• Which Dependents are Covered by a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?

    Which Dependents are Covered by a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?

    March 9, 2023

    In general, dependent care FSA funds can be used to cover children through age 13 and family members who cannot care for themselves; and health FSA and limited-purpose FSA funds can be used to pay for expenses of spouses and children through age 27, but there are some nuances to be aware of.

  • Reducing 2022 Income Tax Liability is Still Possible with an HSA

    Reducing 2022 Income Tax Liability is Still Possible with an HSA

    March 9, 2023

    Every January, employees collect W-2 forms and other information to file their income taxes. After crunching numbers, the amount of tax they owe the IRS may come as an unpleasant surprise. Once a tax year is closed there aren't many ways to reduce a tax bill, but a prior-year HSA contribution can help.  

  • COVID-19 National Emergency Expected to End May 11, 2023

    COVID-19 National Emergency Expected to End May 11, 2023

    February 2, 2023

    President Biden has announced his intent to extend the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 pandemic through May 11, 2023. Associated deadline extensions for health and welfare plans would end July 10, 2023.

  • Two-Year Extension on Telehealth Services Granted

    Two-Year Extension on Telehealth Services Granted

    January 5, 2023

    The recently enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (CAA 2023) granted a two-year extension allowing high deductible health plans (HDHPs) to waive the deductible for telehealth and other remote care services without causing plan participants to lose the ability to contribute to an HSA. 

  • IRS Grants Permanent Extension to ACA Reporting Deadline

    IRS Grants Permanent Extension to ACA Reporting Deadline

    December 20, 2022

    The IRS has issued final regulations granting a permanent, automatic extension of time to comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements. 

  • Temporary Relief Due to COVID Outbreak Period May Come to an End

    Temporary Relief Due to COVID Outbreak Period May Come to an End

    December 15, 2022

    When the COVID-related National Emergency will come to an end is on the minds of many health plan Sponsors and Administrators. The Public Health Emergency (PHE) is extended through January 11, 2023, and the National Health Emergency (NE) is set to expire March 1, 2023. 

  • Washington DC’s New Parking “Cash Out” Law Impacts Commuter Benefits

    Washington DC’s New Parking “Cash Out” Law Impacts Commuter Benefits

    December 15, 2022

    The Council of the District of Columbia has approved a new transportation benefit law that requires employers who provide parking benefits to also offer ‘clean-air’ transportation benefits. The law also requires employers to submit reporting and plans to the city. The new law applies to every employer with at least 20 persons located in Washington D.C. and offers its employees free or discounted parking. 

  • Does Your Health Plan Need a Dependent Eligibility Audit?

    Does Your Health Plan Need a Dependent Eligibility Audit?

    December 15, 2022

    If you are not currently conducting ongoing verification audits or requiring employees to provide documentation when they enroll in benefits, then you should audit your plan. An eligibility audit is a type of compliance review that is used to ensure that dependents covered by the plan are eligible to enroll based on the plan’s eligibility rules, as well as state and federal regulations.

  • Important 2023 Plan Limits

    Important 2023 Plan Limits

    December 15, 2022

    The IRS has released Revenue Procedures 2022-38 and 2022-24 including 2023 plan limits for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Commuter Benefits, limits related to Health Savings Accounts (HSA), high deductible health plans (HDHP) and various other code provisions.

  • 2023 PCORI Fee Update

    2023 PCORI Fee Update

    December 15, 2022

    On November 14, 2022, the IRS released Notice 2022-59, announcing the adjusted applicable dollar amount for determining the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) fee for policy years and plan years ending on or after October 1, 2022, and before October 1, 2023.