"Important for plan sponsors is that nothing will change for their obligations under the ACA's employer mandate. Large employers must still provide coverage that is affordable based on the cost to the employee only or face a penalty. There is still no penalty if the coverage is unaffordable for family coverage."  MORE >>

"[This] Q&A explains how employer-sponsored health insurance affects a family's eligibility for a premium tax credit, and when employees and their family members can forgo an offer of employer coverage and purchase coverage in the health insurance marketplace with the help of a premium tax credit."  MORE >>

"[This guide] explains eligibility rules for individuals with offers of employer-sponsored coverage. It covers how to determine whether employer-sponsored coverage is affordable and minimum value, as well as special rules that reduce an employee’s required contribution. The guide also offers details and examples on how ICHRAs and QSEHRAs work with marketplace plans."  MORE >>

"The draft instructions for the Forms 1094-C and 1095-C for the 2022 reporting season were released in early October with only nominal changes compared to 2021. However, and importantly, employers who file incorrect or incomplete Forms 1095-C with the IRS may suffer costly penalties that the IRS did not begin to utilize until the 2021 reporting season. [This article explores] the changes made in the draft instructions for the Forms 1094-C and 1095-C in 2022."  MORE >>

"There is no requirement under ERISA that summary plan descriptions (SPDs) and summaries of material modifications be provided in any language other than English. However, where a plan covers a large enough population of participants who are only literate in the same non-English language, assistance in that non-English language must be offered.... The ACA requires that certain group health plan materials be provided in a 'culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.' The group health plan materials at issue include the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) and appeal notices under the enhanced group health plan claims procedures."  MORE >>

"Employers (excluding government employers) with 50 or more 'covered employees' are subject to the new Ordinance. A covered employee is anyone who has worked an average of at least 30 hours per week for the past 12 months for compensation in Philadelphia for the same employer.... Failure to comply with this Ordinance could result in fines against an employer ranging from $150 to $300 per day for each day an employer is not in compliance. "  MORE >>

"[T]he healthcare benefit cost trend rose from 8.2% in 2021 to a higher-than-anticipated 8.8% in 2022 -- and is projected to rise yet further in 2023 to a stubbornly high global average of 10%. The cost trend increases will hit many regions, including Latin America (where average increases are projected to climb from 18.2% to 18.9%), Asia Pacific (climbing from 6.9% to 10.2%), and the Middle East and Africa (climbing from 10.5% to 11.5%)."  MORE >>

"The new rule focuses the analysis of worker classification on whether workers are in business for themselves to determine whether they are independent contractors.... [T]he DOL will look at whether workers can meaningfully negotiate their pay for the work, whether they accept a particular consulting job, whether they control when they work on the job, whether they engage in activities like marketing to expand their business, and whether the workers are the ones purchasing materials or equipment."  MORE >>