New Year, New Benefits

Welcome to 2023! The new year brings a renewed focus on losing weight, staying healthy, and becoming financially healthier. Across the country, millions of us have set goals of increasing our health and wealth. However, inflation, supply chain issues, continued mental health challenges, and more can make tackling these goals even harder than usual. Financial Health Resolutions Many Americans are examining their spending and saving habits. Fidelity Investment found that when asked about financial concerns,

Home » HRA » Page 3

What is an HRA?

HRA BasicsWhat is an HRA? Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) are tax-advantaged arrangements that reimburse individuals for qualified healthcare costs. HRAs were first acknowledged by the IRS in 2002 as benefits that employers could offer current and former employees, including retirees.  Legislative and regulatory activity has since modified some of the rules about HRAs and created new types, including Group Benefit HRAs, Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs), Qualified Small Employer HRAs (QSEHRAs), and Excepted Benefit HRAs (EBHRAs).FundingEmployers fund HRAs to reimburse

Home » HRA » Page 3

Compliance Priorities for 2023

A new year is upon us, and with it, the end of many temporary, COVID-related regulatory and legislative provisions. Mercer’s U.S. Health Law and Policy team has selected the top healthcare compliance priorities for 2023. Below are highlights of 10 areas considered most likely to impact employee benefits plans. For more context and discussion, see the Mercer site and consult your qualified benefits counsel. Prescription Drugs In light of recent presidential directives, Congress and federal

Home » HRA » Page 3

Health Reimbursement Arrangement Frequently Asked Questions

A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is part of consumer driven healthcare. While HRAs have the same basic legal guidelines as other types of reimbursement accounts, they differ in that they’re funded exclusively by the sponsoring employer. Funding amounts and eligible expenses are unique to each employer.

Home » HRA » Page 3

Employer-Sponsored Debit Cards Make Life Easier

In today’s fast-paced world, debit cards provide an efficient payment method for consumers everywhere. Providers can automatically track purchases, and the cardholder can easily view and manage activity online. Additionally, debit cards are accepted all over the world. For Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), account-linked debit cards can help control costs through more efficient benefits administration. Many TPA clients are savvy employers who incorporate them into their employee benefits offerings. This option allows companies to attract and

Home » HRA » Page 3

Halloween Health and CDH Accounts

Halloween is a favorite time of year for some, from decorations to pumpkin carving to dressing up. However, it can also be a time of pumpkin carving cuts, bumps and bruises, sprains, and even broken bones from tripping over costumes. Let’s talk about staying safe, Halloween health, and your CDH accounts. Some of the reasons why Halloween is so scary Halloween is undoubtedly fun, but dangers are lurking and parents need to be vigilant. Children’s

Home » HRA » Page 3

Inflation Reduction Act May Impact Employer-Sponsored Health Plans

President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law on August 16, 2022. Among other provisions, the IRA: Here’s how the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) expects the IRA to impact employer-sponsored group health plans. ACA Subsidies Extended to 2025 The American Rescue Plan of 2021 (ARPA) expanded access to premium tax credits (PTCs) that subsidize the purchase of health insurance on the ACA marketplace. The IRA extends those subsidies through 2025. According

Home » HRA » Page 3

National Health Information Awards Winner 2022

DataPath’s one-of-a-kind employee education and engagement program, Captain Contributor, earns another national award. LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (August 2, 2022) – DataPath, Inc., a leading developer of technology solutions for employer-sponsored benefits, has been named a National Health Information Awards (NHIA) winner for 2022. This is the company’s third NHIA award and 11th national award overall for creativity and effectiveness in health information delivery. The NHIA recognizes the nation’s best health information programs and materials. DataPath

Home » HRA » Page 3

DataPath Wins 2022 Digital Health Award

DataPath garners 10th national award for employee education and engagement program LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (June 17, 2022) – DataPath, Inc., a leading developer of technology solutions for third party benefits administration, has been selected for a Bronze Award in the 24th annual Digital Health Awards® program. The company was honored for a comic book about Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) that it created for The Adventures of Captain Contributor™ program. This is the 10th award that the Captain Contributor

Home » HRA » Page 3

ICHRAs can help businesses provide big benefits

Attractive benefits plans are essential in today’s labor market. Smaller businesses in particular often struggle to find affordable group health insurance plans that comply with ACA regulations. Take a look at how an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or ICHRA, can help businesses. What is an ICHRA? ICHRAs are an attractive option for both employers and their employees. Under an ICHRA, employers reimburse employees for their individual health insurance premiums instead of sponsoring a group health plan.

Home » HRA » Page 3