SSG Insights | Week of December 3rd, 2021
Departments Issue Interim Final Rule on Group Health Plan Cost and Pricing Disclosure
On November 17, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Health and Human Services (HHS) (collectively, the “Departments”), with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), issued interim final regulations (IFR) to provide guidance regarding health care transparency provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). The IFR will apply to group health plans effective December 27, 2021. However, the Departments have announced a non-enforcement policy for the first year of applicability.
Upcoming ACA Reporting Deadlines
ACA reporting under Section 6055 and Section 6056 for the 2021 calendar year is due in early 2022. This ACA Bulletin outlines the deadlines for ACA reporting for the 2021 calendar year.
Caffeine: Do You Need to Kick Your Coffee Habit?
A recent Harvard School of Public Health report concluded that drinking coffee in moderation “can be a part of a healthy lifestyle.” Many people start their morning or workday with a cup of coffee. Hot or cold, homebrew or picked up at the local coffee shop – coffee drinkers usually have a preferred formula and favored accouterments. And all is fair in love and espresso until your one- or two-cup-a-day habit just isn’t cutting it anymore. You need more coffee to get your caffeine buzz. Your caffeine tolerance has increased. Now, you need more of your precious brew to produce the same energizing effects. How does caffeine work and what can you do to reset your tolerance?
Proposed Rule Would Extend ACA Reporting Furnishing Deadlines
On Nov. 22, 2021, the IRS released a proposed rule that would extend the annual furnishing deadlines for Sections 6055 and 6056 reporting under the ACA. Until this rule is finalized, the general furnishing deadline (Jan. 31) continues to apply. This ACA Compliance Advisor provides an overview of the proposed rule.
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