Compliance Central 11/14

News and Updates

Apr 1, 2011

New Guidance on W-2 Health Cost Reporting

Employers are required to provide a written statement to each employee showing the amounts paid to the employee during the calendar year,...

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Mar 29, 2011

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - Impact on Benefits

The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) provides that for all purposes of federal law, such as the Employee Retirement Income Security...

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Mar 12, 2011

Extended Grace Period for Claims and Appeals Standards

The government agencies have issued a technical release modifying and extending the previous enforcement grace period for certain new...

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Feb 24, 2011

House of Representatives Votes to De-Fund Patient Protection and Accountability Act

During consideration of the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 1) – the measure to fund federal government agencies, programs...

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Feb 17, 2011

Proposed Changes for NJ Public Workers' Health Care Cost and Design

Over the past several weeks NJ’s Governor and Legislative leaders have issued substantive proposals for re-shaping how public workers...

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Jan 26, 2011

Imputed Income Issues for Health and Welfare Benefits

One of the more complicated compliance issues for sponsors of health and welfare plans is whether welfare benefits are taxable to...

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Jan 4, 2011

Debit Cards for Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines Permitted

The IRS has issued new guidance (IRS Notice 2011-5) to allow participants to continue to use flexible spending account (FSA) and health...

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Dec 28, 2010

Delayed Implementation of Insured Plan Nondiscrimination Rules

IRS has issued Notice 2011-1 to announce that compliance with the insured plan nondiscrimination rule will not be required until years...

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Dec 27, 2010

2010 Tax Relief Act Extends Tax Cuts and Includes Benefits Provisions

On December 17, President Obama signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the...

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Dec 21, 2010

Mini-Med Plans – New Model Notice Language and Restricted Sales Guidance

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released new guidance that restricts the sale of “mini-med” or “limited benefits” plans...

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Dec 16, 2010

Congress Delays Mandated Cuts in Medicare Until January 2011

Last week the House of Representatives passed a bill that would delay a legally required 25% cut in Medicare physician reimbursement...

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Dec 10, 2010

IRS Issues More Guidance on Small Business Health Coverage Tax Credit

IRS has issued detailed guidance on the small employer health insurance credit created by the Affordable Care Act. The guidance provides...

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Dec 2, 2010

Medical Loss Ratio Requirements for Health Insurers

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released an interim final rule to implement medical loss ratio (MLR) requirements...

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Nov 24, 2010

The Equal Employment Commission Issues Final GINA Regulations

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently released final regulations implementing Title II of the Genetic...

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Nov 1, 2010

Preventive Services Covered Under Health Reform

Under health reform, non-grandfathered plans are required to provide coverage for certain “Recommended Preventive Services” (such as...

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Oct 21, 2010

W-2 HEALTH COVERAGE REPORTING DELAYED

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a Notice announcing that employers won't have to report the value of employer-sponsored group...

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Oct 15, 2010

Department of Labor FAQs on Genetic Nondiscrimination (GINA)

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is intended to prevent discrimination on the basis of genetic information in health...

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Oct 14, 2010

Extended Compliance Date for New Appeal Procedures; FAQs Released

In a last minute announcement, federal regulators issued guidance on September 20th giving employers, plan sponsors, and health plans...

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Oct 13, 2010

Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Guidance Released

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published further guidance for employers whose applications have been accepted...

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Oct 11, 2010

ENSURING COMPLIANCE OVER HEALTH AND WELLNESS PLANS

Wellness Plans Over the past several years health and wellness programs have become increasingly popular with employers as a way to...

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