"There are many advantages to bringing back former employees, but applicable large employers need to follow the [ACA] rules when determining when to offer benefits. The key to this is determining whether the employee should be treated as a 'new hire' or a 'continuing employee.' This determination will tell the employer whether to offer benefits right away or if the designated waiting period applies."  MORE >>

"Beginning with the 2021 tax year ... 'good faith' relief is no longer available.... The IRS does however allow for penalty waivers for 'Reasonable cause,' but not for intentional disregard. This criteria for determining 'Reasonable Cause' is confined to three methods ... [1] Circumstances beyond filer's control ... [2] Substantial mitigating factors ... [3] Due diligence safe harbor."  MORE >>

"[D]espite the increased demand for patient care in 2021, the growth in national health spending is estimated to have slowed to 4.2%, from 9.7% in 2020 ... For 2021-2030, private health insurance spending growth is projected to average 5.7%. A rebound in utilization is expected to primarily influence private health insurance spending growth over 2021 (6.3%) and 2022 (8.3%), and then normalize through 2024.... Hospital spending growth is projected to average 5.7% for 2021-2030.... Spending growth for retail prescription drugs is projected to increase over 2021-2030 at an average rate of 5%." [The full report from the Office of the Actuary is available online.]  MORE >>

"As pandemic disruptions fade, by 2024, health spending is expected to return to the previously projected level; however, by 2030, total spending will be $157 billion lower than in the pre-pandemic projection due to slower growth in the second half of the decade. Much of the slower projected growth from 2025-2030 is due to less use of hospital and nursing home care, suggesting the pandemic may have accelerated shifts away from institutional settings."  MORE >>

"Some U.S. health care providers are informing uninsured people they can no longer be tested for the virus free of charge and will have to pay for the service."  MORE >>

"[1] Many employees don't understand why they should open an HSA.... [2] When it comes to HSAs, employees only focus on the cash.... [3] Employees aren't aware of HSA investment opportunities.... [4] Employees think like consumers about their HSAs.'

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"Actual spending growth is something we can influence through a range of policy actions as we balance our desire to promote access to high-value care for all Americans with the fiscal sustainability of the health care system."  MORE >>

"The IRS is suspending the issuance of several notices generally mailed to tax-exempt or governmental entities in case of a delinquent return. Due to the historic pandemic, the IRS hasn't yet processed several million returns filed by individuals and entities. The suspension of the notices will help avoid confusion when a filing is still in process.... The suspended notices [include]: ... CP214, Reminder Notice About Your Form 5500-EZ or 5500-SF Filing Requirement ... CP259A, First Taxpayer Delinquency Investigation Notice -- Form 990/990EZ/990N ... CP259H. First Taxpayer Delinquency Investigation Notice -- Form 990/990EZ ... CP403, First Delinquency Notice -- Form 5500 or 5500-SF; CP406, Second Delinquency Notice -- Form 5500."  MORE >>

"[E]mployee turnover has hit record levels, with more than one-fourth of businesses reporting increased turnover -- up from 20% in 2021 or as little as 11% in 2015. As a solution, more than 70% of owners now see employee benefits as critical to help improve retention. This research also helps pinpoint business planning opportunities, especially the gaps between owners' priorities and their plans."  MORE >>