A year and a half into Donald Trump’s presidency, the Commander in Chief and his administration have made a strong effort to convert on his campaign promise to alter and even eliminate the Affordable Care Act. We watched a political soap opera play out in 2017 as a Republican House and Senate ultimately failed to […]
We all know that employers do not like uncertainty in their business plans. It makes it hard to develop a strategy and run any business. Since 2010 with the full-throated implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) it is apparent that the one constant during the summer months is that employers spend a tremendous amount […]
The Department of Labor recently issued new rules that make it easier for small businesses to join together to create association health plans. With this change, small businesses can form AHPs without having to follow some Affordable Care Act requirements that they previously had to adhere to. Now, in theory, it is easier to create AHPs if […]
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed two healthcare bills that would expand the use of health savings accounts, a move that, if advanced, could significantly drive higher employee enrollment in high-deductible health plans that feature HSAs. The Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act, or HR 6199, takes several steps to […]
The U.S. government is attempting to wrangle insurance carriers back into the Affordable Care Act health exchanges by increasing their funding. As a result brokers could also see a return to the exchanges through a boost in commissions from those carriers looking to reinvest. Having renewed employer and employee interest in the exchanges also means […]
The Trump administration is preparing a regulation that would allow the resumption of billions of dollars in payments to health insurers in Obamacare. The Office of Management and Budget was sent a rule on Wednesday from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services tied to the risk-adjustment program, which transfers money to insurers who take […]
The Trump Administration released final rules in mid-June on Association Health Plans with final rules on short-term, limited-duration insurance plans (STIs) due in September. There’s been a lot of ink spilled on those topics and what they may do to either undercut the ACA or provide employers and employees with more coverage options, depending on […]
The U.S. agency that administers Obamacare is freezing payments to insurers that cover sicker patients, saying a federal court ruling ties its hands. The move brought a sharp response from health insurers warning of market disruptions and higher costs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Saturday that the February action by the trial […]
Employers who were issued IRS penalty Letter 226-J could receive more bad news depending on how they intend to respond to their alleged violation of the employer shared responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act. To give the accused a chance to plead their case, Letter 226-J gives employers the opportunity to refute the assessed penalty amount […]
KANSAS City, Mo. — The cost of prescription drugs continues to be a major concern among health plan sponsors and members alike. With no signs of falling in the near future, experts are attempting to understand where the increases began and what options are available today. During the National Association of Health Underwriter’s Annual Convention […]
