Healthcare Legislation (92)
Monday, 02 December 2019 08:16
Individual Mandate Repealed, but Not for These States
Written by Jon Wanczyk
Most HR professionals are aware that the ACA’s individual mandate no longer exists, meaning that most Americans will no longer need to verify on their 2019 tax return that they had health insurance. Not all are aware, however, that there are five states plus the District of Columbia where your…
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Healthcare Legislation
Friday, 08 November 2019 11:22
Proposed Healthcare Bills Impacting Tax-Favored Accounts
Written by Colin Powers
On October 23, 2019, The House Ways and Means Committee voted to send two bills to the House floor for a vote that could favorably impact healthcare consumers.
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Healthcare Legislation
Friday, 16 August 2019 10:18
IRS Expands List of Preventive Services for HDHPs
Written by Jon Wanczyk
Many employers are offering High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) to their workforce these days, and they sometimes express concern that members with chronic conditions may delay much-needed routine care because of the financial burden they experience while meeting their deductible. Good news is on the horizon! On July 17, 2019,…
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Healthcare Legislation
Monday, 10 June 2019 15:26
Don’t Forget to Submit Your PCORI Fees by July 31st
Written by Amy De Lorenzo
The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee is due July 31, 2019 for employers with any type of self-funded plan and/or a Health Reimbursement Arrangement. The fee helps fund unbiased research that evaluates the clinical effectiveness of medical treatments regardless of the profit potential. This fee is also known…
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Healthcare Legislation
While the legislative session in early 2019 included proposals in civil rights, economic security, and educational programs, there was also a large focus on healthcare initiatives. Coloradans continue to express concern about the affordability and access to quality healthcare coverage, and the state legislators believe they are making important strides…
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Healthcare Legislation
Over the past year, Fall River has seen an increase in a provider practice called “surprise medical billing” or “balance-billing.” Out-of-network providers will bill the patient even though they were seen at an in-network hospital and had no choice in who they were treated by. We have been anxiously awaiting…
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Healthcare Legislation
Guest Article by Michele J. Wagner, SHRM-SCP The Colorado Legislature adjourned its 72nd session May 3, 2019, passing numerous bills affecting Colorado employers and employees. As of this writing, these bills were passed by the Legislature and sent to Governor Polis for signature. Below is a summary of the bills…
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Healthcare Legislation
Beginning in 2020, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will be required to report annual uncompensated costs and expenditure by using data submitted by hospitals. Governor Jared Polis signed the law as part of the bigger goal to reduce health care costs.
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Healthcare Legislation
Among the multitude of healthcare bills Colorado’s legislators have been debating this session is HB19-1168, the State Innovation Waiver Reinsurance Program. The proposal would authorize Colorado to request federal approval to implement a state-run reinsurance program aimed at reducing individual premium costs in the healthcare marketplace.
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Healthcare Legislation
Wednesday, 20 March 2019 06:40
House Democrats Propose New National Health Insurance Program
Written by Juliet Fitzgibbons
Medicare for All is a universal health care model (also known as single-payer plan) which has been developed and promoted in the past few years by Senator Bernie Sanders. This latest version is even broader, with the intent being to help more Americans access health care, especially those that are…
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Healthcare Legislation
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Friday, 08 February 2019 14:10
Trump Proposes a Big Change to Prescription Rebates
Written by Adam Wright
In late January, the Trump Administration proposed a substantial change to the way prescription drug rebates operate under Medicare Part D and Medicaid. While proponents argue that the change would help to lower consumers’ out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions, insurers warn that it would do the very opposite.
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Healthcare Legislation
Tuesday, 18 December 2018 11:52
The Affordable Care Act Faces yet Another Legal Obstacle
Written by Adam Wright
A federal judge in Texas released his long-awaited decision last Friday in the lawsuit brought by a coalition of Republican State Attorneys General and Governors challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. We first discussed the lawsuit here in September when the judge was hearing arguments.
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Healthcare Legislation
Friday, 14 December 2018 11:58
Retirement Reform Could Hitch a Ride on the Federal Spending Bill
Written by Adam Wright
In federal policy news, the midterm elections are (nearly) over, with a new Democrat-led US House of Representatives and a Republican-led Senate set to be seated for the first time on January 3. North Carolina’s 9th District US Representative will be noticeably absent from the new Congress as investigations continue…
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Healthcare Legislation
Friday, 02 November 2018 08:31
Proposed HRA Regulations Allow for More Flexibility
Written by Amy De Lorenzo
A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is an employer-established account that allows them to reimburse a portion of the member’s out-of-pocket costs, usually while meeting the deductible on their health plan. Under the current regulations established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, HRAs are only allowed in conjunction with…
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Healthcare Legislation