Many employers are required to inform employees about the cost of employer-sponsored group health plan coverage. The aggregate value to employees of coverage must be reported in Box 12, Code DD of employees' Form W-2. An employer is not subject to the reporting requirement if the employer was required to file less than 250 Forms W-3 for the preceding calendar year. If the employer filed fewer than 250 Forms W-2 in 2014, the employer would not be required to report in 2015.
BAS’ W-2 Reporting tool allows employers to easily view the cost that should be reported for health coverage.
The reporting requirement applies to applicable employer-sponsored coverage. This is generally coverage under a group health plan that an employer makes available to an employee that is not taxable to the employee. Medical plan coverage is included in the report. Free-standing dental and visions plans are not subject to the reporting requirement if the plans are excepted from HIPAA; but dental and vision coverage coupled with the medical plan could be subject to the reporting requirement. Employers do not have to report the cost of an EAP, wellness program or on-site medical clinic if the employer would not charge a premium for the coverage to COBRA participants. Indemnity insurance paid with after-tax dollars does not have to be reported. Health flexible spending accounts funded with employee contributions, only, are not reported, but a reporting obligation may arise if an employer contributes to the FSA or otherwise provides flex-dollars through a Code section 125 plan. Employers may choose to include in the aggregate reportable cost the cost of coverage that is not required to be reported.
The aggregate reportable cost includes both the employer and employee-paid portion of coverage, regardless of whether the employee paid for that coverage through pre-tax or after-tax contributions. It includes the cost expended for coverage of the employee, as well as for any person covered under the plan because of a relationship to the employee (i.e., Employee coverage, as well as Dependent/Family coverage).
To access the Reporting Tool, log into MyEnroll.com as an administrator. Select “Report Generator” and select the W-2 reporting option.
