On December 13, 2016, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law. Called “the most important bill of the year,” the bipartisan Act…
Milwaukee health rank drops, still compares favorably
The Commonwealth Fund’s 2016 Scorecard on Local Health System Performance is out, and it gives interesting perspective on the state of healthcare in the U.S.…
DOL proposes changes to Form 5500
The U.S. Department of Labor plans to revise Form 5500 to require insurers and health plans to report more information. The proposed changes focus on…
New Provider-Carrier Partnerships Expand Across Wisconsin
The first four months of 2016 have already seen three new partnerships announced between Wisconsin health systems and insurance companies. Looking down the road, it…
ACA Reporting Deadlines Delayed
Yesterday the IRS released Notice 2016-4, which delays the ACA reporting due dates for both furnishing forms to individuals and filing forms with the IRS.…
Spending deal would delay Cadillac Tax
Earlier this month, the Senate approved a bill to repeal many core elements of Obamacare, including the “Cadillac tax” on high cost health plans. At…
PACE Act Passage Elicits Praise and Frustration
Earlier this month, President Obama signed the bipartisan PACE Act to stop the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from changing rules that apply to employers with…
ACA Reporting Forms Released
Last week the IRS published the final versions of the forms and instructions that applicable large employers (ALEs) will need to use to report on…
Big Changes at Assurant
Last week, Assurant, Inc. announced an agreement to sell its employee benefits business to Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, a subsidiary of Sun Life…
Republicans Unveil ACA Alternatives
As the Republican presidential primary race is heating up, the candidates’ plans to repeal and replace Obamacare are receiving increased attention. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker…