On September 27, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed regulations on the application of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility provisions to a new type of Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) available starting in 2020.  In June 2019, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Treasury Department …

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Local firm joins Alera Group through GLB Insurance Alera Group, an independent national insurance brokerage and wealth management firm, today announced that it has acquired Makro Enterprises (Makro), effective September 1, 2019. Makro will join Alera Group through local firm GLB Insurance. Makro offers employee benefits and insurance services for clients throughout Las Vegas and …

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On August 26, 2019, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury released an FAQ that provides guidance to employers, plan sponsors and health insurance issuers regarding a recent HHS regulation that could be read to require group health plans to treat prescription drug manufacturers’ coupons as employee cost sharing for …

Read moreDepartments Adopt Non-Enforcement Policy on Drug Manufacturer Coupons

Alera Group, an independent national insurance brokerage and wealth management firm, today announced its acquisition of Benefit Commerce Group, an award-winning, results-driven employee benefits consulting firm located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Benefit Commerce Group has had strong growth over the past 10 years as a progressive employee benefits consulting firm. The company is a four-time honoree …

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Alera Group, a leading national insurance firm, today announced its acquisition of Comprehensive Benefit Administrators (CBA), effective August 1, 2019. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. CBA, located in Norwell, Massachusetts, creates benefits programs that are focused on exceeding client expectations while minimizing costs. Their expertise in brokerage services, claims administration and enrollment allows …

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Rev. Proc. 2019-29, which contains the inflation adjusted amounts for 2020 used to determine whether employer-sponsored coverage is “affordable” for purposes of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility provisions and premium tax credit program. As shown in the table below, for plan years beginning in 2020, …

Read moreIRS Issues Affordability Percentage Adjustment for 2020

IRS Expands HSA Preventive Care Safe Harbor to Include Chronic Conditions On July 17, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2019-45, which expands the definition of preventive care benefits that can be provided by a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to include certain chronic conditions.  The guidance in the Notice may be relied …

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Alera Group, a leading national insurance firm, today announced  its acquisition of Landmark Benefits, Inc. (Landmark), effective July 1, 2019. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Landmark, located in Windham, New Hampshire, is an employee benefits broker providing comprehensive insurance benefits, human resource consulting, compliance, and wellness to clients throughout the United States. Landmark’s …

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Deerfield, IL — Alera Group, a leading national insurance firm, today announced its acquisition of Austin & Co., Inc. (Austin & Co.), effective July 1, 2019. The firm expands Alera Group’s employee benefits and property & casualty expertise. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Austin & Co., located in Albany, New York, has served clients …

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President Trump Issues Executive Order Encouraging Transparency in Pricing and Expanding Consumer-Directed Arrangements On June 24, 2019, President Trump issued an Executive Order intending to develop price and quality transparency initiatives to ensure that healthcare patients can make well-informed decisions about their care. This is part of the consumer-driven healthcare initiative, which has been a …

Read morePresident Trump Issues Executive Order Encouraging Transparency in Pricing and Expanding Consumer-Directed Arrangements