HHS Extends Deadline for Reinsurance Enrollment Counts to December 5, 2014

The Department of Health and Human Services has provided an extension of the deadline for contributing entities to submit their 2014 enrollment counts for the transitional reinsurance program contributions. The deadline has now been extended until December 5, 2014. The January 15, 2015 and November 15, 2015 payment deadlines have not been changed.

ACA FAQ Part XXII Addresses Premium Reimbursement Arrangements

The Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury released FAQ Part XXII addressing the compliance of premium reimbursement arrangements with the Affordable Care Act. Sponsors of health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs) or other arrangements that reimburse health premiums should confirm that reimbursements are not being made for individual coverage premiums.

Specifically, the guidance provided in this set of three questions states that:

  • Employers cannot offer employees cash to reimburse the purchase of an individual policy.
  • Employers cannot offer employees at risk of high claims a choice between the group health plan or cash to obtain individual insurance.
  • Employers cannot cancel group policies, setup a Code section 105 reimbursement plan using brokers to help employees select individual policies and allow employees to access premium tax credits.