Individuals

Posted May 8th, 2018 in Employers, Producers, Individuals

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the status of the Individual Mandate, so we thought it would be appropriate to provide some clarification on its status.

Posted May 1st, 2018 in Employers, Producers, Individuals

On April 26, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced relief for taxpayers with family coverage under a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) who can contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Posted April 19th, 2018 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
This month, our featured Ask the Expert question comes from Melissa in South Carolina. Melissa asks:
 
“I keep hearing that 213(d) expenses are eligible for reimbursement under a Flexible Spending Account. What exactly is a 213(d) expense?”
 
There are a few things to consider when talking about 213(d) expenses in relation to Flexible Spending Accounts. Let’s start off with a definition of 213(d) expenses.
 
Posted April 3rd, 2018 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Last month, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R -PA) introduced the Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act. The proposed legislation would improve and enhance Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and unlike most other HSA initiatives, this bill has bipartisan support.

HSAs have been an agenda item for the Republican party since their inception in 2004, but they are now gaining support amongst Democrats too. The Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act is co-authored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and is being co-sponsored by a mixture of Republicans and Democrats including Erik Paulsen (R-MN), Ron Kind (D-WI), Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

Posted March 29th, 2018 in Employers, Producers, Individuals
Last week, President Donald Trump signed into law a 2,232-page federal spending bill avoiding another government shutdown. In the days leading up to the bill’ s passage, it appeared that Congressional leaders were on the verge of including funds which aimed to stabilize the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 
 
Posted March 27th, 2018 in Employers, Producers, Individuals
On Monday, March 5, 2018, the IRS published Internal Revenue Bulletin (IRB) 2018-10 that contains Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2018-19. 
 
Effective for calendar year 2018, the family contribution limit for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) has been lowered to $6,850 from the previously set amount of $6,900. 
 
There has been no change in the individual contribution limit of $3,450 or the catch-up contribution limit of $1,000 for calendar year 2018.
 
Posted March 13th, 2018 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
The Idaho Test – Last Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shot down the state of Idaho’s plan to allow for the sale of health insurance plans which don’t comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Idaho officials wanted less expensive plans to be available for purchase in their state, but these plans could use medical underwriting and wouldn’t have to cover all ten of the essential health benefits.
Posted March 6th, 2018 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
In 2012, a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) found its way all the up to the U.S. Supreme Court. At the time, an argument was made that the Individual Mandate was not constitutional. The Individual Mandate requires most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty, and this provision has been considered the main crutch that has kept the ACA standing. 
 
Posted March 1st, 2018 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
Flexible Benefit Service LLC (Flex) is proud to announce that we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary in 2018. From our humble beginnings in 1988 to the experienced, scalable business we are today, Flex has always been willing to evolve with the needs of our clients and business partners throughout the US. 
 
We are also excited to introduce our new company tagline – Leading the way
 
Posted February 27th, 2018 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
In October 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order instructing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Treasury (DOT) – collectively known as the “tri-agencies” – to consider proposing rules that would expand short-term, limited duration insurance, also known as short-term medical plans (STM plans). 
 

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