"The DOL's post-ruling guidance prohibited AHPs formed under the regulations from marketing to and signing up new members, so there likely are few, if any, AHPs that would be affected by this action. Nevertheless, rescinding the expanded rules would resolve any lingering uncertainty. Public comments may be submitted by February 18, 2024. "  MORE >>

"In addition to shifts in population, the CLAS County Data has increased from four languages to eight.... In Florida, based on the 2012 data, there were eight counties in which Spanish was the primary language for at least 10% of those living there. In this new report, there are nine counties to which that applies, Broward County joining the list.... Under the 2012 data, Indiana had no counties on the list, in 2023 there is one county where Pennsylvania Dutch is prevalent."  MORE >>

"Cost of ACA employer mandate penalties to rise in 2024 ...  ... A drop in the ACA affordability percentage for 2024 ... New electronic filing rules for small businesses ... Electronic correction submissions restrictions ... ACA preventive care mandates   ... Important deadlines to keep in mind."  MORE >>

"The percentage increase from 2023 to 2024 is 1.0543149339. After applying the percentage increase, group health plans and insurers may round any resulting QPA to the nearest dollar. ... The table of cumulative percentages and examples provided in [Notice 2024-01] may be helpful"  MORE >>

"The departments opted to increase the rate but heeded suggestions to tweak the methodology for projecting the volume of administrative fees that would be paid in the upcoming year. The resulting higher number allowed for a lower fee per case than had been proposed."  MORE >>

"Although 86% are satisfied with their current health and medical benefit offerings, they are inundated with the management of 49 or more narrowly focused, condition-specific point solutions."  MORE >>

"The COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, which requires [businesses with 25 or more employees] to provide up to 40 hours of additional paid sick leave to eligible employees when they are unable to work for certain COVID-19 reasons, will expire on December 31, 2023. However, covered employers will still be required to keep all compliance records for this law for two years (through December 31, 2025)."  MORE >>

"While [CI's] surveys repeatedly find that users are satisfied with some aspects of their health insurance plan and the digital patience experience -- and that satisfaction has increased -- digital-first users increasingly expect their insurer's offerings to be as intuitive as those from Apple or Google.... Firms that employ modern best practices, learning from those offering the best healthcare UX examples, will stand out from their competitors."  MORE >>

"Unsubsidized premiums in the ACA Marketplaces are rising due in part to inflation.... Insurer participation in 2024 will be more robust than in recent years.... State-level policy changes will affect what coverage some residents are eligible for, how much it costs, and how they sign up.... Young adults turning 26 in 2024 will have until the next open enrollment to move off of their parents' Marketplace plans."  MORE >>

"Digital-first users increasingly expect their insurers to offer a user experience comparable to those from Apple or Google. Firms that employ modern best practices, learning from those offering the best life insurance UX examples and best insurtech UX examples, will have a leg up on their competitors. [This article discusses] the digital strategies firms are using today to create the best life insurance user experience."  MORE >>

28 pages. Reminders include: [1] Form W-4P and Form W-4R; [2] Disaster tax relief; [3] Moving expense reimbursements; [4] No federal income tax withholding on disability payments for injuries incurred as a direct result of a terrorist attack directed against the United States; [5] Electronic submission of Forms W-4 and W-4P; [6] Electronic submission of Forms W-4R, W-4S, and W-4V.  MORE >>

"A funding policy can help achieve and sustain the long-term financial health of a pension or OPEB plan, especially by offering stability and guidance to decision making in periods of extreme economic volatility. A funding policy should be consistently applied, but it should also allow for the possibility of revisions should the need arise. Establishing and adopting a funding policy is one aspect of good governance."  MORE >>

"The agenda now includes the August 2023 Request for Information (RFI) entitled 'SECURE 2.0 Reporting and Disclosure' ... Two items also stemming from SECURE 2.0 have advanced to the Proposed Rule stage on the agenda.... Two proposed rules have advanced to the final rule stage.... Other items on and off the agenda."  MORE >>