"Issue Indicators and Audit Tips: [1] Determine whether the taxpayer provides employer-provided parking for any of their employees. [2] Request a list of employees entitled to receive employer-provided parking. [3] Determine if the employer includes any portion of the benefit in employees' wages. [4] Request the method used to determine the value of the parking benefit. [5] If the value was not determined by Treas. Reg. 1.61-21(b)(2), you may need to conduct a survey of nearby parking facilities to determine the FMV."  MORE >>

"The new guidance ... [provides] enforcement safe harbors for satisfying the reporting requirements where reimbursement arrangements do not permit the plans and issuers to accurately derive specific dollar amounts in advance, or where the rates are not supported by the schema established by the [transparency in coverage] rules or additional context is required."  MORE >>

"[FAQs Part 53 reiterate] that the enforcement of the requirements related to machine-readable files disclosing in-network and out-of-network data will begin July 1, 2022 ... and clear up confusion regarding reporting for certain alternative reimbursement arrangements. This [article] summarizes the safe harbor issued for disclosing rates on specific arrangements for which a dollar amount may not be available before the item or service is provided or rendered."  MORE >>

"The No Surprises Act continues muddling through its implementation period.... There has been legal movement as health care providers and facilities have brought lawsuits against the Departments of [HHS], Labor, and Treasury, and the Office of Personnel Management. In addition, the [CMS] issued answers to new frequently asked questions (FAQs)."  MORE >>

"[A 2015 HHS rule states] that 'beginning in 2016, insurance providers cannot require any individual, including those with family coverage, to spend more than the individual out-of-pocket limit established under the Act -- a limitation commonly known as an "embedded individual out-of-pocket limit." ' The court found that the final rule adopted in 2015 for health insurance plans in 2016 does not apply retroactively for Fisher's claims under the 2014 and 2015 health insurance plans." [Fisher v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., No. 20-3148 (2d Cir. Apr. 22, 2022)]  MORE >>

"By offering benefits navigation support as part of the employee experience, employers can: [1] Deliver a more unified benefits and healthcare experience; [2] Improve engagement and utilization of their employee benefits package[ [3] Help deliver better health and financial outcomes to employees.... [U]se this checklist to ensure you have the key areas your employees may need support with all covered."  MORE >>

"[Employers] typically have very little actionable data. This has contributed to the 'pay more, get less' results that plague group health plans. It has also contributed to the 'set it and forget it' mentality. For this reason, most employers open their calendar to benefit analysis for a measly 90 to 120 days per year. One would think an expense that is in the top two or three for most small, mid-sized and large employers would garner more attention. Perhaps it would if there was something to focus on."  MORE >>

"The new transparency laws are expected to increase the use of [reference based pricing (RBP)] strategies by plan sponsors to maximize their value in managing costs value.... Designed to moderate excessive hospital costs, 'pure RBP' establishes a benchmark fee schedule and payment ceiling instead of negotiated fees by contracting with a provider network. Plan sponsors and participants benefit from the consistent application across all providers and health networks."  MORE >>

"At its heart, prudence must be exercised in the decision making process. For health and welfare plans this primarily means prudence in selecting and monitoring plan service providers. The service providers themselves may or may not be fiduciaries, but even if the service provider is not a fiduciary, the service provider can advise the fiduciary on matters that allow the fiduciary to make an informed decision."  MORE >>

"Flexible PTO offerings can attract new candidates, avoid burnout and retain star employees by becoming a benefit that allows them to stretch outside of the 9-5 lifestyle grasp. Whether your organization is developing a new policy or updating an existing policy, here are a few considerations for employers."  MORE >>

"What big-city health systems need most is something shopping malls have plenty of: space and parking. They offer convenience for patients and practitioners, as well as costing less than expanding an existing hospital campus. Nationwide, 32 enclosed malls house health care services in at least part of their footprint[.]"  MORE >>