"One of the administrative burdens under the [ACA] is for employers (and insurers) to [1] report to the IRS on the coverage provided to their employees, and [2] send such reporting forms to the covered employees.... [The Paperwork Reduction Act (HR 3797)] would require these forms only to be sent to covered individuals upon request. [The Employer Reporting Improvement Act (HR 3801)] would amend the ACA to incorporate IRS regulations allowing employers and insurers to send the 1095-B/1095-C tax forms electronically.... To take advantage of the new rules allowing distribution to employees on request, employers must ensure proper notice is given."  MORE >>

"These lawsuits typically allege that the employer and its health plan fiduciaries breached their fiduciary duties under [ERISA] ... because of some combination of the following: [1] the wellness program does not provide a compliant reasonable alternative standard because the individual must become tobacco free, [2] a participant who completes the smoking cessation program (or other) alternative is not able to avoid the full amount of the surcharge for the plan year, and/or [3] a reasonable alternative standard, such as a smoking cessation program, was not disclosed to participants."  MORE >>

"[N]otable changes in the amended rules ... [1] Paid leave accrues during paid leave.... [2] Employers must maintain and distribute a written paid leave policy.... [3] Remote workers must receive notice of rights.... [4] Paid leave calculation for employees with multiple job codes.... [5] FMLA regulations supersede ordinance rules."  MORE >>

"[Recently issued FAQs] clarify that Paid Prenatal Leave is a separate benefit from paid sick leave and leave provided by other employment policies, meaning that employers must provide 20 hours of Paid Prenatal Leave in addition to the leave the employer already provides."  MORE >>

"While the expanded leave protections of the new law are dramatic enough, on the way to passing Public Act 24-8 the General Assembly appears to have (inadvertently?) opened the door to a major question: Does Connecticut's expanded paid sick leave law actually apply to public-sector employers, including municipalities and boards of educations?"  MORE >>

"In recent years, the opaque business practices of PBMs have drawn fire.... But Lewandowski's lawsuit goes to a sensitive spot that had been overlooked until recently: language in the 2021 appropriations bill that revised [ERISA]. The original law focused on stopping fraudulent retirement plans. Her lawsuit is based on congressional language specifying that the law's requirement of prudent management covers health as well as retirement benefits."  MORE >>

"[R]oughly half of accountholders carried a balance that implied a forfeiture of some funds back to their employer. On average, this amount was $441.... Workers with at least one manually substantiated claim were 13 percentage points less likely to forfeit funds back to their employer than workers with auto-substantiated claims only, and their average forfeiture was $114 less[.]"  MORE >>

"[1] You must use HSA money by year-end ... [2] You can only get an HSA through your employer ... [3] You can't use money in the HSA after you sign up for Medicare ... [4] You can't contribute to an HSA after you turn 65 ... [5] You must use HSA funds within a certain time period after you incur medical bills ... [6] Your spouse and kids can only use HSA money if covered by your health plan ... [7] You can't use the HSA after you leave your job[.]"  MORE >>

"Lowering your MAGI is the best way to avoid (or reduce) IRMAA charges. [1] [I]ncrease your 401(k) or other tax-deferred account contributions. [2] Donate appreciated assets directly to charity from your taxable accounts.... [3] Make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).... [4] Distributions from Roth accounts do not count toward your MAGI.... [5] Roth conversions reduce future RMDs from your retirement accounts ... [6] Look for losses in your taxable accounts that could help offset any capital gains. [7] Appeal If you experience a life-changing event[.]"  MORE >>