Author: Ed MacConnell

Starting in 2014, most people must have health coverage or pay a fee (the “individual shared responsibility payment”). You can get an exemption in certain cases. Exemptions from the payment Under certain circumstances, you won’t have to make the individual responsibility payment. This is called an “exemption.” Click the link below to learn more about exemptions from the payment. The Shared Responsibility Payment-Exemptions

Yesterday, the Department of Treasury announced a major policy change that will impact Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans. In what is being hailed as a hugely positive development for administrators, employers, and FSA participants, the Treasury has modified the “use it or lose it” provision to allow for a limited rollover of FSA funds. Details are as follows: Effective for the 2014 plan year, employers will have the option to allow FSA plan participants to roll over up to $500 of unused funds at the end of the plan year. Effective immediately, employers with an FSA plan that does not include a grace period will have the option to allow… Read More

Despite President Obama’s assurance that the troubled HealthCare.gov website is currently undergoing fixes, Consumer Reports is suggesting people “stay away” from the federal online marketplace for another month. Click the link below to read the story: http://rt.com/usa/consumer-reports-obamacare-site-557/

Just in case you thought you missed something, we have compiled this collection  featuring of our compliance bulletins from January to October 2013. This is meant as a resource for you, our client to have all of this information in one place.  Click here for more information or to download the document.

Reports Of Troubles Surrounding HealthCare.gov Piling Up. This Report from NAHU.org Reports continue to pile up of growing troubles surrounding healthcare.gov, the Federally-run insurance marketplace set up under the Affordable Care Act which opened for enrollment October 1. Whether technical, financial, or political, the issues will likely be brought to the forefront as the budget negotiations fade from view. Thursday night, NBC Nightly News reported, “Had it not been for the government shutdown becoming our lead story for these past 16 days and nights, it may well have been Obamacare and the incredibly rocky rollout for the Federal government’s healthcare website.” The report continued, “Some Republicans are saying the Secretary… Read More

We are pleased to help our clients get enrolled and compare plans on the new health insurance marketplace. However please follow the instructions below so that we can assist you. Please note that we will not have access to your record to work with you if you do not complete the registration properly. The agent/broker should work with the consumer to make sure that the consumer enters the agent’s/broker’s identifying information, including National Producer Number (NPN), so that the FFM can associate the transaction with the agent/broker so that an issuer may facilitate compensation. Log in at http://www.healthcare.gov and register… When the consumer is logged in to the healthcare.gov page,… Read More

Health insurance exchanges open, users can’t get in Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/health/healthcare-exchange/Health_insurance_exchanges_open_users_cant_get_in.html#2x1EoEfcyXeZyOyb.99

At the end of the day today, health insurance as we have known it will begin it’s final lap. When  the clock turns to 12:01 AM tomorrow, October 1st 2013 a new era begins. With effective dates of January 1st 2014, the new healthcare marketplaces will open online for consumers, and on paper for small businesses. Available will be plans from multiple insurers in each state, with more to come in the future. The most important differences will be that all plans will cover pre-existing conditions. No applicants will be turned away because of their current health conditions, or ones in the past. New rating methodologies will change which will… Read More

MARC LEVY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS POSTED: Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 12:47 PM HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania residents who buy health insurance in the federally run online marketplace that opens next week will pay below the national average, and the state ranks 10th-lowest out of 47 for which data were available, according to figures released by the Obama administration Wednesday Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/health/healthcare-exchange/20130925_ap_a538678248dd48d4a01aeac5a317bd89.html#FC6ES4fPLzY6X3Ve.99   click here to read the story

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS September 25, 2013 • Reprints TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A report out Wednesday from the federal government finds that health insurance prices on New Jersey’s exchange will be among the most expensive in the country for those without subsidies. The report from the federal Department of Health and Human Services comes less than a week before the launch of the state health exchanges that are a key element of President Barack Obama’s health insurance overhaul. The idea is that the exchange offers otherwise uninsured people a way to get their own insurance, in many cases with a federal subsidies. Residents will be able to sign up for coverage… Read More

In June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. This opened the door for federal recognition of same-sex marriages in states that recognize such unions. The Obama administration has pledged a thorough and expedited review of federal laws, including federal benefit laws. We expect the agencies to release guidance soon with regard to various health and welfare compliance requirements associated with the tax guidance, potentially including, but not limited to, COBRA qualified beneficiary determinations, Form W-2 reporting changes, plan document, SPD and cafeteria plan document amendments, open enrollment and new hire packet language changes, etc. Click here to download… Read More