As the Fed continues to do battle with inflation, and with fears of a recession not quite going away, companies have been keeping a close eye on the costs of their health insurance and pharmacy coverage. If you’re facing higher costs for health care benefits this year, it probably doesn’t come as a big surprise. […]
Cost containment: An important health care benefits objective for businesses Read More »
Is your business ready to take its healthcare benefits to the next level? One way to do so is to supplement group health coverage with an Excepted Benefit Health Reimbursement Arrangement (EBHRA). Here are some pertinent details. Rules to follow. Under a traditional HRA, the employer owns and funds the tax-advantaged account up to any
Supplementing your company’s health care plan with an EBHRA Read More »
Wellness programs have found a place in many companies’ health care benefits packages, but it hasn’t been easy. Because these programs take many different shapes and sizes, they can be challenging to design, implement and maintain. There’s also the not-so-small matter of compliance: The federal government regulates wellness programs in various ways, including through the
Key aspects of a successful wellness program Read More »
As you’re aware, certain employers are required to report information related to their employees’ health coverage. Does your business have to comply, and if so, what must be done? Basic rules. Certain employers with 50 or more full-time employees (called “applicable large employers” or ALEs) must use Forms 1094-C and 1095-C to report the information
Is your business required to report employee health coverage? Read More »
Ever since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, business owners have had to keep a close eye on how many employees they’ve had on the payroll. This is because a company with 50 or more full-time employees or full-time equivalents on average during the previous year is considered an applicable large employer (ALE)
2022 deadlines for reporting health care coverage information Read More »
Do you have a tax-saving flexible spending account (FSA) with your employer to help pay for health or dependent care expenses? As the end of 2021 nears, there are some rules and reminders to keep in mind. An account for health expenses. A pre-tax contribution of $2,750 to a health FSA is permitted in 2021.
Remember to use up your flexible spending account money Read More »
When choosing health care benefits, many businesses opt for a self-insured (self-funded) plan rather than a fully insured one. Why? Among various reasons, self-insured plans tend to offer greater flexibility and potentially lower fixed costs. When implementing a self-insured plan, stop-loss insurance is typically recommended. Although buying such a policy isn’t required, many small to
What business owners should know about stop-loss insurance Read More »
Given the escalating cost of health care, there may be a more cost-effective way to pay for it. For eligible individuals, a Health Savings Account (HSA) offers a tax-favorable way to set aside funds (or have an employer do so) to meet future medical needs. Here are the main tax benefits: Contributions made to an
Is a Health Savings Account right for you? Read More »
The IRS recently released guidance providing the 2022 inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Fundamentals of HSAs An HSA is a trust created or organized exclusively for the purpose of paying the “qualified medical expenses” of an “account beneficiary.” An HSA can only be established for the benefit of an “eligible individual” who is
The IRS has announced 2022 amounts for Health Savings Accounts Read More »
You may be able to deduct some of your medical expenses, including prescription drugs, on your federal tax return. However, the rules make it hard for many people to qualify. But with proper planning, you may be able to time discretionary medical expenses to your advantage for tax purposes. Itemizers must meet a threshold. For
Can you qualify for a medical expense tax deduction? Read More »
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