Newsline

ABC Supports DOL Proposals on ARPs and HRAs

On Dec. 21, ABC submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration in support of its proposed rule to allow small and mid-sized businesses to band together and offer 401(k) plans to their employees through association retirement plans. READ MORE

IRS Issues Guidance on Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

On April 27, the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance on providing relief for certain small businesses that wish to claim the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit for 2017 and later years. READ MORE

Association Health Plans a Common-sense Solution, ABC Tells DOL

On March 6, ABC submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration saying that association health plans provide a common-sense solution to increasing access to health care for individuals and reduce the burden on small businesses that have been affected by the Affordable Care Act.  READ MORE

DOL Publishes Proposed Rule on Association Health Plans

On Jan. 5, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register on the expansion of Association Health Plans (AHPs). According to a DOL press release, the proposed rule would increase access for small businesses to offer employment-based health insurance through AHPs and give access to 11 million small business employees/sole proprietors and their families who do not have employer-sponsored insurance.  READ MORE

Republicans Release New Health Care Proposals

On Oct. 17, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced a short-term deal aimed at stabilizing the individual health insurance market and lowering the costs of premiums.
READ MORE

HHS Delays SHOP Online Enrollment for Small Employers

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) Nov. 27 announced that online enrollment for small businesses in the federally-facilitated Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace will be delayed one year until November 2014.  
READ MORE

Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchanges) Enrollment Began Oct. 1

Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace (or Exchanges) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) began on Oct. 1. ABC’s Insurance Trust advises that it may be prudent for ABC members to hold off on taking any action.
READ MORE

Employers Must Provide Employees Notice of Exchange Coverage Options

Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access to health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (or Exchange). Open enrollment for coverage through the Marketplace begins Oct. 1, 2013. Section 18B of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as added by section 1512 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), requires employers to provide all new hires and current employees with a written notice about the Marketplace. 
READ MORE

ABC Offers Feedback on D.C.'s Health Insurance Exchange Proposal

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, states will be required to operate health insurance exchanges – marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can purchase private health insurance – beginning in 2014. Over the last several months, ABC has provided suggestions on how the exchanges can best be implemented. READ MORE

Guidance Issued on Health Insurance Exchanges and Summary of Benefits

The Department of Health and Human Services on May 16 issued new guidance for states on health insurance exchanges. In addition, HHS in conjunction with the Departments of Labor and Treasury, released an additional set of frequently asked questions regarding implementation of the summary of benefits and coverage provisions included in the health care law.
READ MORE