Cutting corners on tax or insurance rules might seem harmless, but the consequences can be severe. Brokers and employers should lead with compliance, not risk their clients and employees with bad advice.
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Week 54: The HSA ‘Loophole’ for Adult Children on Your Plan
A little-known quirk in the HSA rules means adult children under 26 can sometimes open their own HSA and contribute at the family maximum – even if their parents are doing the same. Here’s how this unusual but valid “loophole”...
Week 53: The ‘Why’ of Medicare Can Be Misleading
This week: Many health plans use “% of Medicare” as a benchmark for hospital pricing. It sounds straightforward, but depending on how it’s applied, it can lead to very different results and, in some cases, misleading comparisons...
Week 52: The 6-Month Retroactive Part A Trap for HSAs
Many people keep working past 65, stay on an HSA-qualified plan, and delay Medicare to keep contributing to their HSA. That strategy can work, until they apply for Medicare or start Social Security. When they do, Medicare Part A...
Week 51: Captives: A Middle Path Between Fully Insured and Self-Funded
This week: We take a closer look at health insurance captives – an alternative funding strategy that allows small and mid-size employers to self-insure while sharing risk with other employers. Captives can provide the cost...
Week 50: Is Consumer-Directed Health Care Still a Thing?
This week: Many employers think CDHC is old news, a relic of the past, but the truth is, consumer education and support tools are more critical than ever. High-deductible plans alone won’t cut it: employees need HSAs, pricing...
Week 49: When Coverage Isn’t Enough: The Hidden Costs of Drug Access
Even with good insurance, many Americans face a second, quieter battle: getting their prescribed medications without delay or financial distress. Between sky-high drug prices, complex benefit designs, and prior-authorization...
Week 48: What’s in the Rest of the ACA?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is best known for Title I, which created exchanges, subsidies, and the employer mandate – but that’s just one part of the law. With 10 titles in total, the ACA also reshaped Medicaid, Medicare...
Week 47: Missed ACA Reporting? What an ALE Should Do When the IRS Comes Calling
Got an IRS Letter 5699 asking “Where are your Forms 1094-C/1095-C?” It’s a fixable situation – call the number to request a 30-day extension, note the agent’s name and badge, and work with a TPA to file missing years quickly so...
Week 46: How the ACA Look-Back Method Works for Variable-Hour Employees
The ACA’s look-back method lets employers average hours over time and “lock in” full-time status for variable-hour and seasonal staff, avoiding month-to-month surprises. Define and follow the four periods – measurement...