Government

State Government Updates

Wisconsin Mandates Dependent Child Coverage Up To Age 27

Starting on 01/01/2010 for groups that renew a fully-insured health, dental, or vision plan, insurers are required to allow coverage of unmarried dependent children under a parent's policy until age 27. Click here for more information.

Second Election Opportunity for Wisconsin State Continuation

2009 Wisconsin Act 11, signed into law on 05/14/09, extends a second WI State Continuation election opportunity for health plan participants who were either a) involuntarily terminated after September 1, 2008, but did not sign up at the time, or b) elected State Continuation and later canceled coverage. Read the OCI's press release or log in to our Employer Compliance Kit to download the new employer forms.

Federal Government Updates

IRS Announces HSA Contribution & Coverage Limits for 2011

05/26/10 - Tax year HSA contributions and minimum coverage limits for qualified plans will remain unchanged for 2011. Click here to view IRS Publication 2010-22.

National Health Care Reform Signed

President Obama has signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a broad-based health care and insurance reform initiative. Many of the insurance reforms in the law take effect within 6 months of signing, while the new programs-- including a health insurance "exchange" for individuals/small business-- won't materialize until 2014. Read a summary for Employers of the upcoming changes: How the Health Care Reform Legislation Will Impact Your Health Plan.

COBRA/ State Continuation Subsidy Extended Through 03/31/10

President Obama has signed legislation that extends the COBRA/ State Continuation premium subsidy eligibility for one additional month, through 03/31/10.   

The eligibility extension applies to individuals involuntarily terminated or laid off through 03/31/10.  The maximum benefit duration period to receive subsidized COBRA/ State Continuation remains at 15 months and has not changed. This extension is largely viewed as a ‘stop gap’ measure to temporarily continue new eligibility for the subsidy while the Senate considers a more long-term measure.

COBRA/ State Continuation Subsidy Extended Through 02/28/10

On 12/19/09 Pres. Obama signed an extension of the federal govt.'s 65% COBRA/ State Continuation premium subsidy.  The new law extends the ARRA subsidy duration from 9 months to 15 months, and also extends the subsidy's loss of coverage deadline for eligibility from 12/31/09 to 02/28/10. Click here to read the DOL press release.

IRS Announces 2010 HSA Adjustments

The IRS has released Revenue Procedure 2009-29 announcing indexed HDHP and HSA amounts for 2010. The maximum HSA contribution will be $3,050 (single)/ $6,150 (family). The minimum deductible for qualifying HDHPs will be $1,200 (single)/ $2,400 (family). The max out-of-pocket for qualifying HDHPs will be $5,950 (single)/ $11,900 (family).