The Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to impact employer-sponsored health plans through annual updates to cost-sharing limits, reporting requirements, affordability thresholds and preventive care guidelines. Use this checklist to review key ACA requirements for the 2027 plan year and update plan documents, employee communications and compliance procedures as needed. Plan Design ☐ Review Out-of-Pocket Limits […]
Category: Compliance
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Fall 2026 Compliance Deadlines to Know
Several important employee benefits and payroll compliance deadlines are approaching this fall. Employers should review the requirements now and build these dates into their open enrollment, reporting and payroll calendars. Oct. 2: ICHRA and QSEHRA Notices Employers offering an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA)—also referred to here as a CHOICE Arrangement—or a Qualified Small […]
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Compliance Tracker July 2026
Form 5500 Filing Deadline (Calendar-year Plans Only) Employers with employee benefit plans covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) that operate on a calendar year must file Form 5500 for the 2025 plan year by July 31, 2026, unless an extension is requested or a reporting exemption applies. The regular deadline for filing […]
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HSA and HDHP Limits for 2027
On May 29, 2026, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2026-24, which sets the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2027. The updated limits address: Each of these limits differs depending on whether the coverage is for an individual or a family under an HDHP.
On May 4, 2026, the IRS announced updated penalty amounts for 2027 under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility, or “pay-or-play,” rules. For the 2027 calendar year, the $2,000 penalty has been adjusted to $3,780, and the $3,000 penalty has increased to $5,670. This marks a rise from 2026 levels of $3,340 and […]
High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) remain a cornerstone of modern benefits strategy. When executed correctly, they offer a powerful “triple tax advantage” for employees and lower premiums for employers. However, the federal rules governing these accounts are strict. As we move into the 2026 plan year—and navigate new permanent […]
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Filing Form 5500
If your company provides an employee benefit plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), you are likely obligated to file Form 5500. This annual report discloses key details about your organization’s benefit offerings, such as welfare benefit plans (including medical, dental, life, and disability coverage), retirement plans, fully insured plans, and self-funded […]
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IRS Increases PCORI Fee Rate
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2025-61, announcing a significant increase to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee amount. Employers with self-insured health plans and health insurance issuers must take note of the new rate and upcoming compliance deadlines. What is the New PCORI Fee Amount? The PCORI fee is increasing to […]
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule that requires covered entities—including many health plans—to update their Notice of Privacy Practices (Privacy Notice). This change enhances privacy protections for highly sensitive Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment records. Why the Update is Necessary The HIPAA Privacy Rule already mandates that […]
Employers with insured health plans may have received a Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rebate from their health insurance carrier this year. Rebates were required for plans not meeting the 2024 MLR standards and had to be issued by September 30, 2025, either as premium credits or lump-sum payments. If any part of the rebate qualifies […]
