Are Those MLR Rebates Taxable Income or Not?

On December 7, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued final rules on the calculation and payment of medical loss ratio (MLR) rebates to health insurance policyholders. Rebates are scheduled to begin being paid during 2012. The following questions and answers provide information on the federal tax consequences to a health insurance issuer that pays a MLR rebate and an individual policyholder that receives the MLR rebate. Information is also provided on the federal tax consequences to employees when a MLR rebate stems from a group health insurance policy. These FAQs were last revised on April 2, 2012. 

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Heads up: The IRS could be poking around your COBRA procedures

Got all your COBRA procedures in line? Because it looks like the IRS could be stepping up its audit program.

The IRS recently released revised audit guidelines for its COBRA investigators. The new rules cover reg changes in such laws as HIPAA and FMLA. 

Russell Chapman, Lisa Taggart and Andrea Jackson, writing on employeebenefitscounsel.com, outline some of what the new rules cover: 

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Tip Tuesday! What’s the difference between preventive and diagnostic care?

Many health care services can be done for preventive or diagnostic reasons. Under health care reform, participants in non-grandfathered plans are eligible to receive certain preventive services, based on age, gender and other health factors, with no cost-sharing. When your doctor performs one of the preventive services specified by the health care reform law for preventive reasons, and sends the correct report, UnitedHealthcare will cover the service under your preventive care benefit if you have a non-grandfathered plan. When a service is done for diagnostic reasons, it will be covered under your non-preventive medical benefit. Always refer to your plan documents for your specific coverage.

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Taking care when the diagnosis is GERD

By Tanise Edwards, M.D.

That last piece of pizza sure hit the spot. But, now you feel that all-too-familiar bitter burn setting in. Indigestion, heartburn — by any name, it's painful.

For some people it's just an occasional bother. But, for others it's a symptom of an ongoing condition — GERD. That stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease — a condition that can damage your esophagus. You may have also heard it called "acid reflux."

And, if you've just been diagnosed with it, your doctor may have prescribed medicines to help treat it.

In addition to medicine, your doctor might also suggest other steps you can take. These changes — such as being careful about what you eat — are important, too. And, by doing all you can to control GERD, you can help prevent more serious health problems.  


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Got 5 minutes? Smart steps you can take

By Karis Gabrielson, R.N.

In the time it takes for your morning coffee to brew, you can make mini investments in your health and safety. And, who doesn't love something that can get done quickly?

5 days — 5 minutes
Below are some quick — but important — steps you can work into the busiest week.
 And, even if they take a tad longer, they're time well spent!

Make-an-appointment Monday. Take time today to schedule a health appointment you've been putting off. Maybe that's a checkup, mammogram or dental visit.

Bonus step: If it's your primary care doctor you see, be sure to ask if you're up-to-date on screenings and immunizations.  


Click Here for more steps and more bonus steps!

Tip Tuesday! 3 Easy Ways to Improve This Year’s Open Enrollment

Healthcare reform is changing the landscape of employer based health plans. As plans become increasingly consumer based, workers are left with questions that will go unanswered unless benefits communication adapts to the new paradigm. As Jennifer Benz, founder and chief strategist of Benz Communications, an HR and benefits communication strategy boutique, puts it, “Clearly, the era of ‘we’ll take care of everything for you’ is over and ‘we’ll help you find your way’ is here to stay.” Consider these tips on how to engage and educate your employees when open enrollment 2012 rolls around, and beyond.

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Top 6 ROI-producing wellness initiatives

April 5, 2012 by Christian Schappel

The most effective way to control rising healthcare costs is still to implement a wellness program. But what is it specifically your program should be doing?

Health Fairs Direct, a corporate health and wellness events provider, recently released a report on the return on investment of specific wellness initiatives. 

The report analyzed 50 studies of the wellness programs offered at different organizations including Johnson and Johnson, Citibank, DuPont, Duke University and The California Public Retirees System.

It also took into account reports from major insurance providers including Cigna, United Health Care and Aetna.

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Office Orders Companies to Cease and Desist the Unauthorized and Unlicensed Sale of Insurance in Florida

Thursday, March 22, 2012

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty issued an order to United States Contractors Trust (USCT) and Access Health Now (ACCESS) to cease and desist engaging in the unauthorized and unlicensed sale of insurance in the State of Florida. 

The Office conducted an investigation and concluded that USCT and ACCESS provided and/or offered to provide limited health insurance to Florida residents without a license. USCT is a Delaware statutory trust and ACCESS does business via its website, www.accesshealth.com.  Both represent themselves as membership associations which offer their members accident and healthcare benefits. Office records indicate USCT and ACCESS have never been authorized to sell health insurance in the State of Florida. They have 21 days to respond to the Order.  

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Tip Tuesday! Taxpayers Get More Time to Contribute to IRAs in 2012

IRS Tax Tip 2012-61, March, 29, 2012

You have two extra days this year to make contributions to your Individual Retirement Arrangements. That’s because April 15 falls on a weekend and Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, will be observed on Monday, April 16. That means the due date for filing your tax return and making contributions to your 2011 IRA is Tuesday, April 17.

Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants you to know about setting aside retirementmoney in a traditional IRA.

1. You may be able to deduct some or all of your contributions to your IRA. You may also be eligible for the Savers Credit, formally known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit.
2. Contributions can be made to your traditional IRA at any time during the year or by the due date for filing your return for that year, not including extensions. For most people, this means you must make contributions for 2011 by April 17, 2012. If you contribute between Jan. 1 and April 17, you should designate the year targeted for the contribution.

Click Here for the complete list and forms.

‘The Fool’s Errand’ – clever benefit fights burnout, boosts productivity

March 21, 2012 by Christian Schappel

Even if you offer generous vacation benefits, there’s always going to be that one person who refuses to take time off and burns out because of it. But not at this company. It’s created a clever way of preventing employees from burning the candle at both ends.

The Motley Fool, a financial services company based in Alexandria, VA, has created “The Fool’s Errand.” 

It’s a ritual where all 250 employees gather, put their names in one hat and wait to see who’s is drawn. That person is then required to take two consecutive weeks off, reported FastCompany.com.

But here’s the kicker: The two weeks must be taken immediately — within the ensuing month.  

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Fate of Health Law (possibly election) now in Supreme Court’s hands

March 30, 2012 by Christian Schappel

The healthcare reform hearings before the Supreme Court have concluded. And while it’s hard to predict which side of the fence the high court will land on, here’s what we do know.

• The court didn’t seem to want to wait. The justices’ questions suggested that they were receptive to not letting the Anti-Injunction Act stand in the way of them making a ruling this year — which would make both supporters and opponents of the law happy. The act says that consumers can’t challenge a law until they have to pay for it. In other words, the court can’t rule on the law until after its penalties for not having health insurance kick in (which is slated for 2014). But one justice noted the court can waive its right to delay cases under the act. 

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Tip Tuesday! Avoiding Fluoride and how to detox it from your body

For decades, fluoride has been considered the “knight in shining armor” in the battle against tooth decay. Children were encouraged to brush their teeth with fluoride, and it was even added to the public water supply. In 2008, an estimated 62% of the US population were receiving fluoridated water. However, over time it became apparent that fluoride is not the natural safe supplement that most people were led to believe.

Excessive fluoride has been linked to stained and mottled teeth along with a variety of chronic and acute health issues. Let’s find out more about this possibly harmful soluble salt. 

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