Employee Benefits

Posted July 25th, 2014 in Producers, Employers

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) as a way to help improve clinical effectiveness. The research institute is partially funded by fees charged to health plans, including some Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and some Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). The fees are payable over a seven year time period and started for the first time last year.

The next round of PCORI fees are due to the IRS by July 31, 2014 and are payable via Form 720 by applicable employers for plan years ending in 2013

Posted April 17th, 2014 in Producers
Congratulations on making it through the craziness of the first individual open enrollment period and small group early renewal process. Some of you may still be finalizing the clean up and reconciliation process for any newly sold business. As you are finishing this task and the weather finally improves it may be tempting to play lots of golf or escape for a long vacation during the Spring/Summer months. This "off-season," however, is the time to remain the most disciplined.
 
Posted April 2nd, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Each year on April 2, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) champions the effort to recognize all those who participate in the employee benefits industry and their hard work. As an IFEBP member, Flexible Benefit Service LLC (Flex) wants to thank you for your business and remind you to participate in the festivities, as well.

Posted February 19th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

When it comes to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), one of the most common questions we hear is, “Can people aged 65 and older contribute to an HSA?” Many people would answer no to this question, but that is not always the case.

The fact that someone turns 65 does not automatically disqualify him from making contributions to an HSA, but enrollment in Medicare does.

Posted January 22nd, 2014 in Producers, Employers

An employer can be fined up to $100 per day for every employee that had a waiting period in excess of 90 calendar days.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a new rule that group health plans cannot have a waiting period of more than 90 calendar days.

Posted January 17th, 2014 in Employers

After nearly thirty years of lobbying the “Use-It-or-Lose-It” rule has been changed. Now the option is left to you, the plan sponsor, whether or not it is the right thing to implement for your company. Let’s take a look at some of the scenarios and helpful tips for the healthcare flexible spending account (FSA) rollover option in terms of an adoption lifecycle (a model that shows the trend of acceptance to a new concept over time).

Posted May 3rd, 2013 in Employers, Producers

Recent guidance helped clarify some of the confusion about Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees applicable to Health Reimbursement
Arrangements (HRAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). It was originally thought that the fee would be applicable to all covered lives including spouses and dependents. That is no longer the case in some instances.

Posted March 22nd, 2013 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have jointly issued rules that define affordable coverage. Employers and employees still have several questions about how this affects penalty calculations and subsidy eligibility.

The following offers some insight on these key issues:

Posted December 18th, 2012 in Employers

Between lengthy meetings at the office, frantic shoppers and frenzied holiday music, it can be hard to stay focused on the fact that the year is coming to a close. In fact, with all the water cooler talk about the world ending it is even anticlimactic.

Posted December 4th, 2012 in Individuals

If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), the year-end FSA frenzy is here. FSA participants that may have contributed too much money may be in panic mode, but it does not have to be that way for you. Let’s take a look at some ways to use your FSA money.

Visit your:

  • Doctor to make sure to get all immunizations done.
  • Dentist/Orthodontist to get a check up on those pearly whites.
  • Optometrist to get an eye exam! Buy a new pair of eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, contact lenses, or even stock up on contact lens solution.
  • Dermatologist to get prescriptions, such as acne treatments.

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