On March 23, 2021, President Joe Biden and his administration reported that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is extending the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) — which was originally available through May 15, 2021 —for an additional three months, allowing eligible individuals to enroll in …
On March 29, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2021-21, which extends tax deadlines to May 17, 2021 for individuals filing Form 1040 series returns and making 2020 IRA and HSA contributions. This decision follows a previous announcement from the IRS declaring that the federal income tax filing …
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a notice intended to clarify the application of temporary special rules for health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and dependent care assistant program (DCAP) accounts under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). Health FSAs and DCAPs are accounts individuals can make pre-tax contributions to, …
The Biden administration has told the Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  In a letter to the Supreme Court, Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler clarified that the current U.S. Department of Justice views the ACA as constitutional. “Following the change in administration, the Department of Justice …
For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, employers may offer HRAs integrated with individual health insurance coverage or Medicare, subject to certain conditions. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently provided two additional codes from Code Series 1 that can be used on Form 1095-C, line 14, for …
President Joe Biden recently signed two executive actions aiming to strengthen Americans’ access to affordable healthcare and expand enrollment opportunities. It is one of Biden’s first several moves toward delivering on his campaign’s promise to bolster the landmark health reform law that he formerly advocated for as Vice President. The …
To maintain their deterrent effect each year, the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, requires the Department to annually adjust its civil monetary penalty levels for inflation no later than January 15th. The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its 2021 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties that may be …
Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting deadlines are approaching soon under Section 6055 and Section 6056 for the 2020 calendar year. Reporting entities must: File returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by March 1, 2021. If filing electronically, the deadline to file returns is March 31, 2021; and Furnish statements …
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published its proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022. The proposed rule describes benefit and payment parameters under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that would be applied to the 2022 benefit year. The rule also implements a limited number …
Between the COVID-19 pandemic, debates over the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and various approaches on future public health strategies, healthcare was a core element of Joe Biden’s campaign for the U.S. presidency. With that being said, employers can begin to plan and strategize about how President-elect Joe Biden and Vice …
On December 11, 2020, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury announced a final rule that provides greater flexibility for grandfathered plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The final rule succeeds a proposed rule that was issued in July 2020. What is a …
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued a letter stating that employees may apply unused commuter transit benefit amounts to parking benefits in certain circumstances. The letter was presented in response to a question from an employee who, due to COVID-19, opted to drive to work instead of using public …
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and plan sponsors of self-insured health plans to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The PCORI fee was originally scheduled to expire for plan or policy years ending on or after October 1, 2019. However, a …
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a dollar limit on employees’ salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending accounts, or FSAs, offered under cafeteria plans. For 2020, the health FSA limit on employees’ pre-tax contributions increased by $50 — from $2,700 to $2,750. On October 27, 2020, the Internal Revenue …
From payments to policies, to prescriptions and rising healthcare costs, the outcome of the 2020 presidential election will influence the future of the U.S. healthcare system. As we approach the 2020 presidential election, healthcare is definitely top of mind for Americans. According to a recent poll by the Kaiser Family …
