The IRS is trying to keep employers in the group health market. The new ruling is somewhat complicated. What a big surprise, huh?
The IRS is saying that the ACA requires that plan sponsors ensure that there are no limits on the mandatory essential health benefits ACA requires, also known as “lifetime maximums.” If a group plan does not guarantee that the insured has all the essential health benefits required by ACA, then the plan is not qualified.
This article seems to be based on a premise that the plan sponsor, in this case, the employer, has no idea what the insured actually has. Therefore, if a benefit is issued, but th member does not have the ACA essential health benefits, then the plan does not qualify and is subject to tax.
But, if the plan sponsor does guarantee that the insured does possess the ACA minimum benefits, then the group sponsor is compliant.
The administration does not want employers simply giving money to employees to pay claims. This will get them further, rather than closer, to achieving their goal that Americans have coverage that will not run out due to lifetime limits.
To read the entire article, read IRS Bars Employers From Dumping Workers Into Health Exchanges.
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