ACA/Health Reform
6 ways to plan for a bright future beyond renewals
Ed Ligonde, Eric Silverman | January 24, 2024 6 ways to plan for a bright future beyond renewals Employee benefit brokers play a pivotal role in helping organizations provide competitive and comprehensive benefits to their employees. However, there is a common misconception that producers’ duties end with annual renewals in a mad dash to the Q4 finish line — now in our
Annual Employee Benefits Compliance Responsibilities On January 1st
December 5, 2023 | Source: Word & Brown, by Paul Roberts The start of each year marks an important date for employers as they face annual compliance responsibilities related to their health plans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and COBRA. Staying on top of these regulations is crucial for compliance and to avoid significant non-compliance penalties. Benefits advisors and insurance brokers play a
Question: Are we required to update our I-9s when the documentation used for them expires?
December 27, 2023| Source: Eric SHRM-SCP Question: Are we required to update our I-9s when the documentation used for them expires? Answer: You would only update a Form I-9 if the expired document pertains to a limited period of employment authorization. You should never reverify U.S. citizens and, in most cases, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders). However, if a lawful permanent
What is PCORI filing?
Question: What is PCORI filing? Answer: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to study clinical effectiveness and health outcomes. To finance the institute’s work, a small annual fee—commonly called the PCORI fee—is charged on group health plans. PCORI filing is generally not required for standalone, self-funded dental or vision plans if they are considered “excepted benefits.” A plan
Joint Statement from California Health & Human Services Leaders on Affordable Care Act Federal Ruling
Joint Statement from California Health & Human Services Leaders on Affordable Care Act Federal Ruling April 4, 2023 | Source: DMHC California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Director Mary Watanabe issued the following joint statement after a federal judge in Texas issued a ruling today
Reported HIPAA Complaints and Breaches Shot Up From 2017 to 2021: HHS
February 21, 2023 | Source: The Hill, by Joseph Choi A report released on Friday found that HIPAA complaints and breaches spiked between 2017 and 2021, with the agency in charge of handling the notices saying it lacks sufficient resources to properly respond. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act requires the Department of Health and Human
Era Of ‘Free’ COVID Vaccines, Test Kits, And Treatments Is Ending: Who Pays Now?
Source: BenefitsPRO, by Julie Appleby Time is running out for free-to-consumer COVID vaccines, at-home test kits, and even some treatments. The White House announced this month that the national public health emergency, first declared in early 2020 in response to the pandemic, is set to expire May 11. When it ends, so will many of the policies designed to combat the virus’s spread.
U.S. to End COVID-19 Emergency Declarations on May 11
Source: Reuters WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s administration on Monday said it will end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11, nearly three years after the United States imposed sweeping pandemic measures to curb the spread of the illness. The COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) were put in place in 2020 by then-President Donald Trump.
Healthcare Priorities For The Next Congress
Source: Forbes, by Sally Pipes What kind of healthcare reforms can we expect from the 118th Congress? The outlook is a bit cloudy. At long last, Congress will likely turn its attention to things other than COVID-19. But Democrats have lost their legislative trifecta and will have to work with a House narrowly controlled by Republicans. But if lawmakers are