Human Resources (HR), staying compliant with regulations and best practices is a key HR focus area for HR Professionals. HR professionals play a critical role in ensuring that their department adheres to legal requirements, fosters a positive work environment, and contributes to an organization’s success. In this article, […]

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Year-End HR Compliance Checklist

It’s the end of the year and having a year-end HR compliance checklist is a crucial tool to ensure that your organization is meeting all legal and regulatory requirements related to human resources. Below is a checklist that covers various HR compliance areas for the end of the year. Employment Records and Documentation Make sure […]

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Affordable Care Act (ACA) Reporting Year-end Guidance

As we approach year’s end, employers must be diligent in ensuring compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements. The ACA demands meticulous record-keeping and reporting, leaving no room for error. Failure to do so can lead to significant penalties and fines: The following are tasks designed to help you navigate the regulatory landscape […]

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IRS Sets 2024 ACA Affordability Guidelines

As 2024 open enrollment approaches, employers need to note a crucial update in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affordability guidelines, as outlined in the recently published IRS Revenue Procedure 2023-29. The ACA affordability threshold is being reduced to 8.39% for 2024, down from 9.12% in 2023. This adjustment means the maximum premium Applicable Large Employers […]

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PCORI Fees: Who, What, When and How?

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee is an essential component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance structure. Understanding what PCORI fees are, who needs to file, when it needs to be filed, the rate at which it needs to be paid, and the form on which it is filed is integral to maintaining […]

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New E-File Requirements Affect Affordable Care Act Reporting

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service that will affect how businesses submit their informational returns to the IRS. These regulations will require certain filers to e-file beginning in 2024. The new rules, T.D. 9972, affect filers of partnership returns, corporate income tax returns, unrelated business income tax returns, withholding tax returns, certain […]

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Final Forms & ACA Instructions For 2022

Final Forms and Instructions for 2022 ACA Reporting Updates to 2022 ACA forms and instructions The 2022 forms are essentially unchanged from the prior year. The instructionshave been updated to include the permanent, 30-day automatic extension oftime for furnishing statements to individuals under Sections 6055 and 6056.Due to this extension, individual statements for 2022 must […]

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2023 ACA Compliance Checklist

ACA Requirement Changes Taking Effect in 2023 Changes to some ACA requirements will take effect in 2023 for employers sponsoring group health plans. To prepare for 2023, employers should review these requirements and develop a compliance strategy. Employers should ensure that their health plan documents, including the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC), are updated […]

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ACA Pay or Play Affordability Percentage Decreased for 2023

On Aug. 1, 2022, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2022-34 to index the contribution percentages in 2023 for determining the affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2023, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable if the employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage does not exceed: 9.12% […]

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DHS Proposed Rule Would Amend Section 1557 Sex Discrimination Regulations

On July 25, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule that would revise existing regulations for the Section 1557 nondiscrimination protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The proposed rule is intended to solidify protections against discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity. About the ACA […]

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ACA Sets Due Date Of Aug 1,2022 For PCORI Fees

PCORI Fees Due Aug. 1, 2022 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). The fees are reported and paid annually using IRS Form 720 (Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return). Issuers and plan sponsors are generally required to pay the PCORI fees annually […]

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I Missed My ACA Deadline, Now What?

If you did not file your 1094/1095 forms with the IRS or furnish the 1095 forms to your employees, it is important to file and furnish them as soon as possible. Get with an HR Expert to assist you in ACA reporting after the deadline.

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ALERT: March 2022 ACA Deadlines Are Here!

The landmark health care reform legislation enacted in March 2010 was designed to expand the availability of health insurance, reform the regulation of health coverage and restructure its delivery.  A key component—and a key cause of confusion—within the ACA is the employer mandate, which requires employers with 50 or more full-time or full-time equivalent (FTE) […]

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Don’t Be Late. Extended 2022 ACA Deadline To Keep In Mind

Update, January, 2022 – The deadline for ACA reporting forms to employers has been extended but with all of the busy new year HR tasks, it will be important to keep this deadline on your radar. Late or inaccurate forms could lead the IRS to notify an employer that it may be liable for a penalty […]

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Final 2021 Forms For ACA Reporting Released

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final 2021 forms for reporting under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. 2021 Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are the forms that will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC), including self-insured plan sponsors that are not applicable large employers (ALEs), to report under Section 6055. 2021 Forms 1094-C and 1095-C are the forms […]

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2021 ACA Violations & Penalties For Employers

Failing to comply with the ACA’s requirements can cause severe consequences for an employer. This ACA Overview (PDF) summarizes the penalties and excise taxes that may be triggered by an ACA violation. Click the document below to enlarge and print.

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2022 ACA Compliance Overview

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made a number of significant changes to group health plans since the law was enacted in 2010. Since then, several changes have been made to various ACA requirements that employers and plan sponsors should be aware of. It is important for employers to periodically review their benefit plans in order to maintain compliance with these various requirements.

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Understanding Forms 1095A, B & C For ACA Reporting

A number of changes were introduced to the health insurance marketplace with the passage of the ACA in 2010. From different reporting forms and health insurance plan requirements to the penalties imposed on employers for failing to comply with the Employer Mandate — The ACA created unique responsibilities for employers, health insurance carriers, and individuals alike. One of the ACA’s unique requirements from a reporting perspective relates to the different Forms 1095. The following information and take the confusion out of these forms.

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Early Is The New On-Time For ACA Reporting Preparation

It’s not too late to prepare for ACA filing and These Resources Can Help You Prepare for 2022 ACA Reporting. 2021 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Reporting is Due in Early 2022 The IRS has released draft 2021 versions of Forms 1094-C, 1095-C, 1094-B and 1095-B that employers will use in early 2022 to report under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and […]

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PCORI Fees Now Due August 2, 2021 Instead of July 31.

This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).  Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2021 deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).  As background, the […]

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IRS Update: ACA Forms for 2021 Reporting

IRS Draft Forms For 2021 ACA Reporting Released The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released draft 2021 forms for reporting under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. 2021 draft Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are draft versions of forms that will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC), including self-insured plan sponsors that […]

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HHS Announces New Interpretation of Section 1557 Sex Discrimination

On May 10, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a notice announcing that, effective immediately, it will now interpret and enforce the prohibitions on discrimination based on sex under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to include: Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; and Discrimination on the basis […]

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President Biden Extends ACA Special Enrollment Period

ACA Special Enrollment Period Into August President Joe Biden’s administration recently extended access to the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to Aug. 15, from the previously announced end date of May 15.   This direction comes after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opened this SEP for […]

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2021 ACA Reporting Deadlines

Affordable Care Act reporting deadlines for the 2020 calendar year are due in early 2021. Learn about this, furnishing deadlines, and penalties for not meeting requirements.

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The Biden Administration Will Impact HR and the Workplace

New administration means changes to the HR landscape Each presidential transition brings changes to the HR landscape. When President Donald Trump took office in 2016, he overturned or revised many of his predecessor’s federal regulations, a common trend between administrations of opposing parties. It is also something likely to continue under President-elect Joe Biden. With […]

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Podcast: CA vs. TX Supreme Court Case — ACA in the future

  NEW! MyHRBuzz – The Podcast In this episode, we visit with Misty Baker, Director of Compliance and Governmental Affairs for BenefitMall. We will discuss the upcoming CA vs. TX Supreme Court case and how it could potentially affect the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and healthcare going forward. Subscribe and look for more episodes soon! […]

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Final Forms and Instructions for 2020 ACA Reporting

Final Forms and Instructions for 2020 ACA Reporting Released The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final 2020 forms and instructions for reporting under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. 2020 Form 1094-B and Form 1095-B (and related instructions) will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC), including self-insured plan sponsors that […]

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A Helpful 2021 ACA Compliance Checklist

Affordable Care Act: 2021 Compliance Checklist The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made a number of significant changes to group health plans since the law was enacted in 2010. Since that time, a number of changes have been made to various ACA requirements that employers and plan sponsors should be aware of. It is important […]

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Supreme Court Vacancy May Affect ACA Litigation

On Sept. 18, 2020, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away at the age of 87. Whether the Court vacancy created by Justice Ginsburg’s death should be filled prior to the November election is the subject of much controversy. Under federal law, the President is responsible for nominating a new Supreme Court Justice […]

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ACA Compliance During COVID-19

The Look-back Measurement Method and COVID-19 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires applicable large employers (ALEs) to offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to their full-time employees or possibly pay a penalty. This employer mandate is also known as the “employer shared responsibility” or “pay or play” rules. ALEs can use one of two methods […]

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Cadillac Tax and Other Key ACA Taxes Repealed

2020 Fees Repealed Under the Affordable Care Act On Dec. 20, 2019, President Trump signed into law a spending bill that prevents a government shutdown and repeals the following three taxes and fees under the Affordable Care Act (ACA): The Cadillac tax on high-cost group health coverage, beginning in 2020; The medical devices excise tax, […]

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Affordable Care Act News Update

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard arguments on a lower court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act. Find out where the ACA currently stands and if your business needs to continue to comply with the law.

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ICHRA: New HRA Option Benefits Small to Medium Businesses

The ICHRA provides employers a way to offer health care benefits to employees that do not count toward their taxable wages. The option also provides smaller employers a way to offer insurance without the administrative burden of offering a traditional medical plan.

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ALERT: ACA Remains in Effect Despite Justice Department Announcement

DoJ Support of Federal Judge’s Ruling Leaves ACA Requirements Unchanged Despite the March 25th announcement that the U.S. Department of Justice is upholding a Texas federal judge’s ruling that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional, the ACA currently remains in effect. DoJ Filing with Court of Appeals On December 14, 2018, district court judge Reed […]

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ALERT: ACA Reporting Deadlines Approaching

Form 1095-C Due to Employees by March 4 All Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) must comply with 2018 Affordable Care Act (ACA) filing requirements according to Internal Revenue Service deadlines. The IRS deadline for providing 2018 health coverage 1095-C forms to employees is March 4, 2019. Other crucial ACA filing deadlines include filing Forms 1095-C and […]

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The Shelby Report: Believing ACA Rumors Can Be Costly

Believing rumors about The Affordable Care Act can be costly for grocers. For example, many companies mistakenly believed that ACA wouldn’t be enforced, but the IRS has recently started sending out penalty letters for the 2015 tax year. We have heard of penalties ranging from $40,000 to upwards of $2 million.

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The Shelby Report: ACA Non-Compliance Not Worth the Risk

Editor’s note: HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. The Employer Shared Responsibility Provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) penalizes employers who either do not offer (healthcare) coverage or do not offer coverage which meets minimum value and affordability standards. These penalties apply to firms with […]

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President Signs Executive Order in Attempt to Weaken Affordable Care Act

The President signed an Executive Order with the intent to bring sweeping changes to the health insurance industry. The Executive Order focuses on three primary areas: Expanding Association Health Plans (AHP) Within 60 days from the date of the Executive Order, the Secretary of Labor shall consider proposing regulations or revising guidance to expand access to  AHPs. […]

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