Emerging Trends:
Articles
Emerging Trends:
Health Plan Cost Savings Strategies
Monday, August 15, 2016
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s 2015 Employer Health Benefits Survey, health insurance premiums for employers have cumulatively increased by 65% from 2010 to 2015, vs. overall inflation which has only increased cumulatively by 11% over the same time period.
Equipment Exposures Often Overlooked
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
In a time where construction activity has exceeded prior high watermarks, contractors are increasingly utilizing owned and rented equipment for projects. From an insurance standpoint, there are key areas of coverage that need to be addressed when structuring a contractor’s equipment program. Continued rental expense and rental reimbursement are a few coverage areas that deserve consideration.
§4980H Affordability – Opt-Out Guidance
Friday, July 22, 2016
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released proposed rules addressing the relationship between opt-out arrangements and affordability for purposes of subsidy eligibility through a public Exchange and potential §4980H(b) penalties. First addressed in Notice 2015-87 last December, the proposed rules confirm and further clarify that unconditional opt-out payments need to be added to the employee contribution for purposes of determining affordability, while conditional opt-outs generally do not.
HHS Releases Discrimination Rule Affecting Transgender Benefits
Monday, July 18, 2016
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released the Final Rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits certain types of entities from discriminating in health programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex (including gender identity-based discrimination). Most affected entities are not likely to have discrimination issues related to most of these categories; however, the new rules include significant requirements related to health coverage for transgender individuals that may force changes to current benefits.
Providence-Swedish Health & Services May Be Leaving Premera Blue Cross
Thursday, July 14, 2016
We received notice late Wednesday that Providence-Swedish Health & Services has decided to terminate their contract with Premera Blue Cross, effective January 1, 2017.
At this time we do not know if this decision to terminate is a final position on the part of Providence or part of their negotiations with Premera.
Minimizing Healthcare Regulatory Risk
Friday, July 8, 2016
Regardless of your role within the healthcare space, everyone can have an impact on how an organization minimizes regulatory risks. Healthcare executives need to understand the trending regulatory claims, the best way to partner with insurance associates, and how varying policies interface with the associated liabilities.
Innovative Insurance Solutions For Today’s Mergers & Acquisitions
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
As mergers and acquisitions become more common, the risk of financial loss in these deals is increasing. A properly structured reps and warranties insurance policy can help protect both the buyer and seller. PS&F’s Cliff Rudolph explains further in the PSBJ.
Final SBC Template and Related Materials
Friday, June 24, 2016
The Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services (“the Departments”) have released final versions of the Uniform Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) template, instructions, sample language, and Uniform Glossary (“glossary”), along with a Coverage Examples Calculator and related instructions.
Employer Reporting Errors
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Now that the deadline under Sections 6055 and 6056 for issuing statements to employees/covered individuals has passed, employers may begin to identify errors in the statements issued.
Employer Exchange Subsidy Notices – Appeal or Not?
Monday, June 13, 2016
Employers are starting to receive notices from public Exchanges indicating that one or more employees are receiving a subsidy when purchasing individual health insurance coverage through a public Exchange. This could potentially trigger employer penalties under §4980H. If an employer receives such a notice, the employer has a right, but is not required, to appeal when they feel an employee should not be receiving a subsidy because the employer offers minimum value, affordable coverage.
Disability Insurance Due Diligence
Thursday, June 9, 2016
According to multiple surveys, approximately 90% of employers offer long-term disability (LTD) insurance to their employees.
EEOC Final Rules on Wellness Programs
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released two separate sets of final regulations relating to wellness program compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). Despite a few recent court rulings against the EEOC’s voluntary requirements for wellness programs, the final rules generally clarify and confirm what was previously set forth in the proposed rules issued last year while expressing EEOC’s reasons for disagreeing with the court decisions.
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