Phia Group

May Day: Two States Enact Individual Health Insurance Mandates

On June 11, 2018
Many states have defied the Trump Administration’s repeal of Obamacare, but why? Click here to learn more.

Senate Health Committee Hones in on Mental Health Parity Enforcement

On April 26, 2018
The Senate Health Committee is working hard to strengthen mental health parity in insurance plans. Click here to see the effect on the self-funded industry.

The Phia Group Saves an Employer Thousands of Dollars

On March 30, 2018
Have you received a letter from the IRS saying that you violated employer mandate rules and owe an ESRP penalty? Read here to get all the details.

Freedom Blue II: The ACA’s Unlikely Ally

On March 26, 2018
The Trump Administration recently shut down Idaho’s conservative governor from ignoring the ACA. Read here to know exactly why this happened.

Responding to a IRS Letter 226J: Considerations and Common Mistakes

On March 21, 2018
If you are an applicable large employer, the IRS could possibly be sending a letter. Read more about the 2 types of ESRP penalties that may affect you.

Freedom Blue: Idaho’s Challenge to the ACA Gets Serious

On February 19, 2018
The Department of Insurance (“DOI”) have made announcements in regards to what insurers are able to do in the ACA. Learn more about the details of Governor Butch Otter's executive order that would let health insurers in his state sell new plans to market that did not comply with ACA rules.

Employer Mandate Enforcement: IRS Turning Up The Heat

On February 15, 2018
The Employer Shared Responsibility Provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to serve as a polarizing topic among employers and ACA supporters as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) moves forward with its compliance efforts. If you have 50 or more full-time employees you could be affected.

Your Plan isn’t a Cadillac …Yet

On January 31, 2018
The most notable in the self-funded industry is the ACA’s High Cost Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage Excise Tax (“Cadillac Tax”). The Cadillac Tax was originally set to begin in 2018, but has been delayed again. Find out when your plan will become a Cadillac from The Phia Group.

A Backdoor Employer Mandate? Massachusetts Targets Employers to Shore Up the State’s Medicaid Program

On January 15, 2018
Since 2011, approximately 450,000 people have lost their employer-sponsored insurance in Massachusetts. In the same time period, MassHealth enrollment increased by just over 500,000. The MassHealth program is literally drowning the state in debt, and so last year, Governor Charlie Baked signed H. 3822, which has two major components (beginning in 2018).

NOT SO FAST! Don’t Change Contraceptive Coverage Just Yet

On January 10, 2018
Changing Contraceptive Coverage? You might want to wait. The new rules essentially allow any company that is not publically traded the ability to refuse to cover contraceptives on moral or religious grounds. The process for the exemption is also much more relaxed than the accommodation process.

Sacrificing the Individual Mandate on the Alter of Tax Reform

On December 11, 2017
Want to know more about the glue of Obamacare? Perhaps the single most important piece of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) is its “individual mandate" Learn about how Americans have been required to obtain health insurance coverage that meets the government's definition of "minimum essential coverage" or pay a penalty.

MA Contraceptive Reform Update

On November 13, 2017
Jen McCormick, Esq. reviews the bill the MA House passed ensuring that women retain access to no cost contraceptives.

More Rule Changes?

On October 18, 2017
Kelly Dempsey, Esq. provides an overview of recent rule changes released by federal agencies and the Trump administration affecting the 2018 renewal season.

Trump Administration Birth Control Roll Back

On October 9, 2017
Jen McCormick, Esq. reviews the new HHS regulations allowing more employers to opt out of ACA preventive care contraception requirements.

Another One Bites the Dust

On October 2, 2017
Brady C. Bizarro, Esq. explains the collapse of the Graham-Cassidy repeal bill that would have replaced the Affordable Care Act.