Understanding the HSA Withdrawal Penalty and Other Useful Information

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a wonderful tool for saving money on healthcare expenses. When you enroll in a qualified high deductible health plan and sign up for an HSA, you contribute pre-tax money into an account then withdraw those funds for qualified healthcare expenses. When used for qualified expenses, withdrawals are tax-free. However, many HSA owners wonder if the money can be used for non-qualified expenses. If so, is there an HSA withdrawal penalty?

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FSA Mid-Year Elections, Grace Periods, Carryover and More: IRS COVID-19 Guidance

In May 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published COVID-19 guidance for employer-sponsored healthcare benefits. Drafted to address unanticipated changes in medical and childcare costs due to the COVID-19 emergency, the two Notices – Notice 2020-29 and 2020-33 – relax mid-year election changes for health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Dependent Care Assistance Programs (DCAPs). They also provide more flexibility in grace periods for both types of accounts and increase the maximum annual carryover amount

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Whitepaper: Addressing Education Gaps is Key to TPA Growth

Consumers have more choice than ever when it comes to healthcare benefits. However, research suggests they are not using those benefits as effectively as they could due to knowledge gaps. For TPAs, understanding where those gaps exist and providing solutions to address them is key to client satisfaction and business growth.

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COVID-19 Claims Run Out Extension for FSA and HRA Plans

On April 29, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL), and other federal agencies published a final notice providing COVID-19 relief guidance on COBRA extensions. The notice also extended run out periods for health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plans. Learn more about the COVID-19 claims run out extension and what it means for third party administrators, employers and participants. COVID-19 Claims Run Out Extension The final notice, now available

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COVID-19 COBRA Extensions and Claims Filing Update

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL), and other federal agencies released an update on COBRA extensions and claims filing due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This latest guidance came after Congress passed the CARES Act in late March 2020, along with other initiatives to ease the economic effect on American workers and companies. The final notice, published April 29, 2020, recognized that “participants and beneficiaries covered by group health plans, disability or other employee

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FFCRA Expiration, “Path Out of the Pandemic” and Healthcare Benefits FAQs

With the recent expiration of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), the Biden Administration is implementing a new plan called the “Path Out of the Pandemic.” This includes a number of proposed initiatives to help move the country along a path toward recovery. Some of the action items that will apply to employers and employees are discussed here. COVID-19 Updates For Employers While many Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (approximately 58% as of

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Cadillac Tax Repealed, PCORI Extended Under New Spending Bill

The controversial Cadillac Tax has been permanently repealed. In December 2019, President Trump signed into law an appropriations bill for 2020 that, among other things, repealed the Cadillac Tax and extended PCORI. The Cadillac Tax, which had never gone into effect, was unpopular with both major parties, labor unions, and benefits organizations. Bipartisan support After several years of delays, the move to repeal the unpopular tax began in July 2019, with the “Middle Class Health

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TPA Growth is Linked to Addressing Gaps in Benefits Education – New DataPath Whitepaper

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (December 12, 2019) – DataPath, Inc., a leading developer of technology solutions for employer-sponsored benefits administration, announced today the release of a whitepaper titled, “Addressing Education Gaps is Key to TPA Growth.” In the whitepaper, DataPath summarizes findings from a survey they conducted in August 2019 that focuses on employees and their benefits knowledge. The technology firm also offers helpful suggestions for employers and third party administrators to fill the benefits education

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DataPath Article on Transparency in Healthcare Featured on FierceHealthcare

Industry Voices – Trump’s ‘shoppable’ prices order could bring significant overhaul Oct 11, 2019 By Thomas O’Banion Originally Posted on FierceHealthcare Most people wouldn’t think of buying an expensive item, such as a car or house, without performing extensive research and price comparisons. Yet, when it comes to healthcare services, comparison shopping has historically been nonexistent. However, with the recent signing of an executive order by the president, increased transparency in healthcare and a move toward healthcare consumerism could

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