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Yes, Some Small Employers Must File 5500 and Pay PCORI

7/13/2022

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It’s no wonder small businesses are confused when they are told they need to file Form 5500 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and pay PCORI fees. For instance, if you look up 5500 filing requirements on the Internet, most sites say something like, “Form 5500 is required on behalf of any welfare benefit plan that has 100 or more participants as of the beginning of the plan year or is funded through a trust, regardless of participant count.”

Clear as mud to the average employer, right? WRONG! Let’s break it down.

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The True Value of Limited Benefit Minimum Essential Coverage

6/6/2022

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A minimum essential coverage (MEC) plan that doesn’t provide minimum value can still be an asset to large employers providing health coverage.
 
First, it helps to understand the definitions of minimum value and minimum essential coverage.

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Early Retirees' Path to Medicare

2/8/2022

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Dreaming of retiring early? You’re not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many Americans to reevaluate their work-life balance.

Market research company Hearts and Wallets reports that about one in four Americans plan to retire before age 65 – a much higher percentage than in years past.
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If you’re one of the “one in four” and you think you’ve saved enough to retire early and cover your living expenses, there’s one more expense you should consider – health insurance. 

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Alternatives to ACA Plans

11/3/2021

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The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is a health care reform law that was enacted in March 2010. Some of the key goals of the ACA were to:
 
  • Extend health coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.
  • Expand Medicaid eligibility
  • Create a Health Insurance Marketplace for individual health insurance, prevent insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions, and requiring plans to cover a list of essential health benefits.
  • Allow lower-income families to qualify for subsidies for coverage purchased through the Marketplace.
 
However, even though there are some “pros” to the Affordable Care Act, there are just as many “cons” for an ACA plan, many of which led to significantly higher health insurance premiums for individual and small employer health insurance.

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Open Enrollment for 2022 – What You Need to Know

10/6/2021

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“Open Enrollment is coming!” – A phrase you’ve most likely heard at least a few times recently.
 
The federal Open Enrollment Period (OEP) happens once a year for individual health plans in the ACA marketplace. For most states, you have from Nov. 1, 2021, to Jan. 15, 2022, to choose a health plan for 2022 and get signed up. In order to get coverage starting Jan. 1, 2022, you would need to be enrolled by Dec. 15, 2021.

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Applicable Large Employers – ACA Penalties Still Enforced for Non-Compliance

4/21/2021

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Despite the numerous changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), applicable large employers (ALE) must still provide group health benefits to their employees. These benefits must meet at least the minimum standard as set by the federal government or the employer will be required to pay a penalty.

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Is Affordable Health Insurance an Oxymoron?

2/24/2021

3 Comments

 
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The United States’ high-priced health care system, which includes health care and insurance, affects everyone, sick or well. It has reduced individual spending power for several decades. Salaries for American workers have risen, but net pay has stayed the same because of increasing charges for health insurance.
 
So, what exactly makes the health care system in the U.S. so expensive? It depends on who you are asking.

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The Attraction of Level-Funded Health Plans

1/21/2021

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The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has had a profound impact on small group health insurance. Rates have increased significantly as a result of the ACA. These rate increases have been particularly difficult for small groups.

This is where a level-funded health plan could be a good fit for your small business.

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Short-Term Medical Plans — Are They Right for You?

10/1/2020

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Short-term medical (STM) plans are extremely beneficial when used as they were intended – for short periods of time. And now, with the coronavirus, these plans are more important than ever.

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ACA Reform and its Impact on Individuals and Employers – The Unintended Consequences

6/29/2020

1 Comment

 
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The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed with the intent of making health insurance affordable and easily attainable for anyone, whether as an individual or for an employer providing group benefits.

To make insurance more attainable, the law forced insurance companies to accept all individuals and all small employers (less than 50 employees) without allowing for medical underwriting.

In the individual market, this “guaranteed issue” of coverage means all individuals of the same age and gender are charged the same premium regardless of any underlying health conditions they might have. Plus, everyone would have immediate coverage for any pre-existing conditions they might have, even if they have never had health coverage before. While the goal of getting people access to health care is laudable, this insurance mandate had a very predictable outcome – it caused an explosion in the cost of individual health insurance.

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    Allied National is a 90 Degree Benefits Company, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Founded in 1970, Allied National is one of the nation's oldest and most experienced third-party administrators. We're the small group benefit experts working to provide unique and affordable group health benefits to small business employers.


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  • Home
  • Employers
    • Self-Service Login
    • Prescription Benefits
    • Lab Program
    • Abenity Discounts
    • Employer Resources >
      • Freedom Hybrid - Employer Resources
      • HSA Freedom Hybrid - Employer Resources
      • Freedom Traditional - Employer Resources
      • Cost Saver Plan - Employer Resources
      • PPO - Employer Resources
      • Freedom Essentials - Employer Resources
      • MEC - Employer Resources
      • Apex MEC - Employer Resources
      • Community Health Plan - Employer Resources
      • Prime-Fundamental Care - Employer Resources
      • Vault PPO - Employer Resources
      • Vault RBP - Employer Resources
    • EBA Newsletter
  • Members
    • Member Resources
    • HealthCare Assistant
    • HealthChoices
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      • Level Funding >
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          • DPC Directory
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      • Pivot Health Individual Plans >
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