As in years past, all self-funded employer health plan sponsors are required to file and pay their Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee no later than July 31, 2018. All self-funded plan sponsors are required to pay a fee based on the… more »

MedBen Vice President of Compliance Caroline Fraker was among a group of self-funded benefits professionals who recently visited the Capitol to offer their expertise to Congress in the drafting of health care legislation. In a series of meetings on… more »

It is with warm wishes – and yes, understandable sadness – that MedBen announces the retirement of Director of Compliance Annette McNair on April 30, 2018. In a way, Annette’s retirement marks the end of an era at MedBen. Annette was part of the… more »

The MedBen Compliance team has created a document outlining the final regulations relating to disability claims under the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (ERISA), which will become effective on April 1, 2018. You can download this document… more »

“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” Ben Franklin’s words ring true for those still struggling with the EEOC’s workplace wellness incentive rules. The EEOC’s May 2016 final rules outline how employers are permitted to offer wellness… more »

MedBen Vice President of Compliance & Chief Privacy Officer Caroline Fraker will serve as Board Secretary/Treasurer of the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators (SPBA) for the 2018 year. Fraker joined the board in 2015. As… more »

Earlier this year, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued another FAQ in its series addressing implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In addition to guidance on the 21st Century Cure’s Act and other items, the DOL’s FAQ Part 35 focuses on new… more »

Working on your 2018 health plan budget? If so, you’ll want to keep the following limitations and penalties in mind. The following apply as of the first day of your plan’s 2018 plan year: Out-of-Pocket Maximums $7,350 for self-only (employee-only)… more »

MedBen Vice President of Compliance & Chief Privacy Officer Caroline Fraker was among the session moderators at the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators (SPBA) Fall Conference on September 13-15, 2017. Fraker has served as a SPBA board… more »

FitBits and other wearable fitness trackers are popular incentives for worksite wellness programs, but employers need to exercise caution about how data from these devices is used, according to new rules from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission… more »

On March 24, House Speaker Paul Ryan pulled the American Health Care Act (AHCA) ‒ the vaunted replacement to Obamacare ‒ from the floor, lacking the votes to pass the bill. So what happens next? And what can employers do to let their voices… more »

Earlier this month, House Republican leaders released an outline of their plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The outline doesn't indicate how the plan would be paid for, but one frequently cited GOP funding suggestion ‒ capping the tax… more »

Over the past few months, MedBen has provided information to our clients about the ramifications and compliance requirements of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA's) Section 1557 regulations, which prohibits employers and organizations (covered entities)… more »

With all the talk these days about repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it's little wonder that its uncertain future troubles many businesses. But as health care reform is potentially "re-reformed," the MedBen Compliance team will be… more »

Since its inception, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (or ERISA), as amended, has required employers and plan administrators to provide certain information and documentation to group health plan participants and beneficiaries. These… more »

Recently, we discussed here how MedBen helps to keep self-funded, non-grandfathered plans compliant with new preventive care requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). However, it's not enough to just monitor new recommendations — we also… more »