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1 in 5 Americans Struggle With Medical Bills
One in five (20%) working-age Americans with health insurance say problems paying medical bills often force them to work longer hours, take a second job, spend less on food, use Read More
275,000 Select Plans in Week 8
Nearly 275,000 consumers selected health care plans through the Healthcare.gov online marketplace during the eighth week of open enrollment, according to the “weekly snapshot report” issued by the Department of Read More
Reporting Deadlines Extended
The IRS has extended by almost two months the due date for providing employees with Affordable Care Act information forms, and provided an extra three months for filing the required Read More
Medicaid and ACA Split the GOP
Republicans in Congress are finding themselves in the awkward position of arguing against the Affordable Care Act and its expansion of Medicaid coverage at the same time that Republican governors Read More
About The New ACA Information Statements
Recognizing that many individuals will receive new ACA information statements for the first time in 2016, the IRS issued a memo aimed at helping consumers understand the documents. The explanation Read More
Medical Expenses a Burden for Low-Income Insureds
The combined costs of premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses can exceed 20% of household income for some low-income individuals who purchase health insurance through an Affordable Care Act exchange, a Read More
Guidance on the Health Coverage Tax Credit
The IRS has issued Notice 2016-02 to provide information regarding the health coverage tax credit, or HCTC. The 14-page notice explains who can claim the HCTC, the amount of the Read More
“Pay or Play” Penalties For 2015 and 2016
The IRS has announced the 2015 and 2016 “pay or play” penalties, adjusted for inflation, that may be imposed on employers who fail to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s Read More
Why the Number of Employees Matters
Employer benefits, opportunities and requirements under the Affordable Care Act are all dependent upon the employer’s workforce size, the IRS points out. Generally, an employer with 50 or more full-time Read More
The Information Employers Must Provide, and When
The IRS reminds employers that, beginning in 2016, the Affordable Care Act requires them and other providers of minimum essential coverage to report certain information about employees’ health coverage in Read More
1.3 Million Sign Up in Week 6
More than 1.3 million consumers signed up for health coverage through the Healthcare.gov online marketplace during the sixth week of open enrollment, according to the “weekly snapshot report” issued by Read More
Congress Suspends “Cadillac” and Medical Device Taxes
Congress has delayed for two years implementation the Affordable Care Act’s controversial “Cadillac Tax” on costly plans, suspended for two years the on medical devices. The changes were included in Read More
Help for Shoppers Added To HealthCare.gov
New consumer shopping aids are being made available to visitors to Healthcare.gov, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced. The new Out of Pocket Cost calculator, Doctor and Read More
Federal Fees Cause States to Consider Own Exchanges
The prospect of stiff new fees for using the federal Healthcare.gov online marketplace is causing several states to consider launching their own Affordable Care Act platforms, despite some previous attempts Read More
California Targets Neighborhoods With High Rates Of Uninsured
Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act insurance exchange, is intensifying efforts to sign people up in areas of the state that have exceptionally high numbers of uninsured residents. It Read More
Week 5 Plan Selections Top 800,000
The Healthcare.govonline marketplace was used by 804,338 consumers to select insurance plans during the fifth week of open enrollment, according to the “weekly snapshot report” issued by the Department of Read More
ACA Reporting Deadlines are Approaching
The IRS has issued a reminder of the deadlines for applicable large employers to file Affordable Care Act information reports, and pointed out that the requirements apply whether or not Read More
When Insurance Can Be Excluded From Income
A memo from the IRS Chief Counsel clarifies when an employer’s payment for health insurance provided under a spouse’s group health plan can be excluded from the employee’s income. The Read More
HHS Wants To Ease Exemption Claims
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) wants to make it easier for low-income people to take advantage of the “hardship exemption” from the individual mandate of the Affordable Read More
ACA Is Benefiting Minorities
The Affordable Care Act has significantly improved access to healthcare for African-Americans and Latinos, with those groups benefiting slightly more whites, according to a study published in a medical journal. Read More
How Will The Newly Insured Vote?
As millions of Americans have gained health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, analysts are pondering whether this change in status will have implications on how these individuals vote. Read More
Week 4 Plan Selections Near 395,000
The Healthcare.gov online marketplace was used by 394,732 consumers to select insurance plans during the fourth week of open enrollment, according to the “weekly snapshot report” issued by the Department Read More
