Many Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) were met with a few surprises in 2016 when it came to their employees’ healthcare. As companies were still finding their footing with required offerings…
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Form 1095-BTax Filings
Form 1095-B Has Been Updated For the 2016 Tax Year
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe IRS has been updating several forms for the 2016 tax year. We’ve seen the final updated Forms 1094-C and 1095-C. Form 1095-B has also seen some changes. The Form,…
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Health Care CoverageIRS
The IRS’s Cost-of-Living Adjustments: An Infographic
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe 2016 calendar year is closing out, and with it comes a variety of healthcare care related fee adjustments happening for 2017. The ACA Times has revealed the amounts we…
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Affordable Care Act
Small Businesses Approved For Health Reimbursement Accounts
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenMuch of the news surrounding healthcare as of late had included strengthening relationships with Applicable Large Employers and their sponsored healthcare. However, on December 13, the 21st Century Cures Act…
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The IRS has released its adjusted figures for certain fees coming into the new year. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee being one of them. The fee was started…
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ACA Resource
Employer’s Guide to Coding The 1095-C Forms
Head into the ACA filing season with the guide that makes it crystal clear how to complete Forms 1095-C. Including real world scenarios and a code glossary, the Employer’s Guide to Coding ACA Form 1095-C has you covered with everything you need to know to file with confidence.
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Indiana residents now have a concern about their healthcare, which perhaps they didn’t have before. In his past career as Indiana Governor, Vice President-Elect Mike Pence was one of the…
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Affordable Care Act
Rural America Is Concerned For The Fate Of Their Healthcare
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed for the expansion of Medicaid in Kentucky, providing healthcare for over 440,000 residents of low income households statewide. USA Today’s The Gleaner…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
The State Of The ACA and Beyond: An Infographic
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt should come as no surprise that a repeal of the Affordable Care Act has effects that will echo into a number of factors affecting Americans. But just how complex…
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Affordable Care Act
McDonald’s and Franchisees May Need to Rethink Their Treatment of Franchise Workers
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenMcDonald’s Corporation recently agreed to pay $3.75 million to settle an employment class action involving workers in McDonald’s franchise-operated stores. A fairness hearing is scheduled to be heard on December…
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Affordable Care ActMedicaid/Medicare
With Trump In, Is Medicare Out?
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenPresident-Elect Donald Trump has remained cavalier in his plans and directions for the healthcare of our nation. Throughout his campaign, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was targeted for repeal and…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Rewinding The Clock: An ACA Repeal Would Put Money Back In The Wealthy’s Pockets
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAt face value, it’s difficult for many to comprehend exactly what a repeal of the Affordable Care Act would entail during the upcoming Trump Administration. For some, there’s really no…
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Form 5500Reporting
Proposed Changes To Form 5500? Here Are Some More Per AICPA
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOver the past year, Form 5500 has gone through changes and proposed modifications in an effort to streamline healthcare information reporting on the part of employers. The Department of Labor,…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageHealth Savings Accounts (HSAs)
HSAs And The Rich: A Perfect Combination
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenPresident-Elect Donald Trump’s plans for the fate of our healthcare remains a work in progress. During the 2016 election, Trump stated that he fully intended to repeal Obama’s Affordable Care…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Reform
Trump Picks Price and Verma to Lead the Charge to a Conservative Approach to Healthcare Reform
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenDonald Trump recently announced his pick of Rep. Tom Price (R-Georgia) to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quickly followed by his announcement of picking Seem Verma…
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ACA Compliance
Regardless of Election & Rhetoric, Employers Are Still on the Hook for 2016 ACA Reporting
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt remains unclear whether Trump and the Republican-majority Congress will repeal and replace the ACA. Shortly after loudly pledging that he will repeal and replace the ACA, just three days…
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2016 Presidential ElectionAffordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Enrollment On ACA Healthcare Exchanges Hits The One Million Mark In Two Weeks
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAs we’re nearing the end of 2016, big changes appear to be on the horizon. Our President-Elect Donald Trump has been selected as the 45th President and while his plans…
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Affordable Care Act
That Spike In Premium Rates Probably Won’t Affect Your Marketplace Plan
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenFear of premium hikes comes with good reason. As those looking to renew their health plans from the Federal Healthcare Insurance Marketplace Exchange (Federal Exchange) under the Affordable Care Act…
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ACA ComplianceEqual Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
What Will Happen Next With The Gig Economy?
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIndependent contractors have gone from side help for employers to the backbone of many companies. The “gig” economy as it’s now called, includes any of said contractors who work within…
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Affordable Care ActRegulations
The Verdict On UK’s Uber Employee Classification Case Is “Groundbreaking”
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenUber has proven to be both a gift and a curse over the years. While the mobile car service app appears to have cornered a market previously held by more…
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ACA CompliancePenaltiesReporting
ACA’s 2016 Penalties Are Estimated to Near $31 Billion
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOver the course of 2016, the ACA Times has reported on ways for employers to comply with mandates of the Affordable Care Act in an effort to avoid paying large…
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ACA Compliance
ACA Reporting Extension & Good Faith Relief From Penalties
by Robert Sheenby Robert Sheen2017 is just around the corner, and there’s news from the IRS on important changes. The IRS’s Notice 2016-70, arriving in IRB 2016-49 dated December 5, 2016, highlights some of…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageRegulations
New Regulations Redefine Short-Term, Limited Duration Insurance
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWhile the nation was preoccupied with the 2016 Presidential Election, Congress was pushing on with more finalized regulations involving the Affordable Care Act. Last month, the Departments of the Treasury,…
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Applicable Large Employer (ALE)Reporting
A Vital Infographic For All ALEs
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe IRS has released a 7-point breakdown of pertinent information for Applicable Large Employers or “ALEs” in anticipation of the upcoming deadline for information reporting for the 2016 tax year.…
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ACA ComplianceOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)Regulations
ACA Retaliation Claims: The Final Verdict Comes From OSHA
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenUnder the Affordable Care Act, employees unable to afford the minimum essential coverage from employers are possibly eligible for Premium Tax Credits from the Health Insurance Marketplace to assist in…
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2016 Presidential ElectionACA ComplianceReporting
With Trump Election Employers Still on Hook for 2016 ACA Reporting
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWith the stunning election of Donald Trump as President comes a serious question of what happens to the Employer Mandate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare.”…
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Affordable Care ActReporting
Know Your Dates Or Face Penalties: An Infographic
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWe are nearing the end of the 2016 tax year, and with it comes the inevitable document filings come early 2017. As per the ACA, many key dates are mandated…
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Affordable Care ActRegulations
The Nondiscrimination Provision of the ACA: What To Know
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenFinal rules implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act was published on May 18, 2016, and go into effect on July 18, 2016. However, any changes to applicable health…
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ACA ComplianceForm 1094-CForm 1095-C
New Instructions For Forms 1094-C and 1095-C: An Infographic
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAs the IRS released the final forms for 2016 Form 1094-C (Transmittal of Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Information Returns) and 2016 Form 1095-C (Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageTax Filings
ACA Compliance Difficulties? The 1940’s Started it All.
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThis past tax year, many employers experienced a whole new dimension to documenting and reporting information about their employees to the government. With the Affordable Care Act mandating that full-time…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Will ColoradoCare replace the ACA?
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenNovember 8th is right around the corner. And while the onus of the day is placed on electing our next President, Colorado residents will have something else to ponder in…
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Affordable Care Act
A Quick Update On The ACA From The ABA’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plans National Institute
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOn October 6th and 7th, officials from several governmental departments—including the Treasury Department—gathered in Washington, D.C. for the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Health and Welfare Benefit Plans National Institute. Officials…
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ACA CompliancePenalties
ACA Employer Mandate Penalties Over The Next Ten Years Projects Billions
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenACA, compliance is serious business. Failure to comply with the requirements and deadlines set forth by the Affordable Care Act can lead to big penalties. These penalties are so big,…
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Affordable Care ActUninsured
Study Shows Millions Of Uninsured Eligible Americans Are Still Underutilizing The ACA
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe Kaiser Family Foundation has released another report surrounding ACA figures, and the results are astounding. In a report of “Estimates of Eligibility for ACA Coverage among the Uninsured in…
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IRSTemporary Nondiscrimination Relief
Temporary Nondiscrimination Relief Gets Another Year Extension By IRS
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAs Closed Defined Benefit Plans are still being worked out rules-wise, the IRS has provided an extension to an important aspect of qualified plans. In a notice released toward the…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageRegulations
News From Washington: ACA Has To Tighten Up Pediatric Dental Care
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWhen it comes to healthcare under the Affordable Care Act, many points of coverage can often be an afterthought. QHPs, or “qualified health plans,” are required to fulfill ten “essential…
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Affordable Care ActIndividual Shared Responsibility Payment
Individual Shared Responsibility Payment? Not For Everyone
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenFor many, the Individual Shared Responsibility payment is another irritating factor of healthcare as it can add to yet another unforeseen financial burden to the pockets of Americans. However, we…
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Form 1094-CForm 1095-CReporting
Updated Forms 1094-C And 1095-C Are Here
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe IRS has released the final updated Forms 1094-C and 1095-C,and while there aren’t many modifications, there are some changes of note. As you probably already know, Form 1094-C is…
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Employee MisclassificationRegulations
NLRB Takes A Stand In The Ongoing Misclassification Battle
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenEmployee Misclassification continues to be an issue, as more contract employment arises and information regarding health care, hours, wages, and tax liabilities are not being met by said contractors. At…
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Affordable Care ActIRS
How To Deal With An IRS Incorrect TIN Notification: The DO’s And DON’Ts
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenWhen it comes to employee TINs, some errors seem inevitable, but they don’t always mean what they seem. As an Applicable Large Employer (ALE), it is your duty in accordance…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageHealth Insurance Marketplace
Come 2017, Blue Cross Will Be Everywhere In North Carolina
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn April, UnitedHealth announced its plans to exit from multiple Marketplaces, including in North Carolina. The health care giant has complained of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) causing them huge…
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Affordable Care ActAIR
AIR Errors And Missing TINs: A Tip Sheet On Quick Fixes
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe electronic system for information reporting under the Affordable Care Act is not without its glitches. We know this by now, and in the midst of 2015 information reporting this…
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Affordable Care Act
Oklahoma Joins Forces With The DOL To End Misclassification
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe ACA Times reported at the top of September thatPennsylvania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Labor, aiming to prevent further Employee Misclassifications. The MOU would…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageIndividual Shared Responsibility Payment
New Updates Arrive Surrounding Individual Shared Responsibility
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAt the top of September, the House Ways and Means Committee reunited following summer break with new markups surrounding the individual shared responsibility payment requirement of the Affordable Care Act.…
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Health Care Coverage
New Light Is Shed On The Hardship Exemption For Health Coverage Tax Credit
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) has benefited many in affording healthcare coverage, as the ACA requires minimum essential coverage for all individuals. However, while the HCTC typically only applies…
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Affordable Care ActPenaltiesReporting
Potential ACA Penalties: An Infographic
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAre you aware of the myriad of possible unnecessary penalties that can occur with violations of the Affordable Care Act? By now you’ve been informed of various possibilities, but they…
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Affordable Care ActForm 5500
Form 5500 Gets A Makeover: Find Out What Has Changed
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenForm 5500 is getting a makeover. The forms are under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), will now require more information to complete from plan sponsors. While…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Iowa Takes A Big Step Toward Small Business Health Care For Employees
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt hasn’t been the easiest task getting small businesses on board for healthcare, as money can be an issue. The Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) allows small businesses to reimburse employees…
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoveragePolls/Surveys
Are High-Deductible Plans The Way To Go?
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt should come as no surprise that as individuals obtain healthcare under the Affordable Care Act, the greatest concern is cost. From individual plans to employer-sponsored plans, individuals want the…
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ACA ComplianceHealth Insurance Marketplace
It’s A Brand New Day For Marketplace Notices And Appeals
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOver the course of the year, many employers participated in a widespread panic over notices mailed to them from the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace. These notices summarized that an employee…
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Affordable Care ActPolls/Surveys
ACA Drops Nation’s Uninsured Rate To Record Low
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenThe number of uninsured Americans is now at record low thanks to the Affordable Care Act. In a study conducted by the National Health Interview Survey over the first three…