In a report dated January 17, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) offered estimates on what would happen should the ACA be repealed. These figures range from premium prices to statistics …
Health Care Coverage
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Health Care CoveragePharmaceutical
President Trump Has Some Things To Say About The Pharmaceutical Industry
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn January, the pharmaceutical industry found itself in a mini-crisis following a press conference at the White House in mid-January. Just a few days following his Inauguration, Trump accused pharma …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Trump Supporters And Healthcare: What Do They Want?
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn mid-January, Republicans made the official first step in repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by voting 227-198 in permitting the GOP to bring their bill for repeal of the …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageHealth Insurance Marketplace
The Last Day For ACA Enrollment Almost Went Unmarketed
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenHealthcare.gov has been hard at work informing consumers of a continuous countdown to the end of open enrollment, advising to sign up for 2017 Marketplace coverage ASAP. However, at the …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Hawaii Finds A Healthcare System Even Better Than The ACA
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAs of this month, Hawaii’s small business market will provide healthcare to its workers that competes with (and even beats) what the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has provided for Americans. …
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ACA ComplianceAffordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Trump’s Executive Order on the ACA and Future Compliance Obligations
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOn his first day in office, Trump signed one of his first executive orders, entitled “Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Pending Repeal.” The …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoverageRegulations
The U.S. Gig Economy Will Suffer With An ACA Repeal
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIndependent contractors, freelancers, consultants. These workers have slowly risen up the ranks as backbones of many companies, yet when it comes to traditional labor rights, they’ve consistently come up short. …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
An ACA Repeal Could Cost Hospitals Billions In Losses
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenInauguration Day is inching closer and closer, and so are the policies that President-Elect Trump has planned once he assumes the seat of President this year. A repeal of the …
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ACA ComplianceHealth Care Coverage
Understanding ACA Compliance And Utilizing Staffing Firms
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenBy now it should come as no surprise that maintaining ACA compliance is a confusing and at times difficult task. We know the basics: Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) with 50 …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Florida Governor Wants An ACA Repeal “As Quickly As Can Get It Done”
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOn December 19th, 2016, Florida Governor Rick Scott had a meeting with nominated Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Tom Price. While Scott and Price barely met …
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Affordable Care ActApplicable Large Employer (ALE)Health Care Coverage
Terms To Know About Offers Of Health Coverage: An Infographic
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenMany 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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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 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 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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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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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 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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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 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 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 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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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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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 …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care CoveragePolitical PartiesPolls/Surveys
Americans on the ACA this Election Season
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenAs November looms overhead with the 2016 Presidential election, new issues continue to arise—namely, the afterthought of the importance of health care for Americans. While Americans rank health care …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Residents Of Florida And Texas Are Behind The Expansion Of Medicaid
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn a move to provide health care for the underprivileged, the Affordable Care Act offered a Medicaid expansion—one that, to date, 19 states have still not accepted. However, a new …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Employers Weigh In On Actions In The Event Of An ACA Repeal
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIt should come as no surprise that the Affordable Care Act has produced a myriad of opinions from consumers to their employers to those in government. But what would happen …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
The Affordable Care Act Shows Big Wins For Kids
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenOf all the good theAffordable Care Act has done in the way of widespread health care, a recent report shows that our children have benefitted more than most. United Press …
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Health Care CoverageRegulations
The IRS Reveals Projected Inflation Figures For 2017
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenIn the recently released Rev. Proc. 2016-28, the IRS as identified inflation adjustments to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for the upcoming 2017 calendar year. Those affected figures include primarily deductions …
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Affordable Care ActHealth Care Coverage
Cutting Hours To Avoid Health Care Coverage Brings Dave & Busters Under Legal Scrutiny
by Robert Sheenby Robert SheenA class-action lawsuit has been filed outside of federal courts in New York against restaurant and gaming chain Dave & Busters. The reason? Cutting employees’ hours to duck mandatory health …