Rev. May 19, 2026. "Table 1 lists key PY2027 dates for QHP certification applications and related data submissions.... As in prior years, issuers will submit a complete QHP application for all plans they intend to have certified in a state in which an FFE is operating. Through an iterative process ... CMS will review QHP applications for current and new issuers applying for QHP certification in an FFE."  MORE >>

"Use a separate Form 7206 for each trade or business under which an insurance plan is established."  MORE >>

"The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ... contains sweeping changes to student loans. These changes will impact how families and students pay for their educations, and how employers can help individuals repay their loans upon entering the work force. [This column] will discuss some of the Act's changes to federal student loans and explore ways employers can attract and retain top-tier talent."  MORE >>

"While the updates do not fundamentally change the Section 127 framework, they reinforce the importance of careful plan design and documentation, particularly as student loan repayment benefits continue to be a key attraction and retention tool."  MORE >>

"The action you describe likely violates the ADA's association provision. You are probably familiar with the ADA provisions that prohibit an employer from discriminating against a qualified individual with a disability ... This course of action also raises concerns under other laws, including HIPAA's nondiscrimination provisions, which prohibit group health plans and insurers from discriminating with regard to eligibility or premium contributions based on health factors."  MORE >>

"The proposal would require all employers in the county to offer at least 18 weeks of paid parental leave, making Allegheny County the first county in Pennsylvania to adopt paid parental leave. The proposal would also amend the county's paid sick leave provision, allowing employees to accrue more sick leave at a faster rate."  MORE >>

"The average paid parental leave offering in the U.S. varies significantly by employer size, industry, and whether you're looking at birthing or non-birthing parents.... The gap between the 62% of employers who say they offer paid parental leave and the 27% of workers who report actually having access to it points to a real implementation problem.... Parental leave ranks second among the most important benefits employers can offer ... New parenthood is a high-risk retention window.... The expectation of leave parity has grown considerably."  MORE >>

"Despite several years of enforcement, CMS has seen little overall improvement in the quality of initial analyses, though some plans are providing more robust data and explanations after feedback. As in prior years, many analyses were incomplete or insufficient at the outset. CMS reported that none were adequate on first submission ... EBSA and CMS generally gave plans and issuers multiple chances to correct issues before issuing a formal noncompliance determination."  MORE >>

"[D]irect primary care practices grew from 3% to 9% of family physicians between 2022 and 2023. Employees pay a monthly fee directly to the doctor, bypassing insurance entirely for routine care. The market is projected to grow from $60 billion in 2025 to $92 billion by 2035.... Employer groups with direct primary care spend roughly 52% less than groups without it. When insurance billing complexity for routine care is eliminated, overhead drops and costs follow."  MORE >>

"Between 2025 and 2026, we estimate that employer-sponsored healthcare costs will grow by 7.9%, from $7,838 to $8,460 for the average person.... Outpatient facility care and pharmacy services are the primary drivers of cost increases in 2026, contributing to 69% of the year-over-year rise.... Enter your location and family characteristics ... to estimate your total 2026 healthcare costs, including the portion of your healthcare spending that will go to your premium, doctor visits, out-of-pocket expenses, and prescriptions."  MORE >>

"A recent memo from the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directs federal agencies not to increase inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties for employee benefit plans for 2026.... [D]ue to the 43-day government shutdown that began October 1, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics never released CPI-U figures for October 2025, leaving the agencies without a multiplier to apply to their 2025 penalties."  MORE >>

"[T]he median percentage remaining in 2022 after medical OOP spending was 71 percent for Social Security benefits and 88 percent for total income. ... In other words, OOP takes a big chuck of retirees’ resources, and the 10-percent increase in Medicare Part B premium [in 2026] suggests no relief on the horizon."  MORE >>