Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires employers who sponsor a Cafeteria Plan (sometimes called a Section 125 Plan or Premium-only-Plan) to conduct certain non-discrimination tests. Because a Cafeteria Plan provides tax-free benefits, the IRS has rules in place so that tax-free benefits are not provided or elected more favorably to employees who are considered key employees. This is referred to as the Key Employee Concentration Non-Discrimination Test.
Cafeteria Plans, sometimes called Premium-only-Plans (POPs) or Section 125 Plans, allow employees to pay for health and welfare benefits with pre-tax contributions. Because contributions are tax-deductible, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a set of rules in place to ensure highly compensated employees are not receiving or electing benefits more favorably than non-highly compensated employees. This is referred to as the Contributions and Benefits Non-Discrimination Test.
Cafeteria Plans, sometimes called Premium-only-Plans (POPs) or Section 125 Plans, allow employees to pay for health and welfare benefits with pre-tax contributions. Because contributions are tax-deductible, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a set of rules in place to ensure highly compensated employees are not eligible for benefits more favorably than non-highly compensated employees. This is referred to as the Eligibility Non-Discrimination Test.
Last week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Rev. Proc. 2022-24 which includes the 2023 limits for qualified high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Below is a summary of these limits:
Minimum Deductible to Qualify as an HDHP
On May 18, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2021-31 with additional guidance pertaining to the COBRA subsidies authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). The guidance is broken up into various sections and consists of 86 different frequently asked questions (FAQs). Some details summarizing the guidance has been provided below.
Agency officials were busy last week releasing updated forms and publications while also proposing new rules that would generally impact health plans in 2020. Here are three important releases which are now available:
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), the year-end FSA frenzy is here. FSA participants that may have contributed too much money may be in panic mode, but it does not have to be that way for you. Let’s take a look at some ways to use your FSA money.
Visit your:
- Doctor to make sure to get all immunizations done.
- Dentist/Orthodontist to get a check up on those pearly whites.
- Optometrist to get an eye exam! Buy a new pair of eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, contact lenses, or even stock up on contact lens solution.
- Dermatologist to get prescriptions, such as acne treatments.
More and more, employers are starting to offer high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) in their benefits program. Correspondingly, the rate of employees enrolled in a HDHP has grown year-over-year. Even though this isn’t the standard health plan option you might be used to, here are four reasons to be thankful for your HDHP this enrollment season:
- Covers 100% - Just like a traditional health plan, basic preventive services such as vaccinations and wellness exams are covered at 100%! You can stay proactive with your health care and save money.