SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT DUE The Summary Annual Report (SAR) is a disclosure requirement under ERISA. The SAR acts as a narrative of the Form 5500 for employee benefit plans. It includes financial statements, funding requirements, and participants’ rights. The SAR must be provided to participants and enrolled beneficiaries within nine months after the end of the plan … Continued
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires large employers to offer affordable health insurance coverage to their full-time employees or face a penalty known as the “Pay or Play” tax. This tax is based on the employer’s average monthly wage (AMW) and the number of full-time employees. The affordability rate for employer-sponsored health coverage will increase from 8.39% to … Continued
FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS FTC NON-COMPETE BAN NATIONWIDE: IMPORTANT INSIGHTS FOR EMPLOYERS On August 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas delivered a crucial ruling, effectively halting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Rule prohibiting most non-compete agreements. The Rule, which was set to go into effect on September 4, 2024, was … Continued
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) to ensure that health insurance companies spend a significant portion of premiums on medical care and quality improvement activities rather than administrative costs and profits. When insurers fail to meet the MLR threshold, they are required to issue rebates to plan sponsors. Understanding MLR … Continued
FORM 5500 FILING FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS The Form 5500 series is a component of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act’s (ERISA) reporting and disclosure framework. The Form is used to report information on the qualification of the plan, its financial condition, investments, and its operations. It also guarantees that participants, beneficiaries, and regulators have access … Continued
ACA PREVENTIVE CARE MANDATE REMAINS IN PLACE WITH AN EXCEPTION In a recent decision, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that mandates private insurance cover preventive services without cost to patients. However, the court also ruled that the plaintiffs are exempt from complying with this mandate, … Continued
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund fee, often referred to as the PCORI fee, can be a source of confusion for employers offering health insurance plans. This article aims to simplify what the PCORI fee is, why it exists, and how it impacts your business. What is the PCORI Fee? The PCORI fee is an … Continued
PREPARE NOW TO PAY THE PCORI FEE The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee funds research that evaluates and compares health outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and the risks and benefits of medical treatments and services. Effective through 2029, the IRS treats this fee like an excise tax, applied to all covered lives, including employees, retirees, spouses, … Continued
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION BANS NON-COMPETE CLAUSES On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finalized a rule banning most employers and employees from entering into non-compete clauses, effective 120 days post-publication in the Federal Register. This move aims to eliminate these clauses across all levels of workers, with a narrow exception for senior executives’ pre-existing agreements. … Continued
A health plan is more than a product or service; it’s a relationship. All productive and healthy relationships—especially in the benefits space—rely on trust. When an employer extends trust in a broker or insurance carrier to purchase something as critical as healthcare—for people as critical as their workers and families—we’re obligated to raise all factors … Continued
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Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone
919.571.0883
Email
info@jrwassoc.com
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