Government

State Government Updates

Wisconsin Imputed Income Bill 207 Signed Into Law

11/04/11 - WI Governor Walker has signed Bill 203 into law. The law eliminates inconsistencies between federal and state law regarding taxation of health plan coverage for non-tax dependent children.  Retroactive back to 01/01/2011, the new law eliminates WI state taxation liability for employees who are covering non-tax dependents (up to age 26). Click here for more information.

WI Governor Signs Bill to Eliminate State's Taxation of HSAs

01/24/11 - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has signed into law a bill eliminating income tax on health savings account (HSA) contributions.  The tax code change will take effect starting with the 2011 tax year.  Click here to read an overview of the bill.

Wisconsin Mandates Dependent Child Coverage Up To Age 27

12/15/09 - 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

05/15/09 - 2009 Wisconsin Act 11 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

Attend the IRS' 10/31/11 Webinar Regarding New W-2 Health Premium Cost Reporting

10/19/11 - The IRS is providing a free webinar on 10/31/11 at 1 PM CST to address new employer requirements for reporting health coverage costs on employees' Form W-2. Companies with 250+ employees must start reporting in the 2012 tax year; companies with <250 employees begin in 2013. Register here for the webinar.

Reform Update: Health Care Reform is Likely Headed to the Supreme Court

09/29/11 - A recent challenge from Wisconsin and 25 other states aims to force the question of whether health care reform as a whole can exist when its centerpiece-- the individual mandate-- has been declared unconstitutional. Click here to read more.

Reform Update: U.S. Appellate Court Rules Health Care Reform Unconstitutional

08/15/11 - The U.S. Appeals Court in Atlanta has ruled that the Affordable Care Act’s "individual mandate" (requiring every American citizen to purchase health insurance by 2014) is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court appears to be the next stop for health care reform-- click here for more information.

Reform Update: HHS Expands Guidance for Women's Preventive Care

08/11/11 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently adopted additional guidelines for coverage of women's preventive care services under health care reform. Click here for more information.

Medicare Part D's Annual Open Enrollment Is Approaching

07/17/11 - This year's Medicare Part D open enrollment period runs from October 15th through December 7th. Don't forget to review your current Part D plan's coverage and premiums. Click here for additional information.

Reform Update: Medical Plan Cost W-2 Reporting Q&A

07/08/11 - You may already be aware of the new employer mandate for reporting medical plan costs on employee W-2s. Click here to view our recently-released Q&A on the upcoming requirement.

Reform Update: Expanded 1099 Reporting, Health Vouchers Repealed

05/02/11 - Two provisions of The Patient Protection and Affordability Act (PPACA) were recently repealed-- the expansion of 1099 reporting for businesses and 'Free Choice' Vouchers. Click here for more information.

Reform Update: IRS Delays W-2 Reporting for Small Businesses

04/04/11 - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued new guidance which delays mandatory reporting of the cost of group health coverage on an employee’s W-2 form.  This temporary relief affects small employers with fewer than 250 W-2 employees during the 2011 tax year.  Click here for more information.

Reform Update: Market Effects of the New Medical Loss Ratio (MLR)

03/15/11 - Starting in January 2011, fully insured health plans must adhere to new federal Medical Loss Ratios (MLR). This has prompted a handful of carriers to withdraw from SE Wisconsin's health market entirely. Click here to view our recent mailer on the topic.

IRS Clarifies OTC Drug Reimbursement Procedure for HSAs and FSAs

02/04/11 - The IRS has released IRS Notice 2011-5, establishing specific steps that must be followed as of 01/01/11 for individuals to receive reimbursement for Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs from their Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account. Click here to view our recent mailer on the topic.

Evaluate 2011 Medicare Part D Plans Online

11/01/10 - The 2011 open enrollment period for Medicare Part D plans runs Nov. 15, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2010. Medicare beneficiaries can re-evaluate Part D plans online at Medicare.gov. Click here for instructions.

Reform Update: Interim Final Regs Released for Preventive Care Coverage

07/23/10 - The federal government has released interim final rules clarifying preventive care coverage requirements for health plans with renewal dates (fully insured groups) or govt. reporting years (self insured groups) beginning 09/23/10. Click here to view.

COBRA/Continuation Subsidy Eligibility Expires after 06/01/2010

06/02/10 - New eligibility for the COBRA/ State Continuation 65% premium subsidy expires for individuals losing their coverage after June 1, 2010.

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

03/23/10 - 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.