NARFA News Flash
On February 10, 2013, the Treasury Department released final regulations on the employer mandate rules also known as the “Pay or Play” rules. Under the proposed rules, employers with 50 or more employees were required to provide their full-time employees – defined as employees working over 30 hours per week – with health insurance.
The final rules provide a gradual phase-in of the employer mandate provisions. Employers with more than 50, but less than 100 employees will not be subject to any penalties if they fail to provide health insurance to their full-time employees in 2014 and 2015. This employer mandate will kick in for this in 2016, and barring any future changes, this group will not be subject to penalties until then.
Employers with 100 or more employees also got a break. Although these employers generally have to comply with the employer mandate beginning 2015, the final rules provide that in 2015 these employers can avoid the penalties for failing to cover all their full-time employees if they offer coverage to at least 70 percent of full-time employees. That percentage increases to 95 percent in 2016.
Employers under 50 employees have never been subject to the employer mandate.
Here are the Final Regulations Implementing Employer Shared Responsibility Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for 2015 (pdf).
Recent Posts
IRS Guidance on Nutrition, Wellness, and General Health Expenses
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recently highlighted that costs associated with nutrition, wellness, and general health do not typically qualify as reimbursable medical expenses [...]
HSAs Today and Every Day: A Triple Threat Against Rising Healthcare Costs
The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and in 2024, rising costs remain a top concern for both employers and employees. Fortunately, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) [...]
April Showers Don’t Cause Accidents (Distracted Driving Does): Stay Safe on the Road This Month (and Every Month)
Spring is here, and with it comes April's designation as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. While the changing seasons and blooming flowers might tempt you to [...]