Individuals

Posted March 11th, 2016 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Each year the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues a set of rules referred to as the “Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters.”  This set of rules generally addresses changes and new requirements that apply to certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

Posted February 26th, 2016 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a new process that will impact anyone seeking to enroll with a special enrollment period (SEP) on the Healthcare.gov website.  Under the current process, individuals who experience a qualifying event simply need to check a box on the application to be eligible for an SEP.
Posted February 12th, 2016 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
In most instances an employer can no longer pay or reimburse employees with pre-tax dollars for health coverage that is obtained in the individual market. The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Technical Release 2016-1 in relation to how this rule impacts student health plans.
 
Posted February 5th, 2016 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
2016 will be the first year that most Americans will receive a Form 1095. As you would suspect, several people are wondering which forms will be provided and when. Here is some basic information to help answer those questions.  
 
Posted January 29th, 2016 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Insurance companies are concerned that some people are abusing the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that is available in the individual marketplace. They have indicated at least some people are delaying enrollment in coverage until they get sick, applying for coverage only once they need it, and then canceling the coverage after treatment. They further argue that there aren’t enough rules in place to verify if a person actually experienced a qualifying event which would trigger a SEP.

Posted December 23rd, 2015 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
You may have heard that President Obama recently signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, a $1.1 trillion spending bill, avoiding a shutdown and funding the federal government through September 30, 2016. The President also signed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 which provides nearly $700 billion in tax breaks. Here’s what it means to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and transit reimbursement plans.   
 
Cadillac Tax
  • The Cadillac Tax has been delayed by two years until 2020.
Posted December 18th, 2015 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

On December 11, 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) posted guidance for states interested in seeking a State Innovation Waiver under Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Posted December 10th, 2015 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
Below is a list of some key Affordable Care Act (ACA) changes and facts that will be effective in 2016:
 
  1. The Individual Mandate penalties increase to $695 per adult ($347.50 per child) or 2.5% of household income, whichever is greater. 
  2. The Employer Mandate expands to include all employers who have 50 or more employees. 
  3. The Employer Mandate offer rate increases from 70% to 95%. 
  4. Employer reporting related to the offer of coverage is due for the first time during Q1 2016. 
Posted December 4th, 2015 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
The Senate needed 51 votes to pass the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 (HR 3762), a budget reconciliation bill which would repeal several key parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  They got 52 when they voted on December 3rd.  The bill, which was previously passed by the House of Representatives (House), was approved by the Senate with some amendments.  That means the bill will have to go back to the House for another vote, where most expect it will be passed.
Posted November 20th, 2015 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released premium and cost sharing information for Medicare beneficiaries in 2016.  Approximately 70% of individuals will pay $104.90 per month for Part B, however, the premium cost will be higher for the remaining 30% of individuals who:
 
  1. Enroll in Part B for the first time in 2016; or
  2. Those who don’t currently receive Social Security benefits; or
  3. People who have Medicare and Medicaid, and Medicaid pays the Part B premium; or

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