Archive for the ‘BAS Weekly Newsletters’ Category
Question of the Week
Q.- I am working for a company that established business on February 2, 2012. The company has 50 employees. If I am terminated from group health plan coverage in December, will I be offered the right to continue my coverage under COBRA?
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Additional Guidance on the New Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC)
The Employee Benefits Security Administration issued additional guidance on the new Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) that must be distributed beginning September 2012 in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. The SBC is intended to enable consumers to easily understand their health coverage and determine the best health insurance options for themselves and their families.
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Limits on HDHP/HSA Plan Structures
The IRS announced new inflation-adjusted Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limits and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) limits for 2013. Employers offering HSAs and HDHPs should make sure that plans and systems account for the new limits.
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Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Values Increased for 2013
Employers sponsoring group health plans that offer prescription drug coverage to individuals eligible for Medicare Part D (generally those age 65 and older, including active employees, retirees, COBRA participants, and dependents) must disclose to those individuals whether the group health plan coverage is creditable or non-crediable. CMS updated the parameters for determining if coverage is creditable or non-creditable.
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Regulations Require Unique Health Plan Identification Number
The Department of Health and Human Services issued a proposed rule under health care reform that, if finalized, would require health plans to maintain a unique health plan identifier number (HPID). The HPID is intended to reduce plan administrative issues by making it easier to identify the parties involved in electronic health plan transactions.
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Question of the Week
Q.- My doctor suggested that I get a massage to help my lower back pain. Can I get reimbursed from my health FSA for the cost of the massage?
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Question of the Week
Q- We have an Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) with a wrap that supplements CMS Medicare prescription drug coverage. Should we offer a COBRA coverage election for the wrap portion of the EGWP?
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Criminal Background Checks May Violate EEOC Policy
Employers may wish to review their pre-employment background check policies in light of new guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC suggests that criminal background checks may have a disparate impact on individuals and violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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Employer Pay-Or-Play: Determination of Minimum Value for Employer Health Coverage
Beginning in 2014, certain large employers will be assessed a penalty if any of the employer’s full-time employees receives a premium tax credit to purchase coverage through an Exchange. An employee will be eligible for a premium tax credit if the employer’s health plan coverage is either unaffordable or does not provide minimum value. The IRS released a notice describing potential approaches for determining if employer group health coverage provides minimum value for purposes of health care reform.
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Question of the Week
Q.- We are a small Pennsylvania employer with 10 employees. We are not subject to federal COBRA, but we do have to comply with PA mini-COBRA. Do we have to offer a COBRA continuation coverage election to our employees with a Medicare supplement policy who have a qualifying event?
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