Health Reform: Individual Responsibility Changes for 2015

Ed MacConnell

Individual Shared Responsibility Payment Amounts for 2014 and 2015 Tax Years The amount of the individual shared responsibility payment increases between 2014 and 2015. 2014: The annual individual shared responsibility payment is the greater of 1% of the taxpayer’s household income that is above the tax return filing threshold for the taxpayer’s filing status, or The taxpayer’s flat dollar amount, which is $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, limited to a family maximum of $285. However the total payment amount is capped at the cost of the national average premium for a Bronze level health plan available through the Marketplaces in 2014. 2015: The annual individual responsibility payment is… Read More

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FMLA Proposed Rules To Recognize Same Sex Regardless of Residency

Ed MacConnell

FMLA Proposed Rules To Recognize Same Sex Regardless of Residency  The DOL is proposing to amend the regulatory definition of  “spouse” under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) so that “spouse” for purposes of FMLA rights would include a same-sex spouse, regardless of where the employee  and spouse live. This means the “place of celebration” will determine whether an individual is a spouse under FMLA, rather than the current rule which uses the “state of residence,” which recognizes a spouse under the law of the  state in which the couple resides. Click the link to download the bulletin: 070714-P-ERC-FMLA_Proposed_Rules (1) Please contact you Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if… Read More

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IRS: Further Guidance on Employer Payment Plans

Ed MacConnell

New Guidance on Employer Payment Plans The IRS issued an FAQ addressing the potential consequences of an arrangement where an employer reimburses employees for the purchase of individual health insurance premiums on a tax-favored basis (referred to as an “employer payment plan”). For this purpose, individual health insurance premiums includes individual coverage purchased either inside or outside of the Health Insurance Marketplace. The FAQ follows up on earlier guidance describing these types of arrangements (Notice 2013-54). Click the link for more information: 060214_P_ERC_Employer_Payment_Plans (1)

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Total Benefit Solutions to partner with ThinkHR

Ed MacConnell

        In another effort to enhance our client experience and bring value to our small business clients, Total Benefit Solutions is proud to announce that we have entered into an agreement to provide Think       HR. Soon our clients will get an introductory e-mail with instructions on how to access their complimentary ThinkHR account. We expect to have this resource available to our clients in September 2014, just in time for this year’s open enrollment period!   Think HR will help our clients: Stay up to date with the latest news and resources Remain compliant with best practices from HR professionals Build tools like job… Read More

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Horizon: Changes to 2015 MOOP’s

Ed MacConnell

Changes to Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all non-grandfathered group health plans regardless of size or funding arrangement, must comply with annual limits on out-of-pocket maximums for in-network covered services that are Essential Health Benefits (EHB)1. These out-of-pocket maximums are also known as a plan’s maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). Click the link to download the full notice: Changes_to_MOOP_Limits Please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns.

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What is HR360?

Ed MacConnell

What is HR360? HR360 is the premier online human resources library that features the most current federal and state laws for health care reform, COBRA, FMLA, and hiring and terminating employees. Clients of Total Benefit Solutions have HR360 as a complimentary resource. Watch this short video below and ask us today for your free trial membership, or how your organization can benefit from using Total Benefit Solutions Inc., and HR360. Call us for more information at 1(800)924-6718.

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U.S. Supreme Court Contraceptive Ruling

Ed MacConnell

In a 5-4 decision that was described by one of the dissenting Justices as a “decision of startling breadth”, the Supreme Court has ruled in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. that closely held for-profit corporations are not compelled to provide contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act’s preventive care mandate if they object to that coverage on religious grounds. The decision is a “win” for Hobby Lobby who had challenged the contraceptive mandate saying it forced them to either violate their faith or pay fines.   Click here to download the bulletin

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Health Care Reform Updates: Updated Model COBRA Election Notice

Ed MacConnell

    Updated Model COBRA Election Notice Includes Information Regarding Health Insurance Exchanges Revised Notice Informs Individuals of New Coverage Alternatives A revised Model COBRA Election Notice  is now available for group health plans to inform eligible employees and dependents of the right to continuation of coverage under federal law and how to make an election when a qualifying event occurs. The updated model notice includes information regarding coverage alternatives that will be available through the new Health Insurance Exchanges (also known as Marketplaces).   COBRA Election Notice Requirement COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) generally applies to group health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or employees (including both full-… Read More

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Comparative Effectiveness Fee Reminder

Ed MacConnell

The Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee is now known as the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fee. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Act) imposes a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee, formerly the comparative effectiveness research fee, on plan sponsors and issuers of individual and group policies. The first year of the fee is $1 per covered life per year, the second year the fee adjusts to $2 per covered life and then it’s indexed to national health expenditures thereafter until it ends in 2019. Click here to download this bulleting regarding the timely payment of the fees.   Purpose of the Fee The assessed fees are to… Read More

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19th Set of FAQ’s Released on Affordable Care Act

Ed MacConnell

Frequently asked questions (“FAQs”), prepared jointly by the Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and the Treasury (collectively, the “Departments”),were issued with respect to various Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) requirements, including their effect on COBRA and CHIPRA notices…Topics Include:   Updated COBRA And CHIPRA Notices Out-Of-Pocket Maximum Requirements Generic Drugs Balance Billing Reference-Based Pricing Coverage Of Preventive Services Health FSA Carryover And Excepted Benefits Effect of Carryover on Excepted Benefits Determination Summary Of Benefits And Coverage   Click here to download the bulletin from our partners at Emerson Reid.  

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Nuts and Bolts of the Small Employer Tax Credit

Ed MacConnell

This presentation is intended to convey general information about the employer health care tax credit under the affordable care act and is not an exhaustive analysis. Information contained in this presentation may change as guidance develops. Total Benefit Solutions inc and  Emerson Reid do not provide legal or tax advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult an attorney or other professional.   Click here to download “nuts and bolts” Download Small Business Health Care Tax Credit FAQ’sFAQs

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Informal Guidance Clarifies Rules HSA Eligibility and Health FSA Carryovers

Ed MacConnell

Near the end of 2013, the IRS issued Notice 2013-47 that permits a cafeteria plan to provide for the use of up to $500 of any unused amount remaining in the health FSA in the immediately following plan year (the “carryover” provision). This provision is optional, requires a plan amendment, and cannot be offered if the cafeteria plan allows a grace period. One of the outstanding questions around the carryover provision is the effect it has on HSA eligibility. Recently, the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service issued a memorandum that informally addresses the interaction of the carryover on HSA eligibility and provides some solutions that may allow an individual retain… Read More

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Health Reform: Find out if You Qualify for a Health Insurance Coverage Exemption

Ed MacConnell

The Affordable Care Act calls for individuals to have qualifying health insurance coverage for each month of the year, have an exemption, or make a shared responsibility payment when filing his or her federal income tax return.   You may be exempt from the requirement to maintain qualifying health insurance coverage, called minimum essential coverage, and may not have to make a shared responsibility payment when you file your next federal income tax return. You may be exempt if you: Have no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount you must pay for the annual premiums is more than eight percent of your household income, Have a gap in coverage… Read More

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