The McCart Group

Email Communication from The McCart Group

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SPECIAL ALERT:
ANTHEM SECURITY BREACH

Dear McCart/EPIC Customers,
We wanted to let you know that Anthem was the target of a sophisticated external cyber-attack. Anthem notified EPIC late last night that these cyber attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem's Information Technology (IT) system and obtained personal information from its current and former members, such as their names, birthdays, member health ID numbers/Social Security numbers, street addresses, email addresses and employment information, including income data. Anthem's investigation to date indicates there is no evidence that banking, financial or medical information, such as claims, test results, or diagnostic codes were targeted or compromised. We expect additional information on the size, scope and implications of the announced breach to develop in the days ahead.

Read more here...

The McCart Group provides regular email communication on new legislation and compliance requirements, best practices and trends, and industry education. Below, you will find a list of these emails featuring our monthly newsletters and client alerts for easy access to the information you need, when you need it.

The McCart Group Newsletters

December 2014 TMG Newsletter (12/22/2014)
The McCart Group is proud to be the Southeast Region hub of EPIC Insurance Brokers. EPIC Ranked #46 Among the World's Top Insurance Brokers (read more) and also Ranked #20 Among Top Large Group Employee Benefits Broker/Consultants this year.
October 2014 TMG Newsletter (10/28/2014)
Employers who sponsor large health plans must obtain at least one Health Plan ID Number (HPID) by November 5, 2014.
August 2014 TMG Newsletter (8/1/2014)
July was a busy month for news regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The IRS released drafts of forms related to the new employer reporting requirements for 2015, the IRS raised the threshold for "affordable coverage" under the employer mandate, and the courts issued conflicting rulings on ACA subsidies.
June 2014 TMG Newsletter (6/3/2014)
New FAQs released by the DOL, HHS, and the IRS, clarify certain requirements in regard to the annual out-of-pocket maximum, coverage for preventive services, health FSA carryover, and summary of benefits and coverage (SBC).
April 2014 TMG Newsletter (4/9/2014)
The IRS has released final regulations regarding employer shared responsibility rules set forth under section 4980(H) of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including several clarifications and amendments, including various transition relief provisions.
February 2014 TMG Newsletter (2/7/2014)
In January of 2014, The McCart Group merged its operations with EPIC (Edgewood Partners Insurance Center) as part of EPIC's exciting national expansion strategy.
December 2013 TMG Newsletter (12/10/2013)
The IRS needs to strengthen the systems development controls for the Premium Tax Credit Project that it undertook to implement the Affordable Care Act, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said.
November 2013 TMG Newsletter (11/12/2013)
The IRS has issued Notice 2013-71 which modified the §125 Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) 'use-or-lose' rule to permit up to $500 of unused HFSA account balance to be carried over to the following plan year.
October 2013 TMG Newsletter (9/26/2013)
The McCart Group has posted three videos on its website to help employees understand changes in healthcare and benefits as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Go to www.mccart.com and click on the Healthcare Reform link on the left side of our home page under Current News and Events.
July/August 2013 TMG Newsletter (8/5/2013)
The delay in the employer mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act gives companies an additional year before they must offer medical coverage to their workers or pay a fine. What does the delay mean for benefits managers?

Client Alerts

FINAL RULES - Employer Shared Responsibility - Client Alert (2/12/2014)
The IRS has released final regulations regarding employer shared responsibility rules set forth under section 4980(H) of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including several clarifications and amendments, including various transition relief provisions.
W-2 Health Insurance Reporting Review - Client Alert (1/3/2014)
It’s that time of year again, and large employers need to remember to include the cost of health insurance in employee W-2s. The ACA requires employers to report the “aggregate cost” of certain types of employer provided health coverage on an employee’s W-2.
IRS Modifies FSA Use-it-or-Lose-it Rule (11/1/2013)
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have decided to permit employers to allow plan participants to carry over up to $500 of their unused health FSA balances without worrying about the infamous "use-it-or-lose-it" rule.
Business Associate Agreement Updates Required (9/23/2013)
In addition to strengthening privacy and security protection for individual health information and modifying the rule for breach notifications, the modifications extend HIPAA compliance obligations to additional entities, which requires updates to Business Associate Agreements.
Employer Shared Responsibility Rules Delayed until 2015 (7/3/2013)
In what is easily the most significant health reform development for employers since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the employer shared responsibility rules (often called the "employer mandate" or "pay or play rules") have been delayed until 2015.
IRS Issues New Form 720 for Reporting ACA Research Fee (6/10/2013)
The IRS has issued a revised Form 720 and corresponding instructions, to allow for the reporting and payment of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) fees contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Final Rules for Wellness Plans Released (6/6/2013)
The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury have issued final wellness program rules, based on the existing HIPAA wellness rules and the requirements contained in proposed rules issued in November 2012.
Department of Labor Releases Model Notice of Exchange (5/14/2013)
The Department of Labor (DOL) has released guidance and model notice language for employers (under Notice to Employees of Coverage Options) to use to meet the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employee exchange notice requirement.
Affordability of Health Coverage/Premium Tax Credit (2/22/2013)
Employees' family members who are eligible to enroll in the employees' group health plan will be ineligible for federal subsidies under the Exchanges if the employees are offered affordable self-only healthcare coverage, according to the IRS's final rule published on 2/1.
DOL Delays the Employer Notice of Exchange Requirement (1/25/2013)
As anticipated, based on prior informal comments, the Department of Labor (DOL) has delayed the employer requirement to send a "Notice of Exchange" to employees.
DOL Expected to Delay the Employer Notice of Exchange Requirement (1/18/2013)
In welcome news for employers, the Department of Labor (DOL) has stated in informal comments that they plan to delay the employer requirement to send a “Notice of Exchange” to employees.
IRS Employer Shared Responsibility Rules (1/7/2013)
The guidance includes proposed regulations published in the Federal Register on Wed. January 2nd, and a series of questions and answers published on the IRS website.
The Election is Over - Where Do We Go From Here? (11/9/2012)
This Issue Brief will provide you with important guidance you can utilize in determining the appropriate course of action for your organization, as it pertains to the Affordable Care Act legislation.
MLR Rebates from Carriers to Employers Now Being Issued (7/11/2012)
Under the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rules, insurers in the large group market (100+ employees) must maintain a loss ratio of no less than 85%, while insurers in the individual and small group markets must maintain a loss ratio of no less than 80%.
The Supreme Court Rules the Affordable Care Act is Constitutional (6/28/2012)
In what may be the most anticipated decision in at least a generation, the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the so called "individual mandate" contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Client Alert - Preparing for the Supreme Court Decision on the ACA (6/13/2012)
... a discussion of how various court decisions will affect employer sponsored group health plans.
Client Alert - No Lawyer Required: Garnishment Rules in Georgia Change Again (2/14/2012)
The rules relating to garnishments in Georgia have changed again. On February 7, 2012, Governor Nathan Deal effectively undid the Georgia Supreme Court's ruling by signing into law HB 683, which permits an "authorized officer or employee" of a business to sign and file a garnishment answer.
Client Alert - Final Summary of Benefits and Coverage Regulations Released (2/9/2012)
The IRS, Department of Labor, and Health and Human Services had previously released proposed regulations in August 2011, which were scheduled to go into effect in March 2012. However, the agencies subsequently delayed the effective date until after the final regulations were released.
Client Alert - IRS Additional Guidance on W-2 Health Insurance Reporting (1/13/2012)
In Notice 2012-9 released January 5th, the IRS clarifies a number of issues addressed in earlier guidance and extends the small employer exemption (for employers filing less than 250 W-2s) from the reporting requirement.
Client Alert - 2012 Changes in W2 Reporting of Employer Health Cost (12/22/2011)
2012 will bring changes in W-2 reporting requirements for some employers - those with more than 250 W-2s must report 2012 health plan premium.
Client Alert - DOL Delays Implementation of SBC Rules (11/21/2011)
In a short statement released on its website on November 17th, the Department of Labor (DOL) provided a welcome delay in the implementation of the new Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) Rules contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Client Alert - HHS Releases Health Insurance Exchange Regulations (7/12/2011)
On Monday July 11, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The first proposed rule outlines a framework to assist states in setting up state-based health insurance exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The second NPRM addresses underwriting standards related to reinsurance, risk corridors, and risk adjustment rules.
Client Alert - Second Federal Judge Rules PPACA Unconstitutional (2/1/2011)
On Monday, January 31, a Federal district judge in Florida ruled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) unconstitutional.
Client Alert - 105(h) Rules for Fully-Insured Plans are Delayed (12/23/2010)
The implementation of Section 105(h) non-discrimination rules contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), as applied to fully-insured plans, has been delayed.
Client Alert - Changing Carriers No Longer Causes Loss of Grandfathered Status (11/16/2010)
According to the new rule, fully insured plans can now change insurance carriers without affecting their grandfathered status.
Client Alert - Medicare Part D Advisory (11/3/2010)
McCart assists clients offering group health plan coverage with a prescription drug benefit in notifying all Medicare participants before November 15 that coverage constitutes 'creditable' (or non-creditable) drug coverage.
Client Alert - EEO-1 and VETS-100 Reports Due 9/30 (9/21/2010)
Don't miss the September 30, 2010 deadline for filing EEO-1 and/or VETS-100 reports
Client Alert - Preventive Care Regulations (7/21/2010)
Non-Grandfathered Plans Must Provide First Dollar Coverage for Preventive Services
Client Alert - Patient's Bill of Rights (Interim Final Regs) (7/9/2010)
IRS, DOL, & HHS Issue Interim Final Regulations on Annual and Lifetime Coverage Limits, Preexisting Condition Exclusions, Coverage Rescission, Emergency Coverage, and Provider Selection
Client Alert - Coverage for Adult Children - DOL Fact Sheet (7/2/2010)
The DOL releases regulations, a fact sheet, and FAQs regarding the Coverage for Adult Children rule in the Affordable Care Act.
Client Alert - Health Plan Grandfathered Status (6/18/2010)
On Monday June 14th the HHS, DOL, and IRS jointly released interim final rules regarding health reform grandfathered plan status.
Client Alert - Tax Treatment of Older Dependent Child Coverage (4/30/2010)
Effective March 30th, 2010, health coverage for any child who does not turn 27 by the end of the tax year is no longer taxable to the employee.
Client Alert - Coverage for Dependents to Age 26 (4/23/2010)
As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, young adults will be able to stay on their parents' employer-offered or individual family health plans up until age 26.
Client Alert - COBRA Subsidy Extended Again (4/20/2010)
April 15th, 2010, The Continuing Extension Act (CEA) of 2010 (H.R.4851) was signed into law. The CEA extends the 65% COBRA subsidy for involuntary termination for an additional two months (through May 31st, 2010).

The McCart Group
2405 Satellite Blvd., Suite 200
Duluth, Georgia 30096

www.mccart.com