King County & Snohomish County Health Insurance Open Enrollment begins in 1 week! Are you ready? Need help? We're not called PNW Insurance Solutions for nothing. Contact us today. 
 

The Trump administration announced yesterday that it will no longer make cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to insurance companies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). According to a statement issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the agency's decision to discontinue these payments immediately follows a legal review by HHS, the Department of Treasury, the Office of Management and Budget, and an opinion from the U.S. Attorney General. 

Background
The ACA requires insurers to offer plans with reduced deductibles, copayments, and other means of cost sharing to eligible individuals who purchase plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. In turn, insurers receive CSR payments arranged by the Secretary of HHS to cover the costs they incur because of this requirement. Whether CSR payments were properly appropriated by Congress has been the subject of litigation since 2014.
To read the HHS statement, click here. 

Call us today for more information about ACA requirements and changes to the Individual & Family marketplace. We're here to help. PNW Insurance Solutions - (425) 314-0988.  Ask for Wendee Allen

New Executive Order Calls for Expanding Access to Association Health Plans

President Trump has signed an executive order calling upon the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to consider, among other things, expanding access to Association Health Plans, which could potentially allow employers to form groups across state lines. Until further guidance is issued or legislation is signed, however, all current ACA requirements remain in effect, including penalties for noncompliance.

Key Highlights

The following are key highlights of the order:

Association Health Plans (AHPs): The executive order directs the DOL to consider adopting a broader interpretation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which could potentially allow employers in the same line of business anywhere in the country to join together to offer health insurance coverage to their employees.

Short-Term, Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI): The executive order directs federal agencies to consider ways of expanding coverage through low-cost STLDI, which is not subject to certain ACA rules.

Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs): The executive order directs federal agencies to consider changes to the rules regulating HRAs so that employers can make better use of these arrangements for their employees.

Note: In general, executive orders must be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires extended review of and public comment on any federal rules which may be proposed as a result of an executive order. Going forward, we will promptly report changes made to any ACA requirements.

To access your HR library, please visit www.pnwisol.com/hr360. Call with questions (425) 314-0988.