by dfirestone | Aug 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
OVERVIEW The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Office of Chief Counsel has recently issued several information letters regarding the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual and employer mandate penalties. These letters clarify that: Employer shared responsibility... by dfirestone | Jul 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
OVERVIEW In the early morning hours of July 28, 2017, members of the U.S. Senate voted 49-51 to reject a “skinny” version of a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), called the Health Care Freedom Act (HCFA). This was the final vote of the Senate’s... by dfirestone | Jul 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
OVERVIEW On June 22, 2017, Republicans in the U.S. Senate released a draft of their proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), called the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). The Senate bill closely mirrors the proposal passed in the House... by dfirestone | Feb 16, 2017 | Uncategorized
OVERVIEW The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has signaled a change in how it monitors compliance with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate. Under this change, tax returns will no longer be automatically rejected if they do not certify whether the... by dfirestone | Feb 2, 2017 | Uncategorized
HOW THE REPEAL OF THE ACA COULD AFFECT EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH PLANS OVERVIEW Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010, employers and health insurance issuers have had to make numerous changes to employer-sponsored group health plans offered to... by dfirestone | Jan 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
OVERVIEW On Jan. 13, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution for fiscal year 2017 to begin the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The budget resolution—which was approved by the U.S. Senate on the preceding day—does... by dfirestone | Jan 1, 2017 | Uncategorized
Dental Insurance – What You Need to Know Aside from protecting your smile, dental care ensures good oral and overall health. Several studies suggest that oral diseases, such as periodontitis (gum disease), can affect other areas of your body—including your... by dfirestone | Jan 1, 2017 | Uncategorized
New Law Allows Stand-alone HRAs for Small Employers OVERVIEW On Dec. 13, 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act (Act) was signed into law. The Act allows small employer HRA’s that do not maintain group health plans to establish stand-alone health reimbursement... by dfirestone | Jan 1, 2017 | Uncategorized
Health Care Reform: Health Insurance Marketplace The Health Insurance Marketplace is an online exchange for buying health insurance. The Marketplace offers a choice of different health plans, certifies plans that participate and provides information to help consumers... by dfirestone | Jan 1, 2017 | Uncategorized
Health Insurance Terms You Need To Know The health care system in the United States can be confusing. In order to get the most out of your health care benefits, you need to understand the terms used by insurance companies, the government, health plans and health care...