REGULATIONS ISSUED FOR WELLNESS PROGRAMS WITH INCENTIVES

The Internal Revenue Service, Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have released final regulations regarding incentives for nondiscriminatory wellness programs in group health plans.  These final regulations increase the maximum permissible reward under a health-contingent wellness program offered in connection with a group health plan (and any related health insurance coverage) from 20% to 30% of the cost of coverage. 

REVISED FOR 720 RELEASED

The Internal Revenue Service has released a revised Form 720 that reflects the need for insurers and self-funded plan sponsors to pay the new patient-centered outcomes research fee.  The Affordable Care Act imposes fees on health insurance policies and plan sponsors of self-funded health plans to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

U. S. SUPREME COURT DECLINES TO REVIEW ADA CASE ON REASSIGNMENT

The United States Supreme Court has declined to review a decision by the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals regarding an employee with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and whether reassignment to an open position is a reasonable accommodation if there are better candidates.  This leaves a split in the Circuit Courts, which leaves employers in a difficult situation.

EEOC REVISES PUBLICATIONS ABOUT SPECIFIC DISABILITIES

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has updated a series of question-and-answer documents addressing particular disabilities in the workplace.  These documents explain how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to job applicants and employees who have or had cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities.

DOL RELEASES MODEL NOTICES REGARDING HEALTH MARKETPLACES

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued guidance on the Affordable Care Act Exchange Notifications.  All employers are required to provide all of their employees copies of a notice beginning October 1, 2013.

2014 LIMITS FOR HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND OOP LIMITS UNDER ACA

The IRS has announced inflation adjustments for 2014 related to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).