The IRS, Department of Labor, and other federal agencies released an update on COBRA extensions and claims filing due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This latest guidance comes after Congress passed the CARES Act in late March and other initiatives to ease the economic pain on American workers and companies. The final notice, published April 29, … More >>
A common question for many people, particularly during a layoff or furlough, is whether or not they are eligible for COBRA benefits. Learn more about the difference between a furlough and a layoff, COBRA eligibility, qualified events, and the cost of continuing coverage. Furlough vs Layoff A furlough is temporary, with a specific end date, … More >>
Along with the many stimulus provisions provided for in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the legislation also addressed many healthcare needs for Americans. The bill, signed on March 27, 2020, broadened the list of eligible healthcare expenses, expanded telehealth coverages for high deductible plans, and more. Nearly a month later, … More >>
John Robbins, Jr., DataPath President and CEO, shares his thoughts on DataPath’s commitment to customer support and the client experience What does customer support mean to DataPath? When I think about customer support, it means going beyond the software solution. Yes, we are a solutions developer. But we are more than that. We could just … More >>
In recent weeks, Congress and the IRS have acted to provide relief to Americans due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) health emergency. With the passage of the CARES Act, updates to HDHPs, HSAs and other measures, businesses, workers and third party administrators have a lot of questions about these changes. See the list below for answers … More >>
On Friday, March 27, 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act (H.R. 748) and the President signed it into law. The $2 trillion bill is designed to provide economic relief for American citizens and business due to the COVID-19 healthcare emergency that has greatly impacted the U.S. economy. In addition to the stimulus checks and unemployment … More >>
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Congress and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have taken some key steps to ease specific concerns about taxes and healthcare benefits. Learn more about the 2020 tax deadline extension, HSA contribution extension, and HDHP updates for coronavirus treatments. 2020 Tax Deadline Extended by 3 Months The IRS … More >>
New DataPath whitepaper examines how third party administrators can spur HSA adoption and remedy the financial fears of employees LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (March 10, 2020) – DataPath, Inc., a leading technology solutions provider for consumer directed healthcare benefits administration, has published a whitepaper titled, “How to Spur HSA Adoption and Ease the Financial Worries of … More >>
On Friday, March 20, the Treasury Secretary announced the 2020 tax filing deadline was extended from April 15 to July 15. It’s everyone’s “favorite” time of the year – tax season! If you’re wondering how to handle your HSA expenses at tax time, we’ve got the information you need about taxes, HSA tax forms, and … More >>
Benefits brokers and consultants are in prime position to help their clients reshape and take a proactive approach to employee benefits. Historically, employee benefits strategies have focused on traditional healthcare and retirement offerings, but today’s employees expect a broader and more flexible benefits package.
Mental health currently represents one of the biggest healthcare challenges in the U.S. It is estimated that: One out of every five adults in the U.S. experiences a mental illness at some point in their lives Nearly 10 million adults live with a serious mental illness One-half of all chronic mental illnesses begin by the … More >>
The federal government recognizes the strain of healthcare costs on Americans. To help ease this burden they created tools like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which allow healthcare consumers on high deductible health plans to set aside tax-free money to pay for medical expenses. But, as with any tax-advantaged financial tool, there is a limit on … More >>
What is PCORI? Learn more about the research institute that seeks to improve patient outcomes. Two of the biggest drivers of escalating healthcare costs are the lack of knowledge about the cost of medical services and the low levels of engagement from patients in their healthcare decisions. Thanks to healthcare consumerism, this is starting to … More >>
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) are employer-sponsored benefit plans that allow employees to withdraw tax-free money to pay for qualified medical expenses. Unlike other types of employer-sponsored healthcare benefits, the employer owns the HRA and completely funds it; employees do not make contributions. If your employer offers an HRA, here are some important things to know about the accounts.
From an administrative standpoint, COBRA can be one of the more complex aspects of offering healthcare benefits. Complying with all the COBRA regulations is a time-consuming and often confusing task. Furthermore, businesses that fail to comply with COBRA requirements put themselves at risk of legal issues and financial penalties. Learn more about the importance of … More >>