Employers have lost a significant margin of error when it comes to ACA information reporting in 2016. As previously discussed, as the good faith standard for incomplete or inaccurate reporting …
2016
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The IRS has revealed some more drafts for their 2016 reporting forms, and already things have changed. You may recall in an earlier ACA Times article where the topics of …
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ACA ComplianceAffordable Care Act
Guess Which State Is Taking A Step Toward Correcting Employee Misclassifications?
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenSince 2015, the topic of employee misclassification has been a hot one. Thank companies like Dave & Busters—who came under fire for allegedly doctoring hours to fall below the ACA’s …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoveragePolls/Surveys
The ACA Brings Another Win To California
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn the 4th Kaiser Family Foundation Longitudinal Panel Survey, some impressive findings surround the state of California. The survey polled a randomly selected pool of uninsured adult Californians and tracked …
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Affordable Care Act
The ACA Comes Under Fire Again For Allocations Of Funds
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOnce again furthering the rift between the Democrats’ and Republicans’ respective opinions of the Affordable Care Act, cost-sharing reductions return to question. In a hearing held in July, a representative …
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The IRS has released the draft Form 1095-C, which clarifies coding for coverage for COBRA. At the start of 2016, the FAQ section of the IRS site no longer provided …
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MedicaidPolls/Surveys
Medicaid Expansion Proves Big Wins In Kentucky And Arkansas
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThink Medicaid expansion doesn’t help those in need? Think again. In a study from the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine released in August, states which have expanded …
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With ACA reporting deadlines approaching soon, the IRS has issued draft updates to forms 1094-C and 1095-C which large employers must use to report on certain health plan information to …
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Affordable Care ActPenaltiesRegulations
ACA Penalties For Missing Information? Maybe Not, If You Act Responsibly
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAt the close of July, the IRS issued proposed regulations around the filing of forms 1094 and 1095. Under IRC 6055, certain large employers must file information returns 1094 and …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Form 5500’s Proposed Changes: An Update
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenNews that the DOL planned to change Form 5500 surfaced several weeks ago and now more information has become available. In line with recent increased focus from the DOL and …
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Health Care Reform
States Feel Shifts In Medicaid Expansion As New Governors Take Office
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenMedicaid expansion is not a fixed journey, as we’re slowly learning from states like Kentucky and Louisiana. The Wall Street Journal reports a pleasant change in events for the aforementioned …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Troubles With Uber And The “Gig” Economy Extend Overseas
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOver the past year, we’ve watched Uber go through a rollercoaster ride. It all started when drivers who at random points throughout the year exceeded a 30 hour work week, …
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Affordable Care ActMinimum Essential Coverage
Minimum Essential Coverage: Looking Ahead Toward 2016 Reporting
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenLet’s call the details of the Affordable Care Act a work in progress, even still. Since its humble 2010 beginnings, the ACA has evolved based upon the needs of (almost) …
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Affordable Care Act
The ACA’s 2016 Reporting Forms Are Changing: View The IRS Drafts
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOver the past two months, the IRS has gradually rolled out ACA reporting forms for 2016. So far? 1094-B and 1095-B have been changed, as well as 1094-C and 1095-C. …
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Employers were given a gift of sorts from the IRS and the ACA when extensions for paper filings were extended to 5/31/16 and electronic filings were extended to 6/30/16. Perhaps …
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Affordable Care Act
New Study Finds That Premiums Are Still Down Thanks To The ACA
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOf all the preconceived notions surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), anything money related remains at the forefront. As insurance companies claim financial hits due to reduced marketplace premiums, on …
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Health Care CoverageHealth Insurance Marketplace
Hey Cigna, Welcome To Chicago!
by Robert Sheenby Robert Sheen2016 has been a confusing one for many Americans who question the security of their health insurance providers. As major companies like UnitedHealthcare are swiftly withdrawing from certain exchanges nationwide …
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By the time July kicked off, many employers received notices from the Health Insurance Marketplace aka “the Exchange,” provided by the Affordable Care Act where individuals and families can obtain …
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One of the most talked about issues regarding employers and health care for their employees is under Internal Revenue Code 4980H. This Code, being Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Deciphering Expatriate Health Plans
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenExpatriate health plans (or “Expat Health Plans”) have led to much confusion ever since the ACA came into effect in 2010. Simply put, expats (or anyone living/working abroad) struggled with …
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Affordable Care ActPenalties
SBA Posts New Interim Rule on SBA Loan Review Decisions Under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenPenalties are no joking matter when it comes to employers and the Affordable Care Act. A slip up in paperwork, negligence in reporting, or not offering minimum essential coverage to …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoveragePolls/Surveys
Gallup Poll Suggest Health Care Insecurity Is Now At A Record Low, But For How Long?
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn 2008, Gallup—in conjunction with Healthways—started following health care insecurity, keeping track of affordability. Notably, this year marks an all-time low for health care insecurity since tracking began. Gallup-Healthways’ Well-Being Index, a survey …
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Department of Labor (DOL)
The DOL Proposes Revisions To Form 5500: Here’s What We Know So Far
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenForm 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan and Form 5500-SF Short Form Annual Return/Report of Small Employee Benefit Plan may be receiving some changes effective January 1, 2019 should …
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Affordable Care ActAIR
Breathe A Sigh Of Relief: AIR Is Still Available
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenMany employers have struggled with their health care information reporting for the 2015 tax year. Those difficulties include confusing forms, tedious reporting processes, and technological setbacks. While penalties are perhaps …
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Affordable Care ActForm 1095-CHealth Care Coverage
Understanding Form 1095-C And What To Do About Errors
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenFor many employers,Form 1095-C is a new document. It is the Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage form, used to report that you have offered health care to full-time employees. …
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Affordable Care ActPremium Tax CreditRegulationsShared Responsibility Payment
IRS Update: Premium Tax Credit And Shared Responsibility Payment
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenNew regulations have arrived for the ACA’s Premium Tax Credit and Shared Responsibility Payment provisions. For the 2015 tax year, many employers and employees encountered difficulties with regard to the …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Insurance Marketplace
Marketplace Notices: They’re Not (Always) As Bad As You Think
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn May, the ACA Times released an article detailing what exactly a notice from the Health Insurance Marketplace entails. As previously stated, this notice is to inform employers that one …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoveragePenalties
ACA Modifications: We’re Not In 2010 Anymore
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWhen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was first enacted in 2010, it was with the understanding that changes would be made to the ACA after the fact. Health care reform …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Understanding Economic Realities Testing With Employee Misclassification
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe roles of independent contractors and full-time employees were often ambiguous in the past, as arguably employers’ means of classification relied in how the job was done versus who was …
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ACA ComplianceAffordable Care ActTax Filings
Don’t Make 2015’s Mistakes In 2016
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe June 30, 2016 deadline for employers to file their applicable 2015 health care tax return with theIRShas passed.For many employers, the damage is done.Skipped deadlines, misclassifications, and ignoring of …
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Affordable Care ActApplicable Large Employer (ALE)
Small Businesses Are Still Not Moved By Health Care Tax Credits, Per Update From The GAO
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenApplicable Large Employers, i.e. those with 50 or more full-time or full-time equivalent employees, have reluctantly taken to the ACA’s mandate for employer-sponsored health care for its employees. And while …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Despite An Increase In Health Costs, Americans Find Health Care Affordable
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenFor ACA naysayers, one argument posed is that the Affordable Care Act is all but affordable. However a recent study by Gallup suggests that most Americans can afford their health …
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ACA ComplianceHealth Care Coverage
Employers: Keep Your ACA Compliance, Even In Your Health Plan Language
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWhile employers have been urged to maintain ACA compliance when it comes to reporting the health care information of its employees, there’s more to it. The Employee Retirement Income Security …
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Affordable Care ActPolitical Parties
GOP Senate funds the ACA in 2017 joining Democrats
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt comes as no surprise that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is favored more among Democrats than Republicans. However, perhaps the tides are changing, at least when it comes to …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageRegulations
The Nondiscrimination Provision of the ACA Comes Into Effect On July 18th
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenSection 1557 of the Affordable Care Act was finalized on May 18, 2016, and will be coming into effect two months from that date on July 18, 2016. However, any …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoveragePolls/Surveys
Assisters Prove Helpful In ACA Open Enrollment
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, the results proved the Affordable Care Act’s 2016 open enrollment had a much-needed push from assisters and brokers. The open enrollment period lasted …
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ACA ComplianceAffordable Care ActHealth Insurance Marketplace
Study Reveals The Health Insurance Marketplace Doesn’t Have The Highest Premiums
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThink the Health Insurance Marketplace has the highest premiums? Think again. A report by the Commonwealth Fund reveals that the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace is not the most expensive place …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Insurance Marketplace
UnitedHealth Bids Farewell To The ACA In CA
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt comes as no surprise that UnitedHealth Group is not a fan of the Affordable Care Act. This year, the health care provider claimed a financial hit in 2015 due …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Premiums Up, With The Uninsured Down
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt’s been quite a rollercoaster ride for the Affordable Care Act this year, as companies like UnitedHealth have spiked their premiums in an effort to combat what they reportedly found …
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Affordable Care Act
Louisiana Joins Other States In Medicaid Expansion
by Robert Sheenby Robert Sheen**Updated 7/6/2016, 2:15pm** Of all the hot topics surrounding the Affordable Care Act, the state-to-state expansion of Medicaid is perhaps the hottest. Medicaid expansion arguably draws the line between Democrats …
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For those thinking that the IRS may come a’calling, that won’t be happening anymore…at least when it comes to initial contact. In a memo dated May 20, 2016, phone calls …
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ACA AuditACA ComplianceAffordable Care ActIRSPenalties
It’s Deadline Day! File Your ACA Forms or Face A Penalty
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWe’ve finally reached this point. Today (June 30) marks that day that all Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) with 50 or more full-time equivalents must electronically file forms 1094-C and 1095-C. …
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AIRTax Filings
It’s Deadline Day! File Your Health Care Forms Or Face A Penalty
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWe’ve finally reached this point. Today (June 30). If you’re self-insuring your employees, then you must also file forms 1094-B and 1095-B. If filed incorrectly, penalties will follow. It’s a …
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Affordable Care ActCovered CaliforniaHealth Care Coverage
California Pioneers Move To Provide Health Care To All Immigrants
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOn June 23, President Obama’s championing for Immigration reform received some sobering news when the Supreme Court thwarted Obama’s plan to protect certain illegal immigrants from possible deportation. It was …
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ACA ComplianceTIGTA
Is Cybersecurity An Issue When Using The ACV? The TIGTA Weighs In
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) released a report highlighting security and testing risks when determining ACA compliance through the IRS’s ACA Compliance Validation System (ACV). Considering the …
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Affordable Care ActAIRPenaltiesRegulations
Demystifying “Good Faith” And “Reasonable Cause”
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt was just a week ago that the IRS held their Affordable Care Act Information Returns Program (AIR) meeting, and with it came the annual publication (1586) highlighting several procedures …
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ACA AuditACA CompliancePenalties
To Audit Or Not To Audit: How An ACA Audit Can Save Your Company’s Pockets
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt feels like the year of penalties for employers this tax season, primarily those classified by the ACA for an Applicable Large Employer (50+ full-time equivalents). This is due largely …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoveragePenalties
The 5W’s Of Employer Notices: Don’t Be Penalized
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt’s notice season! As an employer, you may have received a letter regarding the health care coverage of one or more of your employees. Could this notice lead to penalties …
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ACA ComplianceAffordable Care ActLawsuits
Valve is being sued. Will there be any Steam left after this lawsuit?
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenLast year, Uber became entangled in multiple employee misclassification lawsuits. These primarily involved individual incidents where contracted drivers exceeded the hourly threshold to be deemed “full-time” under the Affordable Care …
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Affordable Care ActEqual Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)Health Care Coverage
EEOC’s Final Rules On Wellness Programs Prove Workplace Wellness Is On The Rise
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt’s an often-overlooked aspect of preventative health care. We’re told to eat right, exercise, and take doctor-prescribed medications on schedule and any vitamins or minerals. However, when it comes to …