October 2024

ACA’s Pay-or-Play Affordability Percentage Increases for 2025   Final Rule Strengthens Mental Health Parity Law   October Health Literacy Month   October HR Brief   ACA’s Pay-or-Play Affordability Percentage Increases for 2025 On Sept. 6, 2024, the IRS released the affordability percentage threshold for 2025 plan years under the Affordable Read more…

August 2024

5th Circuit Requires Health Plans to Continue Providing Free Preventive Care Draft Forms for 2024 ACA Reporting Released 5th Circuit Requires Health Plans to Continue Providing Free Preventive Care The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that a key component of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive care Read more…

July 2024

https://5209946.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5209946/HOLIDAY/HealthSure_July_4th.mp4 IRS FAQs on Educational Assistance Programs The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) that provide general information on educational assistance programs under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). Under a Section 127 educational assistance program, employers can provide their employees with up to Read more…

June 2024

HSA/HDHP Limits Will Increase for 2025 On May 9, 2024, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2024-25 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2025. The IRS is required to publish these limits by June 1 of each year. These limits Read more…

February 2024

ACA Reporting Deadlines Are Approaching Employers subject to Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 or 6056 should prepare to comply with upcoming reporting deadlines. For the 2023 calendar year, covered employers must: Furnish statements to individuals by March 1, 2024 (an alternative method of furnishing Read more…

January 2024

Health Plans Must Expand Price Comparison Tool for 2024 Beginning in 2024, group health plans and health insurance issuers must expand the internet-based price comparison tool available to participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees to include all covered items, services, and drugs. This tool aims to provide consumers with real-time estimates of Read more…

Volume 49

In this Issue A Rural Vaccine for the Medicare Advantage Pandemic? Patient education and local advocacy can be effective antigens By Brant Couch | CEO HealthSure (Note: This article includes content from staff interviews with John Henderson, President Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH), Alan Morgan, CEO National Read more…

Volume 40

COVID crisis will eclipse any changes to ACA 5 Mental Health Employee Benefits Trends for 2021 Cyber Wars on the Rural Frontlines COVID crisis will eclipse any changes to ACA Changes to the ACA may be of little consequence in 2021 By Brant Couch, CIC, CPA Little has changed with Read more…

CHIC Logo

Take the Community Hospital Insurance Coalition (CHIC) for example. With our expert support and management, more than 30 rural hospitals who have come together to own this medical stop-loss reinsurance company. They are paying less for their insurance, improving benefits program performance, and receiving their share of a significant annual surplus cash distribution (~$2.5 million since inception in 2018).