I hear that beginning in 2011, the value of group health plan benefits has to be reported on Form W-2. Does this mean the benefits are taxable?

No.  While it is true that employers must begin reporting the value of certain group health plan benefits on employees’ Form W-2 wage reports beginning in 2011, the benefits are NOT currently subject to taxation.  For now, the government has stated that these benefits are being reported for informational …

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Are employer-sponsored group health plans covering retirees subject to health care reform?

Maybe.  If both active employees and retirees are combined in one plan, then health care reform applies, even to the retiree portion of the plan.  However, plans that are separate and do not include any active employees – so called “retiree-only” plans – may avoid government enforcement of health care …

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Therapeutic Discovery Tax Credit Applications Now Available

IRS application forms and instructions relating to the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project ("QTDP") tax credit, created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, are now available on the IRS website. This tax incentive will provide either a tax credit or a direct grant to eligible taxpayers …

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What happens if an insured plan loses grandfather status?

Insured plans need to determine the importance of grandfather status compared to the additional regulation for non-grandfathered plans.  As a practical matter, insurance providers will likely make this decision, but the employer should be aware of these issues.  We recently discussed the implications for …

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Five Action Items for Health Care Executives and Board Members, Part Three

Putting aside hotly contested issues such as the proper scope of federal authority and the cost of expanded coverage, the new law has pragmatic implications for health care providers in five broad areas that will affect provider activity in a number of different ways.  Today is the final post in the series. Five …

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Five Action Items for Health Care Executives and Board Members, Part Two

Putting aside hotly contested issues such as the proper scope of federal authority and the cost of expanded coverage, the new law has pragmatic implications for health care providers in five broad areas that will affect provider activity in a number of different ways.  Today is Part Two of covering the Five …

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