2009 - 2012

News and Updates

Dec 18, 2012

Health FSA $2,500 Plan Year Limit

Healthcare reform added a new rule limiting salary reduction contributions to all health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to $2,500....

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Dec 14, 2012

PCORI Fee to be Paid by Self-Insured Plans

The agencies have finalized rules implementing a new fee on health insurance policies and self- insured health plans to fund the...

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Dec 13, 2012

Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions

The Affordable Care Act (the “Act”) contains many tax provisions that are in effect and more that will be implemented during the next...

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Dec 7, 2012

New Jersey State Exchange Veto

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has vetoed a bill that would have created a health insurance exchange for New Jersey under the...

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Dec 5, 2012

Guidance Issued for 2014 Transitional Reinsurance Program

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued eagerly awaited new proposed rules implementing the three-year Transitional...

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Dec 3, 2012

Eleventh Circuit Affirms Wellness Program Complies with ADA

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld a lower court decision that a wellness program that requires employees...

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Nov 28, 2012

New Rules Released on Healthcare Reform Provisions

Last week the Obama administration released new proposed rules on employer-based wellness programs, essential health benefits, and...

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Nov 13, 2012

Delays in Healthcare Reform Enforcement Would Be Welcome

With the re-election of the President, the future of the healthcare reform law for employers and employees is clear. Employers must...

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Nov 8, 2012

Healthcare Reform Guidance Will Now Come Fast and Strong

President Barack Obama’s victory on Tuesday finally removes most of the remaining uncertainty about the healthcare reform law that has...

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Nov 1, 2012

Health Plan Compliance Websites

The healthcare reform law calls for guidance from various agencies (often jointly), including the Department of Health and Human Services...

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Sep 20, 2012

Medicare Part D Notices Due by October 15th

The annual Notice of Creditable Coverage required under Medicare Part D must be distributed prior to October 15th. The Centers for...

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Sep 18, 2012

Contraceptive Coverage Mandate - Religious Objection Update

Under healthcare reform’s preventive services rules, a non-grandfathered, non-excepted group health plan must cover contraceptive drugs,...

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Sep 12, 2012

Federal Government Issues Final Rule for Student Health Plans

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule clarifying that students will have access to coverage and...

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Sep 11, 2012

Federal Agencies Issue Guidance on 90-Day Waiting Period & Full-Time Determination

Recently released guidance provides employers with additional details regarding two issues relating to employer responsibilities under...

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Sep 5, 2012

Patient Protection Act to Charge Plans New Transitional Reinsurance Fee in 2014

Starting in 2014, the healthcare law will impose a new reinsurance program fee that will affect sponsors of both insured and self-funded...

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Jun 28, 2012

Supreme Court Backs All Parts of Health Care Law

Today the United States Supreme Court issued an historic ruling that likely means major portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable...

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Jun 25, 2012

New Mental Health Parity Guidance

The Department of Labor (DOL) has created a Mental Health Webpage with new resources related to mental health parity. The new Webpage...

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Jun 1, 2012

New Transition Relief for FSA Plan Year Limit

Healthcare reform added a new rule limiting salary reduction contributions to a health flexible spending account (FSA) to $2,500...

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May 2, 2012

2013 HSA/HDHP Limits Released

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) effective for calendar...

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Apr 24, 2012

First Comparative Effectiveness Fee Due July 2013

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a proposed regulation explaining a new fee (the patient-centered outcomes research fee or...

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