Regulatory News

2020 out of pocket maximums for in-network

Posted on: 7/24/2019 2:29 PM

Each year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) releases updated Notice of Benefit Payment Parameter (NBPP) Rules. The NBPP for 2020 increases the in-network out of pocket maximum to the following:$8,150 for self-only coverage$16,300 for other than self-coverage Lifetime Benefit Solutions, Inc. is not a law firm, has not reviewed that information for legal sufficiency, and does not give legal or tax advice. The sponsoring employer should have this information reviewed by its own le… Read More

IRS allows specified expenses for chronic conditions to be treated as preventive care under HSA rules

Posted on: 7/17/2019 2:28 PM

On July 17, 2019, the IRS issued guidance expanding the preventive care benefits that can be provided by a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to include a range of chronic conditions. The addition of these preventive care benefits are optional for HDHPs. If added to plans, these additional benefits would be paid with no deductible. The news release and IRS Notice below both outline the services and items added as preventive care. News Releasehttps://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-expands-list-of-prev… Read More

Agencies issue final regulations expanding use of HRAs

Posted on: 6/20/2019 6:12 PM

The IRS, DOL, and HHS have jointly issued final regulations that expand the availability and permitted use of HRAs, finalizing proposed regulations that were originally issued in 2018. The final regulations are generally applicable for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2020 and offer the following: - Individual Coverage HRAs: an alternative to traditional group health plan coverage, subject to certain conditions. Among other medical care expenses, Individual Coverage HRAs can be used … Read More

IRS announces 2020 HSA contribution limits, HDHP minimum deductibles, and HDHP out-of-pocket maximums

Posted on: 5/30/2019 2:00 PM

The IRS has released the 2020 cost-of-living adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs):- The HSA contribution limit for 2020 is $3,550 for individuals with self-only HDHP coverage and $7,100 for individuals with family HDHP coverage- The HDHP minimum deductible for 2020 is $1,400 for self-only HDHP coverage and $2,800 for family HDHP coverage- The HDHP out-of-pocket maximum for 2020 is $6,900 for self-only HDHP coverage and $13,800 for family HDH… Read More

DOL announces 2019 adjusted penalty amounts for several benefits-related violations

Posted on: 1/31/2019 3:36 PM

The DOL has announced the 2019 annual adjustments to the civil monetary penalties for a wide range of benefits-related violations: Form 5500 - maximum penalty for failing to file increases from $2140 to $2194 per day the filing is late. Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) - maximum penalty for failing to provide the SBC increases from $1128 to $1156 per failure. Violations of Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) may result in penalties of $117 per participant per day (increase fro… Read More

IRS announces opening date for electronic filing of 2018 forms 1094 and 1095

Posted on: 1/10/2019 3:35 PM

The IRS announces that electronic filing of Affordable Care Act (ACA) information returns (Forms 1094/1095) for the 2018 tax year will become available on January 15, 2019, at approximately 9 a.m. The deadline for furnishing Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to individuals has been extended to March 4, 2019. However, there is no extension for filing these forms with the IRS (due dates are April 1, 2019 for electronic filing and February 28, 2019 for paper filing). Lifetime Benefit Solutions, Inc. is not … Read More

IRS releases 2019 versions of HSA reporting forms

Posted on: 12/27/2018 3:32 PM

The IRS has released tax year 2019 versions of HSA reporting forms 5498-SA (for trustees and custodians of HSAs, Archer MSAs, and Medicare Advantage MSAs) and 1099-SA (to report distributions from these accounts) along with instructions. Lifetime Benefit Solutions, Inc. is not a law firm, has not reviewed that information for legal sufficiency, and does not give legal or tax advice. The sponsoring employer should have this information reviewed by its own legal counsel for compliance with ERISA,… Read More

Removal of ADA and GINA wellness provisions from wellness program incentives effective 1/1/19

Posted on: 12/20/2018 3:28 PM

The EEOC has issued final rules removing the incentive provisions from the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) wellness regulations effective 1/1/19. As background, a federal trial court determined in 2017 that the EEOC had failed to justify its conclusions that a 30% incentive was a reasonable interpretation of voluntariness under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that allowing incentives for providing a spouse’s medical history… Read More