On May 10, 2018, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2018-30 setting dollar limitations for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2019. HSAs are subject to annual aggregate contribution limits (i.e., employee and dependent contributions plus employer contributions). HSA participants age 55 or older can contribute additional catch-up contributions. Additionally, in order … Continue Reading
In this episode of the Proskauer Benefits Brief, senior counsel Damian Myers and associate Liz Down examine the IRS’s enforcement of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility mandate. We discuss how the IRS is assessing penalties and offer tips on what employers can do when they receive assessment notices. Be sure to tune in for the … Continue Reading
On January 22, 2018 Congress passed (and the President signed) the Federal Register Printing Savings Act (the “Act”), which temporarily (until February 8, 2018) continued funding federal government activity and appropriates funds to various health-related programs (e.g., the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Medicaid, and childhood obesity programs). In addition to providing for appropriations, the Act … Continue Reading
Within the past few weeks, IRS officials have informally indicated that the IRS would begin assessing tax penalties under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility. The IRS has now updated its Questions and Answers on Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions under the Affordable Care Act (see Q&As 55-58) and has issued a form preliminary … Continue Reading
After months of failed attempts to pass any health care reform legislation, it appears efforts to pass a bipartisan bill to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are picking up steam. Below is a summary of regent health care reform developments.… Continue Reading
After health care reform efforts failed in late-Spring/early-Summer, things have been quiet. However, Congress returned to DC this week. Although legislative focus now appears to be on general tax reform, we expect some health care reform legislation (whether stand-alone or as part of tax reform) during the new session. Recent developments are provided below. Senator Hatch Introduces … Continue Reading
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered the EEOC to reconsider its final regulations on the extent to which an employer may offer incentives to participate in a wellness program without violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). The court, however, declined to vacate … Continue Reading
Below is a summary of significant health care reform developments over the past two weeks. GOP Repeal and Replace Efforts Stalled. After releasing a revised version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) on July 13, 2017, Senate Republican leadership pushed strongly for its passage. After the BCRA failed to get sufficient support, the Senate … Continue Reading
All eyes are on the Senate at the moment as efforts to round-up support for the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) continue. Developments over the past week are summarized below. On July 13, 2017, the Senate released a revised version of the BCRA in an effort to placate Senators who have been reluctant to support … Continue Reading
The chart below compares key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). This chart is current as of July 13, 2017, and as of that date, neither the AHCA nor the BCRA have been enacted. Health Care Reform Legislation Comparison Shared Responsibility … Continue Reading
On June 22, 2017, the Senate released its much anticipated health care reform legislation – the Better Care Reconciliation Act (“BCRA”) (linked to amended version released June 26, 2017). In many respects the BCRA is similar to the House of Representatives’ American Health Care Act (which was described in our March 9, 2017 and May … Continue Reading
The Senate’s health care reform bill was released today, and we will report on that separately. In the meantime, below are key health care reform developments from the week of June 12th. CMS Estimates Impact of the AHCA. The Office of the Chief Actuary at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a memorandum … Continue Reading
After a brief recess, Congress is back in session and health care reform negotiations continue. Below is a summary of a few, relatively minor, developments that took place during recess and the week of June 5th. Senate Optimism. Following closed-door meetings shortly after returning from recess, Senate Republicans indicated that progress had been made on … Continue Reading
Below are key health care reform developments from the week of May 22nd. CBO/JCT Estimate for AHCA Released. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) released an updated cost estimate for the American Health Care Act (“AHCA”). The latest estimate considered the AHCA as passed by the House of Representatives on … Continue Reading
On May 24, 2017, the Congressional Budget Office (“CBO”) and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (“JCT”) released a cost estimate for H.R. 1628, known as the American Health Care Act of 2017 (the “AHCA”). The CBO and the JCT issued cost estimates for prior versions of the AHCA on March 23, 2017 … Continue Reading
Below are key health care reform developments from the week of May 15th. ACA Repeal Efforts. Efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) continue despite slowing down as the House of Representatives’ American Health Care Act (AHCA) is being considered by the Senate. The Senate has formed a bipartisan working group to … Continue Reading
Efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) are in full swing as the U.S. Senate considers whether to modify the House of Representative’s American Health Care Act (“AHCA”) or draft its own ACA repeal legislation. In the meantime, employers and other plan sponsors are still required to comply with the ACA. To … Continue Reading
On May 4, 2017, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2017-37 setting dollar limitations for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2018. HSAs are subject to annual aggregate contribution limits (i.e., employee and dependent contributions plus employer contributions). HSA participants age 55 or older can contribute additional catch-up contributions. Additionally, in order … Continue Reading
Today, the House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (the “AHCA”). The AHCA was previously introduced in March but supporters failed to muster sufficient support to bring the legislation to a vote. Recently, however, the AHCA was given new life after House members agreed to an amendment that would allow states to waive … Continue Reading
The American Health Care Act (“AHCA”), the legislation intended to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), was shelved on Friday, March 24, 2017, ending for now efforts to repeal the ACA. The AHCA, described in our recent blog entry, was introduced on March 6, 2017 and immediately faced strong opposition from both sides … Continue Reading
On March 6, 2017, the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee released budget reconciliation recommendations that will, after mark-up beginning on March 8th, form the American Health Care Act (the “AHCA”). The AHCA is intended to be the law that “repeals and replaces” the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). The Ways and … Continue Reading
On February 27, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2017-20 delaying the notice requirement for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (“QSEHRAs”). By way of background, prior to enactment of the 21st Century Cures Act (“Cures Act”) in December 2016, the Affordable Care Act prohibited HRAs unless they were integrated with group health plans. … Continue Reading
Last week, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act (the “Cures Act”), which contains numerous provisions touching on a wide range of public health matters. Among the provisions is the creation of a new health benefit program available to small employers – the qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (“QSEHRA”). The purpose of the … Continue Reading
Today, the IRS announced (see Notice 2016-70) an extension to the distribution (but not filing) deadline for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements set forth in Sections 6055 and 6056 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Under Code Section 6055, health coverage providers are required to file with the IRS, and distribute to … Continue Reading
