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January 2024 Benefits Buzz: Group Health Plans and ACA Reporting

January 2024 Benefits Buzz: Group Health Plans & ACA Reporting

Group health plans must expand price comparison tool for 2024

Beginning this year, group health plans and health insurance issuers must expand the online price comparison tool they make available to participants, beneficiaries and enrollees so that it includes all covered items, services and drugs. This tool provides consumers with real-time estimates of their cost-sharing liability from different providers for covered items and services, so they can shop and compare prices before receiving care.

For plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023, health plans and issuers were required to make price comparison information available for 500 shoppable items, services and drugs. For plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2024, price comparison information must be available for all covered items, services and drugs.

Most employers rely on their issuers or third-party administrators to develop and maintain the price comparison tool.

Employers should confirm that their issuers and TPAs will comply with the expanded price comparison tool requirements for the 2024 plan year. Employers should also confirm that their written agreements with issuers and TPAs have been updated to include this compliance responsibility.

In addition, self-insured employers should monitor their TPAs’ compliance with this requirement. Unlike fully insured plans, this tool’s legal responsibility stays with a self-insured plan even if its service provider agrees to provide the price comparison tool on its behalf.

IRS requires electronic filing for ACA reporting in 2024

The Affordable Care Act requires applicable large employers and employers with self-insured health plans to report information on their health coverage to the IRS and covered individuals.

Before 2024, employers that filed fewer than 250 individual statements under the ACA’s reporting rules could file their returns on paper. However, beginning in 2024, paper filing will only be available to employers that file fewer than 10 information returns with the IRS for the year. Employers must aggregate most information returns, such as Forms W-2 and 1099, to determine if they meet the 10-return threshold for mandatory electronic filing.

Due to this change, almost all employers subject to ACA reporting will be required to file their returns electronically beginning in 2024. A hardship waiver may be requested from the electronic filing requirement by submitting Form 8508 to the IRS at least 45 days before the return’s due date.

Employers that have filed paper returns in the past should explore their options for electronic ACA reporting. Although employers can use the IRS’ AIR Program to file their own ACA returns electronically, many rely on outside vendors for electronic reporting due to the AIR Program’s complexity. The standard deadline for electronic ACA reporting is March 31 each year. However, since March 31, 2024, is a Sunday, electronic returns must be filed by April 1.

If you have questions about what was covered in this issue, don’t hesitate to contact TruePlan Benefit and Retirement Advisors. Our team of experts can give you the advice you need for all topics related to employee benefits.

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