In the latest episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle shared key compliance updates, including the upcoming April Supreme Court ruling on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF) authority over preventive care recommendations, the San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) annual reporting deadline on May 2, 2025, and President Trump’s recent Executive Order aimed at lowering drug costs. Michelle also highlighted the upcoming Fisher Phillips webinar on April 30, 2025, covering the latest in labor and employment law.

Michelle addressed several listener questions, such as whether beneficiaries are taxed if an employer fails to impute income on excess group term life insurance, the requirement to issue a Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) after a plan and carrier change on January 1, 2025, and if fully insured group health plans must conduct a Non-Quantitative Treatment Limitation (NQTL) analysis for Mental Health Parity compliance.

She also discussed the rise in class action lawsuits against employer wellness programs related to tobacco surcharges and reminded listeners about the BCBS Provider Settlement Fund claims deadline of July 29, 2025.

 Are you curious about a compliance issue? Please submit your questions to [email protected], and Michelle will answer them in the next episode. 

In the latest episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle provided crucial updates, including the upcoming April Supreme Court ruling regarding the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's (USPTF) authority on preventative care recommendations, the San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) annual reporting deadline of May 2, 2025, and the CMS 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule.

Michelle also addressed listener questions, such as the legality of adding an international prescription drug sourcing program to a self-funded medical plan, the necessity of issuing a Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) after a plan and carrier change on January 1, 2025, and whether a fully insured group health plan needs to conduct a Non-Quantitative Treatment Limitation (NQTL) analysis for MHPAEA compliance.

Are you curious about a compliance issue? Please submit your questions to [email protected], and Michelle will answer them in the next episode.

On this episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle provides crucial updates on paid sick leave laws in Missouri and Michigan, discusses an alternative method for distributing ACA 1095-C forms, and gives an update on the BCBSA class action lawsuit for plans and subscribers. 

Michelle tackles listener questions, including whether intranet posting of 1095-C notices is acceptable, and clarifies the ALE status for controlled groups with multiple entities and tax IDs.

Are you curious about a compliance issue? Submit your questions to [email protected], and Michelle will answer them in the next episode. 

On this episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle offers important updates for employers, including IRS guidance for states with mandatory paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs, reporting requirements for Paid Leave Oregon's Equivalent Plan, and changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting.

Michelle answers specific questions from listeners, such as whether a 1095-C is required for a full-time employee who started after December 1st, and whether an employer can extend the election period for employee benefits beyond the internal open enrollment deadline. 

Are you curious about a compliance issue? Submit your questions to [email protected], and Michelle will answer them in the next episode. 

On this episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle offers important updates on the expansion of paid sick leave to three more states, HIRD reporting requirements, and a federal court's decision overturning the DOL's exempt salary rule.

Michelle addresses questions about whether employers can charge lower-wage employees less for health insurance than higher-wage employees. She also discusses whether employers can extend open enrollment deadlines for individual employees.

Curious about a compliance issue? Submit your questions to [email protected] and Michelle will answer them on the next episode. 

On this episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle offers important updates on health FSA contribution limits and the expanded HSA-qualified preventative care list. 

Michelle answers questions about employer requirements for health insurance contributions and the compliance implications of posting Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) documents on your intranet and document portal.

Curious about a compliance issue? Submit your questions to [email protected] and Michelle will answer them on the next episode. 

On this episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle is joined by KC Rippstein, Employee Benefits Compliance Practice Lead at IMA. They provided updates on hospital indemnity notices, Medicare Part D notices, and the projected 2025 FSA limit.

Michelle answers questions about exempt status of licensed childcare teachers, non-discrimination testing for employee benefits, and disability and paid family leave for remote out-of-state employees.

Curious about a compliance issue? Submit your questions to [email protected] and Michelle will answer them on the next episode. 

On this episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle is joined by KC Rippstein, Employee Benefits Compliance Practice Lead at IMA. They provided updates on the projected 2025 FSA limits, the I-9 form extension, and MLR rebates.

Michelle answers questions about staying compliant with benefits laws and whether employers can have different contributions for different employee groups.

Curious about a compliance issue? Submit your questions to [email protected] and Michelle will answer them on the next episode.

On this episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle covers several health insurance topics such as PCORI fees, Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and offers guidance on what to do if your organization's health plan experiences a data breach.

Michelle answered questions regarding eligibility for health spending accounts under COBRA continuation, stand-alone HRAs for employees on spouse's plan, and employer reimbursement for individual plans.

Curious about a compliance issue? Submit your questions to [email protected]and Michelle will answer them on the next episode.

On this episode of Ask Michelle, Michelle is joined by KC Rippstein, Employee Benefits Compliance Practice Lead at IMA. They provided updates on California's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP), EEOC's final rule on pregnancy accommodations, and the FTC's recent noncompete ban.

Michelle answered questions regarding the WVPP training requirement for employers with remote employees, the RxDC employer survey, and if employees can keep contributing money towards their health spending account (FSA) even if they are on leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Curious about a compliance issue? Submit your questions to [email protected] and Michelle will answer them on the next episode