Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byAshanti Caperton Modified over 10 years ago
1
kaufCAN.com ACA Update Focused on the Employer Mandate Final Regulations Shenandoah University Business Symposium March 25, 2014 John M. Peterson Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. jmpeterson@kaufcan.com (757) 624-3003
2
kaufCAN.com 2 Disclosures The following disclosure is required pursuant to IRS Circular 230 and applicable state and local tax provisions, the regulations that govern the practice of tax advisors. Any advice concerning Federal, state and local tax issues contained in this written communication (and any attachments) has not been written nor is it intended by the author or Kaufman & Canoles, PC to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding federal, state or local tax penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service or applicable state or local tax provisions, or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. If a formal covered opinion intended to provide such protection is desired, please contact us to discuss the issues and costs involved in preparation of such a covered opinion. Kaufman & Canoles is providing general education and not specific legal advice at this presentation.
3
kaufCAN.com 3 Topics PPACA Overview & Timeline Health Insurance Reforms Individual Mandate Health Insurance Marketplace & Subsidies Large Employer Mandate
4
kaufCAN.com 4 PPACA Overview & Timeline
5
kaufCAN.com 5 The 4 Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act Principles The 4 Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act Principles 1.Health insurance reform (no medical rating) 2.Begets requirement that everyone have coverage or purchase insurance (individual mandate) 3.But health insurance is expensive so provide Federal financial assistance towards the cost (Marketplace subsidies) 4.But to control government subsidies have to require that large employers continue to subsidize their employees health insurance (employer mandate)
6
kaufCAN.com 6 ACA Key Events- Past March 23, 2010- PPACA enacted June 28, 2012- Supreme Court validates November 6, 2012- election, no change December 28, 2012- employer mandate proposed Regs January 1, 2013-.9% & 3.8% pay for taxes began March 2013- Exchange became Marketplace
7
kaufCAN.com 7 ACA Key Events- Past July 1, 2013- original deadline to start tracking employee hours (large vs. small, look-back measurement period) July 9, 2013- employer mandate delayed until 2015 October 1, 2013- distribution of Marketplace notice, first Marketplace open enrollment period began (HealthCare.gov website rough opening)
8
kaufCAN.com 8 ACA Key Events- Past January 1, 2014 –Health insurance reforms began (or at 2014 insurance renewal) –Health insurance Marketplace coverage and subsidies began (if purchased by 12/23/13) –Individual mandate & penalties began (subject to exceptions, exemptions)
9
kaufCAN.com 9 ACA Key Events- Recent/Soon February 10, 2014- IRS issued final regulations on the employer mandate (4980H) –New 1 year delay for 50-99 employees –Other transitional relief & clarifications March 6, 2014- IRS issued final regulations on the large employer information reporting requirements and processes associated with determining liability for the employer mandate March 31, 2014- Initial Marketplace open enrollment period ends (applications made by this date avoid individual mandate penalty for 2014)
10
kaufCAN.com 10 ACA Key Events- Future July 1, 2014- new deadline to start tracking employee hours (large vs. small, look-back measurement period) November 15, 2014 - February 15, 2015- Marketplace open enrollment period for 2015 coverage Maybe in 2014? – IRS issues Regulations preventing discrimination in how employer provided group health insurance is offered/utilized
11
kaufCAN.com 11 ACA Key Events- Future January 1, 2015 (or first day of 2015 health plan year)- large (>99) employer mandate & penalties begin January 1, 2016 (or first day of 2016 health plan year)- large (50-99) employer mandate & penalties begin January 31, 2016- Large (>49) employers file 2015 forms (1094-C full time count and 1095-C offer of minimum essential coverage by employee/month) ?? Regulations on auto-enrollment >200 employees 2018- 40% Cadillac coverage excise tax begins
12
kaufCAN.com 12 Health Insurance Reforms
13
kaufCAN.com 13 4 Health Insurance Markets Individual (on and off exchange/Marketplace) Small Group (<50 in 2014 and 2015, <100 in 2016, possibly larger in 2017 and future) Large Group Self-funded/self-insured (Grandfathered plans enjoy some exceptions)
14
kaufCAN.com 14 Major Insurance Reforms No health based ratings/underwriting (community rating) Guaranteed issue & renewability No annual dollar limits on essential health benefits No lifetime dollar limits on essential health benefits
15
kaufCAN.com 15 Major Reforms/Mandates No-cost preventive care (no co-pays or deductibles) –Includes contraception for women Cover dependent children through month turn 26 (includes step and foster children)
16
kaufCAN.com 16 Major Reforms/Mandates Maximum 90 day waiting period from date of eligibility –Eligibility based on lapse of time = 90 days from hire –Eligibility based on orientation period not > 1 month + 90 days –Eligibility based on average hours per period can measure for 1 year then offer within 1 month –Eligibility based on cumulative hours (1,200 max)
17
kaufCAN.com 17 Major Reforms/Mandates Deliver new Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) Expanded claims and appeals procedures No rescission of coverage (except fraud or misrepresentation) Non-discrimination requirements (when guidance issued)
18
kaufCAN.com 18 Individual and Small Group Reforms Premiums established by geographic rating area (not health of individual or group) Premium age banding at maximum 3 to 1 disparity (age 64 vs. age 21) No sex based ratings
19
kaufCAN.com Age Banding 0-200.635 211.000 251.004 301.135 351.222 401.278 451.444 461.500 481.635 501.786 532.040 552.230 602.714 653.000
20
kaufCAN.com Individual and Small Groups Must Cover 10 Essential Health Benefits Ambulatory patient services Emergency services Hospitalization Maternity and newborn care Mental health & substance abuse Prescription drugs Rehabilitative & habilitative services Laboratory services Preventive & wellness services & chronic disease management Pediatric care, including dental & vision
21
kaufCAN.com 21 Comments on EHB Notable medical services not EHB: –Cosmetic surgery –Adult dental and eye exams –Acupuncture –Routine foot care –Infertility –Weight loss programs & surgery –Long term care –Private nursing
22
kaufCAN.com 22 Comments on EHB Level of EHB benefits set by benchmark plan (example types of prescriptions) Virginia benchmark plan requires coverage for: –Adult eye exams –Routine foot care –Infertility
23
kaufCAN.com 23 Reform Applicability ReformIndividualSmall GroupLarge GroupSelf-Insured Community rating & 3:1 age band Yes No Cover 10 EHBsYes No No pre-existing exclYes 90 day waitNoYes No annual or lifetime limits Yes Kids to 26Yes No cost preventiveYes Non-discriminationN/AComing Already exists
24
kaufCAN.com 24 No Individual Policy Delay in Virginia Responding to angst over cancellation of non-ACA compliant individual policies a 1 year (now 3 year) grandfathering is allowed if authorized at state level and carriers agree Virginia Board of Insurance has rejected and insurance carriers are not willing to extend non-compliant policies- no delay in Virginia
25
kaufCAN.com 25 Health Reforms Enforcement- The Forgotten $100/day Penalty Section 4980D excise/penalty tax –$100/day per affected employee ($36,500/year) –Applies to all size employers –Not delayed, already in effect in 2014 –Self report on IRS form 8928 Self-correct within 30 days = no penalty Reasonable cause cap at 10% of health costs
26
kaufCAN.com 26 Health Reforms Enforcement- The Forgotten $100/day Penalty Most reforms baked into health insurance contract, little employer concern Employer concerns: –Failure to distribute SBC –Exceeding maximum 90 day wait –Deny free contraception (litigation)
27
kaufCAN.com 27 Individual Mandate
28
kaufCAN.com 28 Individual Mandate 2014 Beginning with the month of January, 2014, everyone must have minimum essential coverage (MEC) or be penalized for each full month without coverage (unless exception/exemption applies) Includes you, your spouse (if filing jointly) and your dependents (all individuals included on the tax return) Coverage can be purchased from your or your spouses employer (if offered), on the individual market, from the Marketplace or provided by Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, CHIP or other government programs
29
kaufCAN.com 29 Individual Mandate Penalty = greater of flat dollar amount per person or specified percentage of household income in excess of income tax filing threshold: –2014 $95 or 1% of excess –2015 $325 or 2% of excess –2016 $695 or 2.5% of excess Household income is Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) with the following add backs: –Foreign income excluded from AGI –Tax exempt or excluded interest –Any Social Security benefits not already included in AGI
30
kaufCAN.com 30 Individual Mandate Income tax filing thresholds (2013) –Single $10,000 –Married filing joint $20,000 Dependent income included if dependent required to file an income tax return (parent can elect to include) Dollar penalty for dependents under 18 is 50% of regular amount Maximum dollar penalty for any household is 3 times the dollar amount
31
kaufCAN.com 31 Individual Mandate 2014 Example: –5 person household (2 parents, adult child >17 and 2 children <18), none insured –Household income $50,000, assume filing threshold $20,000 –Dollar penalty before limitation = $380 (3 adults and 2 children @ 50% = 4 x $95) –Capped dollar penalty $285 ($95 x 3) –% penalty $300 ($50,000 - $20,000 x 1%) –Pro-rate $300 penalty for # of months without coverage
32
kaufCAN.com 32 Individual Mandate 2016 Example (same facts): –5 person household (2 parents, adult child >17 and 2 children <18), none insured –Household income $50,000, assume filing threshold still $20,000 –Dollar penalty before limitation = $2,780 (3 adults and 2 children @ 50% = 4 x $695) –Capped dollar penalty $2,085 ($695 x 3) –% penalty $750 ($50,000 - $20,000 x 2.5%) –Pro-rate $2,085 penalty for # of months without coverage
33
kaufCAN.com 33 Individual Mandate Exceptions/exemptions from individual penalty: –Income below the tax filing threshold –Premiums for lowest cost plan available from employer or marketplace (Bronze) exceeds 8% of household adjusted gross income (net of marketplace subsidies) –Gap in coverage for less than 3 calendar months –Low income individuals in states not expanding Medicaid –Apply by 3/31/14 even if coverage not effective until 5/1/14 (4 month transition)
34
kaufCAN.com 34 Individual Mandate Hardship exemptions (apply through HHS/Marketplace) –Eviction & homelessness –Death of close family member –Casualty to residence –Bankruptcy –Recent unpaid medical expenses Estimated 24 million excepted/exempt IRS can charge interest on unpaid penalty tax but prevented from collecting via tax liens and levies –Essentially can only collect from refunds
35
kaufCAN.com 35 Health Insurance Marketplace
36
kaufCAN.com 36 Health Insurance Marketplace What it is: a government operated online storefront in each state for residents to shop for and purchase individual health insurance Had been called the exchange until spring 2013 Marketplace offers private insurer Qualified Health Plans (QHP), no government insurance involved 14 states operating their own, 36 states operated my federal government (Federally Facilitated Marketplace)
37
kaufCAN.com 37 Health Insurance Marketplace All individuals lawfully present in the US and not incarcerated can shop for and purchase health insurance through the new health insurance Marketplace –Healthcare.gov –Everyone can comparison shop Only factors determining Marketplace rates are geographic location (rating area), age and smoker status –Virginia divided into 12 rating areas (see next slide) –3 to 1 maximum age banding between ages 21 and 64 –No rate difference due to sex or medical condition –Smokers (4 or more per week) = up to 50% rate hike
38
kaufCAN.com 38 Health Insurance Marketplace All policies graded based on actuarial value –Measure of relative generosity –What % of standard medical costs will policy cover 4 metal tier insurance options –Bronze 60% actuarial value (AV) –Silver 70% AV –Gold 80% AV –Platinum 90% AV
39
kaufCAN.com 39 Catastrophic Plan In addition to the 4 metallic tiers the Marketplace will offer a high deductible catastrophic plan to certain individuals –Younger than age 30; or –No other coverage affordable; or –Obtained hardship exemption Meets individual mandate but not eligible for subsidies Covers 3 primary care visits and no-cost preventive care
40
kaufCAN.com 12 Virginia Rating Areas 1.Blacksburg 2.Charlottesville 3.Danville 4.Harrisonburg 5.Bristol 6.Lynchburg 7. Richmond 8. Roanoke 9. Virginia Beach-Norfolk 10. Arlington/Alexandria 11. Winchester 12. All other non-MSA
41
kaufCAN.com Lowest Monthly Virginia Rates Bronze Coverage, Area 9 Age 21 Catastrophic $128.00 Bronze $166.20 Silver $211.00 2 nd Lowest Silver $212.48 Gold $258.00 Platinum N/A Note exact 3 to 1 ratio Age 64+ $384.00 $498.60 $633.00 $637.44 $774.00 N/A
42
kaufCAN.com 42 Marketplace Enrollment Periods 2014 open enrollment 10/1/2013 – 3/31/2014 2015 open enrollment 11/15/2014 – 2/15/2015 Special enrollment opportunities: –Marriage –Birth or adoption of a child –Permanent move to different rating area –Losing coverage other than by voluntary quit or failure to pay premium
43
kaufCAN.com 43 SHOP Marketplace For small employers to purchase group coverage Small means < 50 (< 100 in 2016) Must use SHOP to claim Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Direct enrollment via broker in 2014 Online enrollment promised for 2015
44
kaufCAN.com 44 Marketplace Subsidies
45
kaufCAN.com 45 2 Marketplace Subsidies APTC- Individuals and families with household income between 100% and 400% of Federal Poverty Level who purchase through the Marketplace will be potentially eligible for advance premium tax credits paid directly by the Marketplace to their selected insurer CSR- Those between 100% and 250% of FPL will receive cost-sharing reductions (reduced deductibles and co-pays) if they purchase at least Silver coverage (70% actuarial value) Collectively = Marketplace subsidies
46
kaufCAN.com 46 Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) Individuals and households 100% to 400% FPL –Available to 47% of US households –20% are below 100% –33% are above 400% Marketplace (HHS) pays APTC directly to selected insurer in advance based on representations of households estimated 2014 income Individual/household pays a % of INCOME, government pays the balance
47
kaufCAN.com 47 Advance Premium Tax Credits APTC operates by capping the individual/household share of the premium for 2 nd lowest cost Silver plan at between 2% and 9.5% of household income NOTE: APTC caps individual/household share of premium at a % of household income, not a % of the actual premium Actual premium irrelevant to the individual/household 100%-133% FPL pays 2% of household income for 2 nd lowest cost Silver plan, government pays the balance 300%-400% FPL pays 9.5% of household income for 2 nd lowest cost Silver plan, government pays the balance
48
kaufCAN.com 48 Sample 2014 Federal Poverty Levels/Lines (FPL) One person household –100% FPL $11,670 –400% FPL $46,680 Two person household –100% FPL $15,730 –400% FPL $62,920 Three person household –100% FPL $19,790 –400% FPL $79,160 Four person household –100% FPL $23.850 –400% FPL $95,400
49
kaufCAN.com 49 APTC Table Percentage of household income contribution towards 2 nd lowest cost Silver (70%) coverage in Marketplace: –100% to 133% FPL 2% –From 133% to 150% 3% to 4% –From 150% to 200%4% to 6.3% –From 200% to 250%6.3 % to 8.05% –From 250% to 300%8.05% to 9.5% –From 300% to 400%9.5% Between bands use inverse linear sliding scale –225% FPL is half way between 200%-250% band –Household income contribution half way between 6.3% and 8.05% = 7.04% See K&C detailed APTC chart
50
kaufCAN.com 50 K&C APTC Chart Example: $30,000 family of 4 falls at 125% FPL, pays 2% of income ($50/month) towards 2 nd lowest cost Silver Below 100% FPL no subsidy (Medicaid non- expansion gap) Above 400% FPL no subsidy
51
kaufCAN.com 51 OOPS- APTC Pay Back APTC provided in advance based on estimate of 2014 income and reconciled on individual tax return Rarely exactly right- rates only smooth between 100%-133% FPL (2%) and 300%-400% FPL (9.5%) If too little, claim additional refundable credit If too much, repay to IRS, subject to maximum repayment limits
52
kaufCAN.com Limits on APTC Repayments 100% to 200% FPL –Single $300 –Married Filing Joint $600 200%-300% FPL –Single $750 –Married Filing Joint $1,500 300%-400% FPL –Single $1,250 –Married Filing Joint $2,500
53
kaufCAN.com 53 APTC Pay Back Example 1 4 person household estimates 2014 income @ $31,000 (130% FPL) Assume 2 nd lowest Silver premium = $10,000 Family share 2.0% x $31,000 = $620 APTC = $9,380 Wage earner gets $1,000 bonus, actual income goes to 135% FPL Revised share of premiums 3.12% = $998 Owes $378 difference with tax return
54
kaufCAN.com 54 APTC Pay Back Example 2 4 person household estimates 2014 income @ $95,000 (barely under 400% FPL) 2 nd lowest Silver premium $12,000 Family share 9.5% x $94,000 = $8,930 APTC = $3,070 Wage earner gets $1,000 bonus, goes above 400% FPL Loses entire $3,070 APTC (300% tax rate!)
55
kaufCAN.com Cost Sharing Reductions (CSR) (Reduced Deductibles & Co-Pays) Never Subject to Repayment 100%-150% FPL 150%-200% FPL 200%-250% FPL 70% Silver increase to 94% 70% Silver increase to 87% 70% Silver increase to 73%
56
kaufCAN.com 56 Employer vs. Marketplace Subsidy? To be eligible for Marketplace subsidies employee cannot be offered adequate and affordable coverage from employer Adequate means at least Bronze (60% actuarial value) coverage- virtually all current offerings meet this standard Affordable means the employees share of the self-only coverage premium cannot be more than 9.5% of his income If employer offers coverage for spouse and/or dependents (even if entire premium paid by employee) then spouse and dependents are also ineligible for Marketplace subsidies Employer may be inadvertently harming certain lower income employees by offering coverage
57
kaufCAN.com 57 Subsidy Analysis Required Analyze workforce to determine value of Marketplace subsidies Requires knowledge of employees household size and household income Household size: taxpayer, spouse if filing joint, dependents Household income: taxpayer, spouse if employed, dependents if required to file a tax return Compare cost of coverage in Marketplace (net of subsidies) to cost of employer group coverage
58
kaufCAN.com 58 Illustrating the Subsidies Joe Employee age 35 earns $30,000/year ($15/hour) and supports a family of 4 (unemployed spouse age 35 and 2 children under age 20), falls at 126% Federal poverty level Joe lives in Virginia Beach (Virginia Rating Area 9) 2 nd lowest cost silver plan (70% actuarial value) Total annual premium for all 4 = $9,470 Family share of premium 2% of income = $50/month = $600/year APTC $9,470 - $600 = $8,870 Cost sharing reductions increase to 94% AV
59
kaufCAN.com 59 Illustrating the Subsidies Buy down to Bronze (60% actuarial value) family coverage Total annual premium $7,407 APTC of $8,870 covers entire cost Family share of premium $-0- But no cost sharing reductions since didnt buy Silver $50 month upgrades from 60% Bronze to 94% better than Platinum
60
kaufCAN.com 60 ACA Savings for Employee Employer of Joe Employee currently offers Bronze (60%) coverage at a cost to Joe of $200/month for the self-only premium with an option to add the family for $700/month (employer subsidy $200/month) Offering is adequate (Bronze) and affordable (self-only premium <9.5% of wages) so Joe cannot receive any Marketplace subsidies
61
kaufCAN.com 61 ACA Savings for Employee Employer decides its $200/month contribution cant come close to the Marketplace subsidies Employer eliminates Joe from employer plan and raises his pay by $200/month effective 1/1/2014 so Joe can take advantage of $9,000+ of Marketplace subsidies
62
kaufCAN.com 62 ACA Savings for Employer Small law firm currently pays the $7,000 insurance cost for the 3 person family of a valued employee making $35,000/year Firm learns that 3 person $35,000 household falls at 177% FPL and household contribution is 5.24% of income ($1,834/year)
63
kaufCAN.com 63 ACA Savings for Employer Firm drops employee & family from coverage and raises employees salary by $2,500 effective 1/1/2014 Firm assists employee in purchasing Silver coverage (enhanced to 87% AV) through the Marketplace (better value than employer offering) Firm realizes $4,500 savings on 1 employee
64
kaufCAN.com 64 Small Employer Strategies Dont offer affordable coverage to any lower income employees who can benefit from Marketplace subsidies after January 1, 2014 Help steer employees to Marketplace opportunity Strategies to eliminate employer offer or make unaffordable Only offer coverage to 40 hour full-time employees and reduce lower income to 39 hours Offer only high priced coverage to ensure self-only premium is unaffordable for lower income Employees pay 100% of premium via cafeteria plan Enroll through SHOP But only avoid minimum participation and contribution requirements during 30 day window
65
kaufCAN.com 65 Small Employer Strategies In comparing value of employer subsidy to the Marketplace subsidy remember that the employer subsidy is more valuable Employer subsidy is tax free to the employee Employees share of Marketplace premium is after tax (non- deductible) Can still offer higher income employees insurance in 2014 Nondiscrimination regulations not yet issued IRS says regulations not effective until 2015 at the earliest Well likely be discussing non-discrimination rules next year- stay tuned Possible long term result: small employers may stop offering group insurance and push all employees to the Marketplace?
66
kaufCAN.com 66 Large Employer Strategies Dont offer affordable coverage to lower income part-time employees after January 1, 2014 Part-time = less than 30 hours/week in prior measurement period Enables those employees to enjoy Marketplace subsidies and will never expose employer to penalties Consider not offering lower income full-time employees adequate and affordable self-only coverage 1/1/14 Allows lower income employees to receive Marketplace subsidies until 2015 renewal But employer not likely to continue this practice when employer mandate starts in 2015
67
kaufCAN.com 67 Large Employer Strategies Consider dropping spouse coverage No ACA requirement to ever offer spouse coverage Enables lower income employees spouse to obtain subsidized Marketplace coverage UPS and UVA notable examples Must offer dependent coverage to avoid penalty Can delay until 2016 if taking steps towards expanding coverage in 2015
68
kaufCAN.com 68 Employer Mandate February 10, 2014 Final Regulations
69
kaufCAN.com 69 Employer Mandate Large employers will be subject to nondeductible penalty taxes unless they offer adequate and affordable group health benefits to their full-time* employees (and children to age 26) *Full-time employee defined as 30 hours/week or 130 hours/month*
70
kaufCAN.com 70 Key Concepts No employer is required to offer health insurance (just strongly encouraged) Small employers (96% of all employers) are never subject to the mandate or penalties –But if they choose to voluntarily offer group health they must comply with all the insurance reforms Large employers never have to offer coverage to (or can be penalized with respect to) part- time employees (<130 hours/month)
71
kaufCAN.com 71 Mandate Effective Date Large employer penalties calculated monthly, essential to know your start month Original effective month January 2014 IRS Notice 2013-45 delayed mandate to January 2015 Final regs delay mandate for some 50-99 employers to January 2016 (see below)
72
kaufCAN.com 72 Fiscal Year Delay to Renewal Some large employers will qualify for an additional delay until their 2015/2016 health insurance renewal date –Must have had a fiscal year plan as of 12/27/12 –Must not have changed fiscal year –As of renewal prior to 2/9/14: Offered to 33% or covered 25% of all employees Offered to 50% or covered 33% of full-time employees –Must actually offer adequate and affordable coverage to all full-time on 2015/2016 renewal date
73
kaufCAN.com 73 Who is the Employer? Employer- treat related entities as 1 employer for purposes of determining employer size (applicable large employer) Apply controlled group and affiliated service group rules of IRC section 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) But treat each related company separately for purposes of determining and assessing penalties
74
kaufCAN.com 74 Who is an Employee? Employee determined under the common law test –Under whos direction and control? –Are independent contractors properly classified? –Workers hired through staffing companies or PEO? –Good news- employer can take credit for health insurance provided by staffing company or PEO so long as employer is charged a higher fee for those EEs –Significant danger if worker is misclassified Excluded from employee definition –Sole proprietors, partners in partnerships and >2% S corporation shareholders –New: bona fide volunteers
75
kaufCAN.com 75 Counting Hours of Service Hours include: –Hours worked –Hours paid while not working (paid holiday, vacation, jury duty, etc.) –Special unpaid leave of absence (FMLA. USERRA, unpaid jury duty) Either credit hours or ignore these periods in calculations –Educational organizations- employment break of 4 or more consecutive weeks Either credit hours or ignore break
76
kaufCAN.com 76 Counting Hours of Service Employees paid hourly must count actual hours Employees not paid hourly must choose from 3 options –Try to track actual hours –Credit 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week if work on that day or week –Other reasonable basis
77
kaufCAN.com 77 Determining Small Exemption 50 or more full-time employees + full time equivalents in prior calendar year = large employer for next calendar year –49 or less = exempt small for next year Full-time employee = 30 or more hours per week or 130 or more hours per month –52 weeks x 30 hours divided by 12 = 130/month Only for small vs. large determination part-time employee hours are converted to full-time equivalents (FTEs) Calculation made for each month in prior year then averaged to determine status for the following calendar year
78
kaufCAN.com 78 New 50-99 1 Year Delay In performing the small employer test in 2014 qualifying employers can substitute 100 for the normal 50 threshold to be considered a large employer in 2015 Qualification requirements: –Has not reduced employees or hours in 2014 –Has not reduced coverage offered 2/9/14 –Signs certification of compliance
79
kaufCAN.com 79 Small Employer Calculation Template for determining full-time employees and FTEs for a month: 1.List all employees for the month and their hours 2.Sort by hours (high to low) 3.Number of employees at 130 or more hours = actual full- time employees 4.Total the hours for all other employees (but dont count more than 120 hours for any one employee) = total part-time hours 5.Divide total part-time hours by 120 = number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) (carry to second decimal point) 6.Number of actual full-time employees + number of FTEs = testing number for that month
80
kaufCAN.com 80 Small Employer Calculation Average number for prior calendar year determines status for following calendar year 1.Add the calendar year monthly totals, divide by 12 and round down to the next lowest whole number 2.If the resulting number is 49 or less (99 in 2014) the employer is small and exempt from the mandate for the following calendar year 3.If the resulting number is 50 or higher (100 in 2014) the employer is large and subject to the mandate for the following year (unless the seasonal employer exception applies)
81
kaufCAN.com 81 Monthly Calculation Example For the month of January 2014 employer had 72 employees: 12 salaried and hourly employees who worked 130 or more hours (actual full time employees) 10 hourly employees who worked between 121 and 129 hours (limit to 120 hours each = 1,200 total part-time hours for these 10) 50 hourly employees who each worked <121 hours and collectively worked 4,000 hours Total part-time hours = 1,200 + 4,000 = 5,200 Divide 5,200 hours by 120 = 43.33 FTEs 12 actual full time + 43.33 FTEs = 55.33 number for January 2015
82
kaufCAN.com 82 Special 2014 6 Month Rule Special transition rule for 2014 calculations: –Dont have to include all 12 months of 2014 in test –Use any 6 or more consecutive month period –28 possible testing periods (6 or more consecutive months) –Recommendation: test all 28 iterations until you find one <100 –Make permanent record of test results and underlying data to support 2015 exemption if IRS proposes a penalty Any employment changes (hours reductions) need to be in place by 7/1/14 to capture the requisite 6 month minimum period Note: future years will test using all 12 calendar months –For first calendar year fall into large category given until April 1 st to offer coverage and avoid penalty for January-March
83
kaufCAN.com 83 Seasonal Worker Exception If employer fails the <50 general test may still be exempt if: –Workforce exceeded 50 for no more than 120 days or 4 months –100% of the employees in excess of 50 for those 120 days or 4 months were seasonal workers –Cant combine with special 6 month 2014 transition Employer can chose any 120 days or 4 months, not required to be consecutive –Suggestion: test as many combinations as needed to demonstrate exemption Seasonal workers include those in agriculture, retail during holidays and other reasonably determined seasonal businesses (summer help in resort areas)
84
kaufCAN.com 84 Exempt Small Employer- Stop Here 99 or less in 2014 = exempt small employer for 2015: stop here (future years needs to be 49 or less) Determine whether to offer health insurance, to whom and at what cost without regard to the employer mandate/penalty But health insurance reforms will apply to any coverage offered Be mindful that offering affordable coverage to lower income employees will make them ineligible for Marketplace subsidies Be mindful that non-discrimination requirements must be considered once IRS issues regulations
85
kaufCAN.com 85 Large Employer Planning To plan for and mitigate the impact of the penalties starting in 2015 (2016 for 55-99) large employers need a strategy to identify and track (measure) all employees based on their potential classification as full-time employees who can expose the employer to penalties Since penalties are calculated monthly, identification/measuring must be monthly
86
kaufCAN.com 86 Large Employer Employee Categories Full-time: 130+ hours/month Part-time: always work <130/month Variable hour: cannot reasonably determine whether employee will work 130/month Seasonal: will work >130/month but for less than 6 months/year
87
kaufCAN.com 87 Full-Time Employees This is the only class that can cause penalties Assume every employee falls into this class until you can demonstrate otherwise Salaried employees will almost always fall in this class New employees: apply reasonable expectation test –But cant consider likelihood employment be of short duration
88
kaufCAN.com 88 Part-Time Employees Employees who will never work 130 or more hours per month Some employers ensuring this result by limiting total work hours to <130 per month (or <1,560 over measurement year) If calendar month hour tracking difficult, final regs allow 120 hours for 4 week months and 150 hours for 5 week months
89
kaufCAN.com 89 Variable Hour Employees At time of hire employer cant reasonably determine whether employee will work 130 or more hours per month Employer can measure hours for up to a year before treating as full-time IRS concerned about abuse
90
kaufCAN.com 90 Variable Hour Employees Factors employer must consider: –Is employee replacing a FT or PT employee? –Do other employees in similar positions usually qualify as FT or PT? –How was position advertised or represented? Factor that cannot be considered: knowledge or expectation that employment will be short duration
91
kaufCAN.com 91 Seasonal Employees Employee is hired into a position that lasts for less than 6 months per year (based on historical data) Do not have to treat as full-time despite working 130+ hours/month during the in season
92
kaufCAN.com 92 Measuring Part-time and Variable Hour Employees Full-time and seasonal employees will be relatively easy to identify Part-time and variable hour employees will be more problematic Two options: –Determine status on a current month basis (monthly measurement periods); or –Determine status on a look-back basis (look-back measurement periods)
93
kaufCAN.com 93 Monthly Measurement Period Determine each employees status based on how many hours they worked in the current calendar month For weekly tracking systems use 120/hours 4 week months, 150/hours 5 week months Once employee crosses threshold have 3 months to offer coverage to avoid penalty
94
kaufCAN.com 94 Look-Back Measurement Periods Determine full-time status based on look-back to prior period hours Provides measure of certainty with respect to employees whos hours may vary from month to month (part-time or variable hour) Prevents a temporary spike in hours causing reclassification as full-time
95
kaufCAN.com 95 Look Back Measurement Process Test the employees hours during a prior measurement period (max 12 months) Analyze the data, make the status determination and notify and enroll full-time employees during an optional administrative period (max 90 days) Based on hours of employment during the measurement period treat employees as full-time or part-time during a future stability period (max 12 months)
96
kaufCAN.com 96 Choosing Periods Generally advisable to choose 12 month stability period that coincides with insurance year Generally advisable to include an administrative period Assuming a 2 month administrative period, then back into the measurement period
97
kaufCAN.com 97 Sample Look Back Methodology Optimum 12 month measurement and stability periods for a calendar year health plan: –Measurement period 11/1/2013 to 10/31/2014 (12 months) –Administrative period 11/1/2014 to 12/31/2014 (2 months) –Stability period calendar year 2015 (12 months) Example: –Employee F works an average 32 hours/week and employee P works an average 28 hours/week during measurement period –During the following stability period employee F deemed to be a full-time employee and P deemed to be a part-time employee irrespective of the actual number of hours worked during that stability period
98
kaufCAN.com 98 Special 6 Month Rule for 2014 Measurement and stability periods must generally be the same length (ideally 12 months each) Transition rule: employers may use a short 2014 measurement period and still use a 12 month 2015 stability period if the measurement period: –Is at least 6 consecutive months long –Ends <90 days before 2015 renewal date –Begins no later than July 1, 2014
99
kaufCAN.com 99 Sample 2014 Look Back Periods Calendar year plan: –Measurement period 5/1/2014 to 10/31/2014 (6 months) –Administrative period 11/1/2014 to 12/31/2014 (2 months) –Stability period calendar year 2015 (12 months) April 1 st renewal date –Measurement period 7/1/2014 to 1/31/2015 (7 months) –Administrative period 2/1/2015 to 3/31/2015 (2 months) –Stability period 4/1/2015 to 3/31/2016 (12 months) July 1 st renewal date –Measurement period 7/1/2014 to 4/30/2015 (10 months) –Administrative period 5/1/2015 to 6/30/2015 (2 months) –Stability period 7/1/2015 to 6/30/2016 (12 months)
100
kaufCAN.com 100 Final Status Records After selecting the periods and running the analysis prepare a final report (with supporting payroll data) Keep report as proof of which 2014 employees are deemed to be full-time (and can subject the employer to penalties) in 2015 Have report available to counter IRS penalty assertion in late 2016
101
kaufCAN.com 101 Note on Waiting & Measurement Periods Large employers are exempt from penalties during the initial 90 day waiting period for new full-time employees or during the look-back measurement period for variable hour employees ONLY if minimum value coverage is offered at the end of those periods
102
kaufCAN.com 102 What About New Employees? If classified as full-time (reasonably expect employee to work 130 or more hours/month) offer coverage within 90 days of hire or risk penalty If classified as part-time or variable hour measure actual employment over a maximum 12 month special initial measurement period and if actual hours >1,560 (130 x 12) offer coverage within one month (13 month rule) or risk penalty
103
kaufCAN.com 103 What About Rehired Employees? If employee gone for 13 weeks can be treated as new employee upon rehire –26 weeks required for educational employees Rule of parity: employer can treat former employee as a new employee if length of period gone is at least 4 weeks and is less than the prior period of employment –Example: employee works 6 weeks, is gone 8 weeks, can treat as new employee –Example: employee works 2 weeks, is gone 3 weeks, cant be treated as new employee (not gone 4 weeks)
104
kaufCAN.com 104 Large Employer a Penalty 4980H(a) penalty (a/k/a the $2,000, no coverage or sledgehammer penalty) If large employer fails to offer qualifying coverage to all of its full-time employees for a particular month and 1 or more full-time employees receive a Marketplace subsidy for such month then penalty is $167.67 per full-time employee in excess of 30 for such month $167.67/month = $2,000/year Punitive penalty: applies to all full-time employees including those purchasing employer coverage, those covered by spouse, Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, CHIP and those going without coverage
105
kaufCAN.com 105 Large Employer a Penalty Modifications to all requirement by IRS regulations Otherwise missing 1 of 10,000 could = $20M penalty Proposed regulations permit 5% margin of error Could miss <500 of 10,000 and avoid the a penalty Final regulations permit 30% margin of error for 2015 only Then revert to 5% rule for 2016 and future Final regulations also increase 30 employee exemption to 80 employees for 2015 only (IRS theory is 30 was 20 less than 50, 80 is 20 less than 100)
106
kaufCAN.com 106 Large Employer b Penalty 4980H(b) penalty (the $3,000, inadequate/unaffordable coverage or tack-hammer penalty) If large employer fails to offer adequate and/or affordable coverage to a full-time employee for a month in which the employee receives a Marketplace subsidy penalty = $250 $250/month = $3,000/year Penalty more understandable than the a penalty since employer is only penalized for employees receiving government subsidies b penalty cannot exceed what the a penalty would have been had it applied (cant pay more by offering something than by offering nothing)
107
kaufCAN.com 107 Penalty COLA Adjustments Penalties will increase at the rate of health care costs HHS projects 6% increase for 2015: –$2,000 will become $2,120 ($176.66/month) –$3,000 will become $3,180 ($265/month)
108
kaufCAN.com 108 $3,180 (b) Penalty Example In 2015 employer offers all 100 full-time employees adequate but unaffordable coverage 30 employees obtain coverage from spouse, Tricare, Medicare or Medicaid 30 employees >400 FPL buy coverage from employer 30 employees refuse to purchase any coverage (may be subject to the individual mandate penalty) 10 employees under 400% FPL purchase subsidized coverage in the Marketplace Inadequate/Unaffordable Penalty: $3,180 x 10 employees receiving subsidies = $31,800
109
kaufCAN.com 109 $2,120 a Penalty Example Same facts as above except employer does not offer any coverage Since at least 1 employee received a subsidy penalty = $2,120 x 20 (100 full-time employees - 80) = $42,400 –Under normal 30 exemption penalty in 2016 would be $148,400 ($2,120 x 70) Strategy: large employers will generally want to offer minimum essential coverage that is unaffordable or fails minimum value rather than offering nothing (tack hammer hurts less than sledgehammer)
110
kaufCAN.com 110 Avoiding Employer Penalties Requirements to avoid employer penalties: Offer coverage to All full-time employees that Provides minimum essential coverage Meets minimum value Is affordable
111
kaufCAN.com 111 The Coverage Offer Offer coverage to all full-time employees Offer coverage to dependent children until end of month attain age 26 –Includes adopted children but not step or foster children –Dependent coverage not required for 2015 so long as steps being taken to offer coverage in 2016 No requirement to ever offer spouse coverage –UPS and UVA notable employers already dropping spouses Offering must be communicated to full-time employees so they have an effective opportunity to participate –Recommendation: keep signed election forms or other acknowledgement from all full-time employees
112
kaufCAN.com 112 Minimum Essential Coverage Large employers must offer minimum essential coverage (MEC) –Means offering a group health plan that provides medical care –Relatively easy to qualify as MEC Large employer insurance offering not required to cover the 10 Essential Health Benefits (discussed earlier)
113
kaufCAN.com 113 Minimum Value Employers offering must provide at least a 60% minimum actuarial value Actuarial value (AV) is a relative measure of a plans generosity –A plan providing 60% AV would be expected to cover 60% of the cost of medical/health needs of a standard population –Employee would cover cost of remaining 40% through co-pays and deductibles –HHS and IRS provide AV calculators and safe harbors For comparison shopping 4 levels of AV: –Bronze 60% (the base level for employer mandate) –Silver 70% (the base level for Marketplace subsidies) –Gold 80% –Platinum 90%
114
kaufCAN.com 114 Affordability Statute: coverage is affordable if the employees premium for self-only coverage is no more than 9.5% of the employees household income IRS allowing use of employees W-2 Box 1 (gross wages subject to income tax) as a substitute for household income Box 1 is AFTER pre-tax 401(k) and cafeteria plan deductions Affordability is measured on cost of employee-only coverage under the lowest cost 60% minimum value (Bronze) plan offered by the employer
115
kaufCAN.com 115 Affordability Safe Harbors 3 IRS safe harbors on affordability of employee share of premium for employee-only coverage: –9.5% of Box 1 wages –9.5% of lowest hourly wage x 130 hours per month –9.5% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Examples –Employee earns $5,000/month (Box 1), employee-only coverage affordable at $475 or less per month –Employee paid $9.00 per hour, coverage affordable at $111.15 or less per month ($9.00 x 130 x 9.5%) –Under current FPL of $11,670, coverage affordable at $92.38 or less per month ($11,670/12 x 9.5%) Use this option as a design based safe harbor OK even for months where employees wages fall below FPL
116
kaufCAN.com 116 Penalty Avoidance Strategies Large employer complies with intent of statute –Offers adequate and affordable coverage to all full-time employees and their dependents –Can exclude spouses Employer has <30 full-time employees (<80 in 2015) but is large due to large part time workforce –No penalty since the no coverage penalty only applies to full-time employees in excess of 30 (80 for 2015) –But if 50-99 have to start reporting requirements for 2015
117
kaufCAN.com 117 Penalty Avoidance Strategies Employer limits all hourly paid employees to <130 hours/month in 2014 look back measurement period –1,560 total hours if using 12 month measurement Employer limits all employees < 400% FPL to <130 hours/month in 2014 (no full-time employee can qualify for subsidized coverage in 2015) Employer only employees workers making >400% FPL or are covered by spouse, Tricare, Medicare, Medicaid (no employee can receive a Marketplace subsidy - risky strategy)
118
kaufCAN.com 118 Compliance Issues & Planning Determination of related employers, common law employees and hours of service Exploration of opportunities to break a single employer or related entities apart to qualify for the small employer exemption (no later than July 1, 2014) Exploration of changes in employment practices (limit certain employees to <130 hours/month) to minimize full- time population in 2015 (no later than July 1, 2014) Must consider employment law concerns with respect to any strategies under consideration
119
kaufCAN.com 119 Caution in Penalty Strategizing ERISA Section 510- employers may not …discharge, fine, suspend, expel or discriminate against a participant or beneficiary…for the purpose of interfering with the attainment of any right to which such participant may become entitled under the plan… ACA Section 1558- No employer shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee with respect to…compensation, terms, conditions or other privileges of employment because the employee… has received a premium tax credit (subsidy) or is a whistleblower
120
kaufCAN.com 120 3 Reporting Requirements Associated with the Mandate 1.Section 6051- Report cost of employer- sponsored health care on Form W-2 2.Section 6055- Insurer or self-funded plan report type and period of minimum essential coverage (MEC) (ties to individual mandate) 3.Section 6056- Large employer reports offer of MEC to full-time employees (ties to large employer mandate)
121
kaufCAN.com 121 Section 6051 W-2 Reporting Employers must report cost of employer- sponsored health benefits on Form W-2 (started in 2010) Allows IRS to accumulate data in anticipation of implementation of 40% excise tax on Cadillac coverage in 2018 Currently limited to employers who filed more than 250 W-2s in prior year (but will expand downstream)
122
kaufCAN.com 122 Section 6055 MEC Reporting Starting for calendar year 2015 IRS must know which taxpayers received minimum essential coverage (MEC) for each month of the year Required to determine taxpayer liability for the individual mandate penalty All MEC providers must file new reports (details by taxpayer by month) Insurance company responsible for insured plans Employer responsible for self-insured plans
123
kaufCAN.com 123 Section 6056 Offer Reporting Starting for calendar year 2015 IRS must know which employees of large employers were offered minimum essential coverage (MEC) for each month of the year Required to determine employer liability for the employer mandate penalty All large employers will have to file reports (including the 50-99 group exempt from 2015 penalties) Reports will cover all 12 calendar months of 2015, including months prior to 2015 renewal/effective date
124
kaufCAN.com 124 Assessment and Collection Procedures HHS will notify employer (section 1411 certification) when employee applies for subsidized marketplace coverage –employer will have opportunity to contest subsidy Effective for 2015 large employers will file new annual reports with IRS (with copies to employees) –Insurers and self-funded plans will report similar information on coverage to IRS Employees report premium subsidies on their individual tax returns (beginning with 2015 returns due by 10/15/2016)
125
kaufCAN.com 125 Assessment and Collection Procedures IRS will match 2015 data from HHS/Marketplace, employer, insurers and employees (probably late 2016) and send a proposed penalty assessment for 2015 to employer Employer will have an opportunity to dispute/clarify the facts that led to the proposed assessment Ultimately IRS will bill the employer for the penalties (separate from other tax returns) First nastygrams expected late 2016
126
kaufCAN.com 126 Transition Relief Summary Extended/continued from proposed regs –Effective date delayed to 2015 renewal date –6 month calculation of small for 2015 –Possible 6-11 month short 2014 measurement period (depending on renewal month) –Dependent coverage required until 2016 –Multiemployer (union) coverage sufficient
127
kaufCAN.com 127 Transition Relief Summary New relief in final regs –No 2015 penalty for 50-99 medium employers (with conditions, must still do 2015 reporting) –No 2015 a penalty if offer to 70% (vs. 95%) –No 2015 a penalty on first 80 FT employees (vs. 30) Relief not extended –Special 1 time change to fiscal year cafeteria plan election for year that overlaps 1/1/2014
128
kaufCAN.com 128 Latest Delay Overview Employer4980H6056 Size Mandate Reporting <50 (96%)NeverNever 50-99 (2%)20162015 100+(2%)20152015
129
kaufCAN.com 129 Employer Mandate by the Numbers 5%- margin of error permitted in offering coverage to all full-time employees (30% in 2015) 9.5%- maximum % of income self-only premium for coverage to be affordable 30- threshold hours per week to be full-time employee 30- threshold number of full-time employees before any penalty tax applies (80 for 2015 only) 50- threshold average number of full-time employees and full-time equivalents in prior calendar year to be treated as large employer subject to mandate in following year (100 for 2014 only)
130
kaufCAN.com 130 Employer Mandate by the Numbers 60%- Bronze level of coverage (employer mandate) 70%- Silver level of coverage (Marketplace subsidy) 80%- Gold level of coverage 90%- Platinum level of coverage 90- maximum days in waiting period before new employee must be offered coverage 120- divisor into total part-time hours in a month to determine full-time equivalents 130- threshold hours per month to be treated as full-time employee (functional counterpart to 30 hours/week) $176.66- monthly no coverage penalty (2015) $265- monthly unaffordable coverage penalty (2015)
131
kaufCAN.com 131 Employer Mandate Checklist Determine employer Determine employees Count hours IF MIGHT QUALIFY AS SMALL/EXEMPT- –Make FT and FTE calcs (100 threshold) –Use 6 or more months in 2014 –Special rules for seasonal –If small for 2015 stop here
132
kaufCAN.com 132 Employer Mandate Checklist Divide employees into categories –Full time –Part time –Variable hour –Seasonal Determine measurement method and periods Calculate full-time employees Determine effective date of mandate
133
kaufCAN.com 133 Employer Mandate Checklist Determine cost of compliant coverage Decide whether to pay or play with respect to full-time employees Extend offer of coverage by effective date Gear up for complying with recordkeeping and reporting requirements Maintain audit trail of employee classification and hours history
134
kaufCAN.com 134 Checklist of Major ACA Requirements by Employer Size
135
kaufCAN.com 135 All Size Employers Whether or Not Offering Health Insurance Provide Marketplace notice on October 1, 2013 and all future employees at point of hire
136
kaufCAN.com 136 Only Large Employers Prepare for and deal with the Employer Mandate & penalty exposure Collect data and file new informational returns tied to enforcement of the Individual and Employer Mandates W-2 reporting of value of health benefits (>250) > 200 - auto enrollment of all eligible employees in health plan (coming when?)
137
kaufCAN.com 137 ACA Requirements Applicable to All Employers Offering Coverage No pre-existing condition exclusions Cover children to age 26 No annual or lifetime limits on EHB No cost preventive care No rescission except fraud or misrepresentation Equitably share MLR rebates with employees Distribute SBC in prescribed format Limit medical FSA to $2,500/year
138
kaufCAN.com 138 ACA $100/day Penalty Exposure All Employers Offering Coverage Notice of choice of physician Notice of expanded claims & appeal procedures SBC distribution (penalty delayed until 2015) Notice of material modification of coverage Notice of grandfather status Notice of 1 year delay in offering no cost contraception (if applicable)
139
kaufCAN.com 139 ACA Taxes and Fees Impacting Cost of Coverage (All Size Employers) Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute fee (PCORI) Transitional Reinsurance Fee (2014-2016) 2018- 40% excise tax on Cadillac coverage
140
kaufCAN.com 140 Questions? John M. Peterson 757.624.3003 JMPeterson@KaufCan.com 150 West Main Street Suite 2100 Norfolk, VA 23510
Similar presentations
© 2024 SlidePlayer.com Inc.
All rights reserved.