Health and Welfare Compliance Guide - Ardent Solutions

Health and Welfare Compliance Guide Updated September 2014

2871 Lake Vista Drive, Suite 125 Lewisville, TX 75067 T 469.635.8500

? 2014 Proskauer Rose LLP -- This document has been prepared by Proskauer Rose LLP exclusively for the members of Benefit Advisors Network and is intended to provide general information concerning the subject matter. It should not be considered specific legal advice. Consult with your regular benefits attorney before utilizing the information contained in this document.

About The Health and Welfare Compliance Guide Ardent Solutions has arranged for this guide to be created for our clients by Proskauer Rose LLP. Proskauer is an international law firm, with more than 750 lawyers located in Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Paris, S?o Paulo and Washington, D.C. Proskauer is one of the oldest and most prestigious law firms in the country. The Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group at Proskauer have experience in every aspect of employee benefits law. In addition, Proskauer features a highly recognized labor and employment group that deals with labor and employment issues for some of the nation's best known employers. Ardent Solutions and its affiliates provide advice and consulting on insurance and benefit issues, which may have important tax or legal implications; we do not provide tax or legal advice. This Guide is designed to provide general information with respect to Health and Welfare Plan compliance. No representation is made that the information provided is comprehensive or anything more than an overview. The information contained in this Guide is not intended, and should not be viewed as, legal advice. Specific questions about the tax or legal implications of your policy or related matters should be referred to a qualified ERISA and employee benefits attorney. This Guide was last updated in August 2014 to reflect guidance about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and other changes to federal law prior to September 1, 2014. Neither Proskauer nor the broker who has provided this Guide to you has any obligation to update any information provided herein. The information contained in this Guide is accurate as of September 1, 2014. No responsibility is assumed for guidance published after that date. Users of this Guide must obtain advice from qualified ERISA counsel on all information contained herein.

2

Table of Contents

1. Health and Welfare Plan Compliance Guide Disclaimer........................................7

2. PPACA in General, Glossary of Terms & Grandfathered Plans..............................8 2.1 Glossary of ACA Terms.........................................................................................................9 2.2 Grandfathered Plans...........................................................................................................13

2.3 Grandfathered Checklist..................................................................................14

3. Plan Document Requirements............................................................................18 3.1 Written Plan Document........................................................................................................18 3.2 Summary Plan Description (SPD)..........................................................................................18 3.3 Summary of Material Modification (SMM).............................................................................21 3.4 Notice of Material Reduction in Covered Services or Benefits..................................................21 3.5 Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC).............................................................................22 3.6 Summary Annual Report (SAR).............................................................................................25 3.7 Claims Review Procedures...................................................................................................26 3.8 Claims Procedures Time Chart..............................................................................................28 3.9 Special Claims Rules Applicable to Non-Grandfathered Health Plans........................................29 3.10 Electronic Disclosure Rules.................................................................................................30 3.11 Document Retention Rules..................................................................................................31

4. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).................................32 4.1 Laws and Regulations.........................................................................................................32 4.2 Length of COBRA Coverage................................................................................................32 4.3 COBRA Notice Requirements...............................................................................................33 4.4 COBRA Notice Checklist.....................................................................................................35 4.5 Mini-COBRA State Laws......................................................................................................36

5. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)..............................36 5.1 HIPAA Portability Provisions.................................................................................................36 5.2 HIPAA Portability Checklist..................................................................................................37 5.3 HIPAA Privacy Standards.....................................................................................................38 5.4 HIPAA/HITECH Omnibus Final Rule......................................................................................44 5.5 HIPAA Privacy Standards Compliance Checklist.....................................................................45 5.6 HIPAA Security Standards....................................................................................................46 5.7 Gap Analysis.....................................................................................................................46

? 2014 Proskauer Rose LLP -- This document has been prepared by Proskauer Rose LLP exclusively for the members of

3

Benefit Advisors Network and is intended to provide general information concerning the subject matter. It should not be considered

specific legal advice. Consult with your regular benefits attorney before utilizing the information contained in this document.

5.8 HIPAA Privacy & Security....................................................................................................47 5.9 Authorization to Release Information.....................................................................................51 6. Wellness Programs........................................................................................................ 51 6.1 General Rules.................................................................................................................... 51 6.2 The Five Requirements......................................................................................................... 52 6.3 Programs Exempt from Wellness Rules................................................................................... 54 6.4 GINA Considerations......................................................................................................... 55 6.5 ADA Considerations........................................................................................................... 55 6.6 New Guidance on Wellness Programs and "Affordability"under the Play or Pay Mandate.......... 67 7. HIPAA Nondiscrimination Rules...................................................................................... 58 7.1 Uniform Application............................................................................................................ 59 7.2 Source of Injury Rules.......................................................................................................... 59 7.3 Similarly Situated Individuals Determination........................................................................... 60 7.4 Non-confinement Provisions................................................................................................. 60 7.5 Actively-at-Work Provisions.................................................................................................. 61 7.6 "Supplemental Plan" Safe Harbor......................................................................................... 61 8. Military Leave (USERRA)................................................................................................. 62 8.1 Employer Obligations with Respect to Military Service Leave................................................... 62 8.2 Employees on Military Leave................................................................................................ 65 8.3 USERRA Notice.................................................................................................................. 66 9. Code Section 105(h) Nondiscrimination Rules................................................................. 66 9.1 General Rules.................................................................................................................... 66 9.2 Penalties............................................................................................................................ 67 9.3 Eligibility Test..................................................................................................................... 67 9.4 Benefits Test....................................................................................................................... 68 10. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)........................................................................... 68 10.1 FMLA Checklist................................................................................................................ 71 10.2 Relevant State Family and Medical Leave Regulations........................................................... 71 10.3 FMLA & Cafeteria Plans.................................................................................................... 71 10.4 FMLA & Cafeteria Plans ? Payment Options......................................................................... 71 11. Medicare Part D ? Medicare Modernization Act (MMA).................................................. 73 11.1 Annual Report of Prescription Drug Creditable Coverage to CMS........................................... 73 11.2 Participant Notice of Creditable Coverage.......................................................................... 74

4

11.3 Medicare Part D ? Model Notices...................................................................................... 77 12. Other Laws and Requirements..................................................................................... 77

12.1 Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA)........................................................................................ 77 12.2 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)..................................................... 77 12.3 Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act (Newborns' Act)............................................ 77 12.4 Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA)............................................................... 78 12.5 National Medical Support (NMS) Notice............................................................................ 78 12.6 Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO)............................................................... 78 12.7 Michelle's Law................................................................................................................. 78 12.8 Medicare Secondary Payer Reporting Requirements............................................................. 79 12.9 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act ("GINA")........................................................... 79 12.10 Age 26 Coverage Requirement (PPACA)........................................................................... 79 12.11 Elimination of Lifetime Limits (PPACA)................................................................................ 81 12.12 Elimination of Annual Limits (PPACA)................................................................................ 82 12.13 Annual Limit Waiver Program (PPACA).............................................................................. 84 12.14 Zero Co-Pay/Out-of-Pocket for Preventive Services (PPACA)................................................. 85 12.15 Prohibition on Preexisting Condition Exclusions and Limitations (PPACA)............................... 95 12.16 Prohibition on Rescissions of Coverage (PPACA)................................................................. 95 12.17 Choice of Health Care Professional (PPACA)...................................................................... 96 12.18 Coverage for Out-of-Network Emergency Services (PPACA)................................................. 96 12.19 Medical Loss Ratio Requirements (PPACA)......................................................................... 97 12.20 "Simple" Cafeteria Plans (PPACA).................................................................................... 97 12.21 Informational Reporting (PPACA)...................................................................................... 98 12.22 Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Fee ($1/$2 Fee) (PPACA).............................. 101 12.23 Form 8928 Reporting (IRS)............................................................................................ 106 12.24 Health Insurance Exchanges (PPACA).............................................................................. 108 12.25 Employee Notice of Exchange Availability (PPACA) ? October 1, 2013.............................. 109 12.26 Automatic Enrollment (PPACA)....................................................................................... 110 12.27 Employer Shared Responsibility Transition Relief ("Play or Pay") (PPACA)............................ 110

Effective Date Transition Relief For Employers with 50-99 FTEs 12.28 Applicable Large Employer Reporting Requirements (PPACA)............................................. 112 12.29 Waiting Periods and Orientation Periods (PPACA)............................................................ 114

? 2014 Proskauer Rose LLP -- This document has been prepared by Proskauer Rose LLP exclusively for the members of

5

Benefit Advisors Network and is intended to provide general information concerning the subject matter. It should not be considered

specific legal advice. Consult with your regular benefits attorney before utilizing the information contained in this document.

12.30 Out- of-Pocket Limits (PPACA)......................................................................................... 115 13. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)................................................................................. 116

13.1 HSA Enhancements........................................................................................................ 117 14. Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)............................................................. 118 15. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Debit Cards.................................................... 120

15.1 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Debit Cards........................................................... 120 16. Dependent Care Assistance Plans (DCAPs).................................................................. 125

16.1 Change in Status Rules for DCAPs.................................................................................... 122 17. Filing Requirements.................................................................................................... 122

17.1 Form 5500 and Related Schedules................................................................................... 122 17.2 Form 5500 Checklist...................................................................................................... 123 17.3 Form 5500, Schedules and Attachments........................................................................... 124 17.4 Form M1 (MEWAs)......................................................................................................... 125 17.5 Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement)............................................................................... 125 17.6 Electronic Filing Requirement for Plan Years Starting January 1, 2008.................................. 125 17.7 MEWA Statement for All Plans Starting with Form 5500s for 2013 Plan Years....................... 125 18. Fiduciary Responsibilities........................................................................................... 126 18.1 Nondiscrimination Rules.................................................................................................. 126 18.2 Miscellaneous Issues....................................................................................................... 128 19. Right of Recovery / Subrogation................................................................................ 129 20. Wrap Plan Documents................................................................................................ 130 21. Online Access / Governmental Contacts / Benefits Counsel......................................... 130 21.1 State and Federal Government Website Listings................................................................. 130 22. Employer Shared Responsibility (a/k/a the "Play or Pay" Mandate).......................... 132 22.1 Overview...................................................................................................................... 132 22.2 Executive Summary......................................................................................................... 132 22.3 Identifying Those Employers Subject to the Play or Pay Mandate.......................................... 133 22.4 Identifying Employees who are Full-Time under the Play or Pay Mandate............................... 135 22.5 Identifying an Employer's Liability for Shared Responsibility Payments................................... 140 22.6 Next Steps..................................................................................................................... 143 Appendix Detailed Summary Plan Description Checklist for Welfare Benefit Plans......................................... 145

6

1. Health and Welfare Plan Compliance Guide Disclaimer

This Compliance Guide generally describes the legal requirements that apply to health and welfare employee benefit plans and is designed to help you evaluate your plans' compliance with these requirements. Each employer's situation is unique and not all of the requirements described in this Guide may apply to your health and welfare plans. This Guide is not designed to provide comprehensive coverage on any legal issue. There may be other significant compliance issues applicable to your plans that are not covered by this Guide. Always consult with an ERISA attorney for legal advice.

This Compliance Guide is not intended to provide legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with legal counsel to design compliance procedures applicable to your unique situation.

? 2014 Proskauer Rose LLP -- This document has been prepared by Proskauer Rose LLP exclusively for the members of

7

Benefit Advisors Network and is intended to provide general information concerning the subject matter. It should not be considered

specific legal advice. Consult with your regular benefits attorney before utilizing the information contained in this document.

2. PPACA in General, Glossary of Terms & Grandfathered Plans

This Guide has been updated (as of September 1, 2014) to include information about certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (combined "PPACA" or "ACA"). Not all provisions of the ACA are covered by this Guide. Select mandates applicable to employer-sponsored group health plans that are applicable during the first few years following the passage of the ACA are included; many mandates with later effective dates are not addressed. For example, because the "automatic enrollment" mandate under the ACA has been delayed past 2014, and because the federal agencies responsible for drafting rules around this mandate have not, as of the date of the publication of this Guide, begun to consider how these rules will be drafted, only limited information on that mandate is included in this Guide. This Guide is not and should not be viewed as a comprehensive review of the ACA or any other applicable law. NOTE: Special rules may apply to health plans maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. This Guide does not address these rules unless specifically noted.

8

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download