The IRS has again determined that some employers, insurers and other providers of Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) need additional time to gather and analyze the information and prepare the 2019 Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to be furnished to individuals. Therefore, they have provided an additional 31 days for furnishing the 2019 forms to employees.

Notice 2019-63 provides employers with an extended due date from Jan. 31, 2020, to March 2, 2020 to provide employees with the 2019 1095 forms.

Notice 2019-63 does not extend the due date for filing forms with the IRS for 2019. The due date for filing with the IRS remains Feb. 28, 2020 (paper filing) or March 31, 2020 (if filing electronically).

Refer to the below bulletin for additional details, and contact your NEEBCo representative with any questions you may have.

IRS Provides Transition Relief for 2019 ACA Reporting

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), health insurance and medical fraud is one of the most common frauds in terms of frequency and average cost. Fake insurance companies can defraud consumers by collecting premiums with no intention or ability to pay claims. These “companies” may offer policies at costs that are significantly lower than the traditional market price in order to woo consumers who are trying to save money.

Consumers should be on the lookout for the following warning signs, as they may indicate that an insurance company is fake:

• If an agent or broker is very aggressive and pressures a consumer by saying they must sign up for a policy right away (sometimes adding…or the premiums will go up).
• The premiums from one company are a lot lower (more than 15-20% less) than other companies’ comparable coverage.
• When a consumer tries to call the insurer to get more details or ask a question, they can’t find a listed phone number, or it is very difficult to get through on the phone.

The NAIC advises consumers to stop and confirm the company they are about to do business with is legitimate before signing an application for an insurance policy or writing a check to an insurance company. The state insurance department can quickly verify whether an insurance company exists and is authorized to sell insurance in their state.

See the attached link for additional information and contact your NEEBCo representative with questions.

NAIC – Insurance Fraud

NH Insurance Department

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2019-44, which increased the health FSA dollar limit on employee salary reduction contributions to $2,750 for taxable years beginning in 2020. It also includes annual inflation numbers for 2020 for a number of other tax provisions.

An employer may continue to impose its own health FSA limit, as long as it does not exceed the ACA’s maximum limit for the plan year. This means that an employer may continue to use the 2019 maximum limit for its 2020 plan year.

Contact your NEEBCo representative with questions.

Health FSA Limit Will Increase for 2020

Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, some employers will be able to offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs) to help employees pay for health insurance.

As a result, on Sept. 30, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published proposed regulations on how the following federal requirements will affect ICHRAs:

• The Section 4980H employer shared responsibility rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA); and
• The federal nondiscrimination requirements in Internal Revenue Code (Code) Section 105(h).

Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until Dec. 30, 2019.  Taxpayers generally may rely on the guidance provided in the proposed rule prior to a final rule being issued.

Contact us today to learn more about the proposed rule.

Impact of ICHRAs on ACA

Even the healthiest of people can come down with the flu. In the wake of back-to-back deadly flu seasons, experts are urging people to properly prepare this year. It’s time to take action to protect your workplace as much as possible. Contact us today for all the resources you need to prevent an office-wide flu outbreak.

Flu shots – Get the Facts

Knowing how your benefits—which are a major attraction and retention tool—compare to those of employers across the country is key. Don’t wait any longer to ask for your copy of a summary of the 2019 Employer Health Benefits Survey, an annual survey of employer-sponsored health benefits from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust.

Summary of the 2019 Employer Health Benefits Annual Survey

NH Insurance Commissioner John Elias ordered Aliera Healthcare, Inc. and Trinity Healthcare, Inc. to immediately stop selling or renewing illegal health insurance in New Hampshire.

Aliera, an unlicensed insurance company in New Hampshire, has been administering and marketing health coverage on behalf of Trinity Healthshare, who represents itself as a health care sharing ministry. A legal health care sharing ministry is a nonprofit organization in existence since December 31, 1999, whose members share a common set of ethical or religious beliefs and share medical expenses among members.

The Department’s Consumer Services Division received dozens of complaints and concerns from consumers.

“There are legitimate health care sharing ministries that offer coverage for their members, but Aliera and Trinity are not one of them,” said Elias. “Unfortunately, we are seeing entities in the marketplace that are misleading consumers and finding ways to try to avoid insurance regulation. It is important for consumers to be cautious when they purchase health coverage and to reach out to the Department when they have questions or concerns.”

Aliera also markets their products under the company name Ensurian.

Refer to the below press release and contact your NEEBCo representative with questions.

Press Release-Aliera

Open enrollment is a stressful time for employers and employees. To make the enrollment process as smooth as possible, it is important that employers educate and communicate with their employees effectively.

Contact your NEEBCo representative today to learn how you can maximize enrollment for your employees.

Maximizing Open Enrollment

Chronic fatigue, which causes decreased productivity and increased absenteeism, costs employers nearly $136 billion annually. Despite these serious consequences of fatigue, there’s good news. You can encourage employees to focus on getting more sleep with the use of a sleep wellness program.

Contact your NEEBCo representative today to learn more.

Sleep Program Employer Guide

Federal agencies have finalized resources to promote compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), including final FAQs and a model disclosure request form. Employers should consider using these resources to review their group health plan’s compliance with MHPAEA.

Contact your NEEBCo representative to learn more about MHPAEA and these new compliance resources.

Mental Health Parity Compliance