Title: Building Bridges for Success
1Building Bridges for Success CACUBO 2009 Annual
Meeting Managing Costs and Strategies for Health
Care
Christopher S. Sears Ice Miller LLP (317) 236-5891
christopher.sears_at_icemiller.com
2Wellness Programs
3What Laws Are Implicated?
- HIPAA Nondiscrimination
- Internal Revenue Code (taxation of rewards)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- HIPAA (again) Privacy
- Age and Gender Discrimination (ADEA and Title
VII) - Smokers Rights Laws
4HIPAA Nondiscrimination
- HIPAA Non-Discrimination Rules prevent group
health plans from discriminating in premium
contributions or eligibility based on health
status factors - Health status
- Medical condition
- Claims experience
- Receipt of health care
- Medical history
- Genetic information
- Disability
- Examples
- Nicotine addiction
- Body mass index
- Cholesterol levels
5HIPAA Nondiscrimination
- Wellness Programs allow conditioning a reward on
satisfying a standard that is related to a health
factor - Reward can mean
- Discount or rebate of a premium or contribution
- Waiver of all or part of a cost-sharing mechanism
(such as deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance) - Absence of a surcharge
- Can use carrot or stick
6HIPAA Nondiscrimination
- If wellness program does not condition reward on
a health status factor (or does not offer a
reward), then HIPAA wellness rules not applicable
as long as program is available to similarly
situated individuals
- Program that encourages preventative care through
waiver of copayment or deductible for costs of
for example, prenatal care or well-baby visits - Program that reimburses employees for the costs
of smoking cessation programs without requiring
quitting
- Program that reimburses all or part of fitness
center memberships - Diagnostic testing program that provides a reward
for participation and does not base any part of
the reward on outcomes
7HIPAA Nondiscrimination Wellness Programs
- If conditions for obtaining reward under a
wellness program are based on an individual
satisfying a standard that is related to a health
factor, the wellness program must meet five
requirements. - Examples of such programs
- Program reimburses cost of fitness center
membership if a stated weight or BMI is achieved. - Program provides lower premiums for employees who
have a normal cholesterol level. - Program that reimburses for a smoking cessation
class if the employee quits smoking.
8HIPAA Nondiscrimination Wellness Programs
- Reward must not exceed 20 of employee-only cost
of plan - Total cost of individual coverage (not just
employee portion of premium) - If dependents are included in program, then can
be 20 of cost of family coverage
9HIPAA Nondiscrimination Wellness Programs
- Reasonably designed to promote good health or
prevent disease - Program must have a reasonable chance of
improving health or preventing disease - Not overly burdensome
- Not a subterfuge for discriminating based on a
health factor - Not highly suspect in the method chosen to
promote health or prevent disease - Allow qualification at least once per year
10HIPAA Nondiscrimination Wellness Programs
- Available to all similarly-situated individuals
- Must have a reasonable alternative standard (or
waiver of the otherwise applicable standard) for
obtaining the reward for any individual for whom,
for that period, it is unreasonably difficult due
to a medical condition or medically inadvisable
to satisfy the otherwise applicable standard - Plan may seek verification, such as a statement
from an individuals physician, that a health
factor makes it unreasonably difficult or
medically inadvisable to satisfy or attempt to
satisfy the otherwise applicable standard - Alternatives could include waiving the
requirement or following a physicians
recommendation.
11HIPAA Nondiscrimination Wellness Programs
- Plan materials must describe availability of a
reasonable alternative standard - If plan materials merely mention that a program
is available without describing its terms, this
disclosure is not required - Model language If it is unreasonably difficult
due to a medical condition for you to achieve the
standards for the reward under this program, or
if it is medically inadvisable for you to attempt
to achieve the standards for the reward under
this program, call us at insert telephone
number and we will work with you to develop
another way to qualify for the reward.
12Tax Issues
- Value of rewards must be included in employees
income unless an exception exists
- Taxable rewards
- Cash
- Gift cards
- Movie or other entertainment ticket
- Airline points
- Tax-free rewards
- Cafeteria plan flex credits
- Contributions to an FSA, HRA, or HSA
- Premium discounts
- Reductions in deductibles
13Americans With Disabilities Act
- Americans With Disabilities Act
- Limits post-employment medical examinations and
inquiries unless job-related and consistent with
business necessity - Information must be kept in a separate file and
must be treated as confidential (remember HIPAA,
too!) - May conduct voluntary medical examinations (not
required to participate and not penalized for not
participating) - Mandatory exams to enroll in health plan?
- Little formal EEOC guidance Compliance with
Wellness Rules good enough? - EEOC March 6, 2009 Informal Discussion Letter
says enrollment conditioned on taking health risk
assessment is NOT voluntary
14HIPAA Privacy
- Beware of HIPAA Privacy
- Make wellness programs part of group health plan
- Can use protected health information for
treatment, payment, and health care operations - Do not use PHI for employment related decisions
- Use PHI only as minimally necessary in connection
with wellness program and group health plan - Consider using a vendor that will only provide
aggregated information to the employer.
15Age Gender Discrimination
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Prohibits discrimination against individuals who
are age 40 or over - Wellness program standards should take into
consideration limits that someone who is older
may face - Title VII
- Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, or national origin - Potential gender discrimination claim could arise
if a health standard targets weight, as opposed
to body mass index (which factors into account
that women generally carry greater percentages of
body fat than men)
16Smokers Rights Laws
- Beware of Indianas Smokers Rights law
(Indiana Code 22-5-4-1) - Prevents employers from discriminating with
respect to an employees compensation and
benefits and terms and conditions of employment
because of employees use of tobacco products
outside the employees or prospective employees
employment - Effective July 1, 2006, new exception to allow
employer to provide financial incentives - Intended to reduce tobacco use and
- Related to employee health benefits provided by
the employer - Whole law preempted by ERISA?
17Onsite Health Clinics
18The Next Layer Onsite Clinics
- More employers offering onsite health clinics
- 23 of surveyed employers with more than 1,000
employees reported offering onsite medical
services in 2007 - Staffed by physician, nurse practitioners, and
health advocates - Employees can visit on breaks or before/after
work for minor illnesses and wellness benefits - Increases time with health care providers
- Routine visits can lead to discovery and
treatment of more serious problems.
19The Next Layer Onsite Clinics
- Clinics can provide more than basic care
- Wellness screenings
- Tobacco cessation programs
- Personalized health coaching
- Lunchtime seminars on health topics such as
diabetes management or stress reduction - Standing appointments to have glucose or BP
checks - May be considered by employers with at least 500
to 1,000 employees that are self-funded
20The Next Layer Onsite Clinics
- Can reduce health plans costs and absenteeism
- Reports of 3-to-1 return on investment
- Legal issues
- Privacy of health information
- Staffing
- Employ health care providers
- Contract with outside vendor
- Malpractice, licensure, and credentialing issues
- Supervision of non-physicians
- Indemnification
21HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
22HRA Overview
- What are Health Reimbursement Arrangements?
- Employer agrees to reimburse participants for
specified medical expenses up to a stated amount
per year and (usually) to let unused amounts
accumulate from year to year. - The value of the employer-provided medical
coverage and the reimbursements are excluded from
the employees gross income and deductible to the
employer. - First formally approved by the IRS in July of
2002 (Notice 2002-45 and Rev.Rul. 2002-41).
23HRA Overview
- Employer contributions only (can be funded or
unfunded) - Used to reimburse qualified medical expenses /or
insurance premiums - May be rolled over into next taxable year
- Must substantiate expenses before reimbursement
24Who is Eligible to Participate?
- Current and former employees
- No self-employed individuals
- Excludes sole proprietors, partners, 2 or more
shareholders in a sub-S corporation - Excludes independent contractors
- Excludes non-employee directors
25Who is Eligible to Participate?
- Retirees Along with actives or retiree-only.
(Notice 2005-24 and PLR 200452013). - For plan years beginning after 12/31/05, employer
may base HRA contribution for retiring employees
on the value of unused sick time or vacation
leave, if - Those contributions are automatic and mandatory,
- The retiree has no choice to receive the amounts
in cash, and - The entire amount of unused time goes to the HRA.
26Whose Expensesare Eligible for Reimbursement?
- Participants
- Spouses
- Tax dependents under IRC 152
27Who Makes Contributions?
- All contributions MUST be made by the employer.
- There is no limit on contributions.
- May be monthly, quarterly, or annually.
- There is no requirement that the full annual
amount be available for a participants use on
the first day of the plan year. - Plan design is flexible.
28What is the Coverage Period?
- The employer may choose the coverage period.
- To be reimbursable, the expense must be incurred
during the coverage period. - Wont cover expenses incurred before the HRA took
effect - Wont cover expenses incurred before
participation - The expense may be reimbursed after the coverage
period and after employment terminates, if the
plan permits.
29Can You CarryoverUnused Amounts at Year End?
- An HRA is permitted to allow for the carryover of
unused expenses. - Carryover is not required but is permitted.
- It is permissible to set a cap on the amount that
may be carried over. - It is also permissible to limit the carryover
feature to active employees.
30Spend-Down
- Employer may allow terminated employees to
- Continue to receive reimbursements until the
account is depleted, or - Forfeit unused amounts at termination.
- Unused amounts may not be paid in cash to
participants. - Can revert to employer, or
- Be allocated among other participants.
- Employers may offer the spend-down to certain
classes of participants (i.e. retirees).
31What Expenses Are Eligible?
- Medical care under IRC Section 213(d)
- Including over-the-counter drugs
- Some weight loss items if diagnosis is present
- Some cosmetic procedures
- Health insurance premiums
- Medicare premiums
- Premiums for long-term care
- Consult IRS Publication 502 (www.irs.gov/formsandp
ublications)
32What Substantiation is Required?
- Medical claims
- Written statement from 3rd party of expense
incurred - Written statement that no other reimbursement is
available - Insurance premiums
- Proof of amount of premium
- Proof that premium was paid and date of payment
- Proof that policy is in effect
33Reimbursement of OTCs
- Rev. Rul. 2003-102 allows HRA to reimburse for
OTCs - proper reimbursable items (e.g. pain relievers)
vs. non-reimbursable items (e.g. vitamins) - But for a medical condition would the
participant purchase the item? medical care vs.
general health
34Substantiation for OTCs
- Require detailed receipts (including name of item
purchased, date and purchase price) and
certifications. - Informal IRS Guidance requires third-party
substantiation (if detailed receipt not
available, must submit OTC drug label with
purchase price attached).
35Can You Use Debit Cards With an HRA?
- Rev.Rul. 2003-43 permits use of debit cards with
HRAs. - Substantiation of expense
- Procedures to collect improper reimbursements
- Substantiation requirements
- When issued, employee certifies use will be
limited to medical expenses that are not
otherwise reimbursable - Certification printed on card and reaffirmed
- Employee agrees to maintain records to support
claims
36Substantiation with Debit Cards
- Automatic Approvals
- Co-Payments
- Recurring Expenses
- Real-Time Substantiation
- Conditional Approvals
- Employees Must Submit Bills, EOBs, Etc., About
- Service or Product
- Date of Service or Sale
- Amount
- Card Only Valid At Specified Merchants/ Providers
37Substantiation with Debit Cards
- Improper Reimbursements
- Employee Pays it Back
- Withhold From Wages (If State Law Allows)
- Offset With Future Reimbursements
- Deny Access to Card For Future Reimbursements
- Treat Like Any Other Business Debt
- Card Cancelled When Employee No Longer in Plan
38What if HRA Pays for Ineligible Expenses?
- Plan disqualified for all payments for all years.
- All amounts distributed from the entire HRA plan
become includible in employees taxable income. - Subject to both income and employment taxes
- Applies to reimbursements of qualified medical
expenses as well - Also, cannot structure another benefit by
calculating it based upon an HRA forfeiture. - See Notice 2005-24
39What are theNon-Discrimination Requirements?
- IRC 105(h) Plan cannot favor HCEs with respect
to eligibility or benefits - HCEs include the 5 highest-paid officers, a 10
shareholder, or one of the highest 25 of
employees - Plan is nondiscriminatory if
- it benefits 70 or more of all employees
- 80 or more of all employees who are eligible
actually benefit, and - 70 of all employees are eligible, or the
eligible employee class, is determined to be
non-discriminatory
40What are the Non-Discrimination Provisions?
- Benefits provided for HCEs must be provided for
all other participants. - If the plan fails, benefits provided to HCEs are
taxable.
41Are There Limitson the Employers Deduction?
- An employer may deduct amounts contributed to an
HRA, subject to limits in IRC 419A. - If unfunded employer is accruing unfunded
liability that will appear on balance sheet.
42Does COBRA Apply?
- Yes, because HRAs are group health plans.
- Unclear who is eligible or who would elect.
- Premium calculation is unclear.
- It is permissible to charge the same premium,
regardless of the employees account balance. - Also permissible to bundle with group health
plan if offered as a combined benefit for actives.
43Does ERISA Apply?
- Yes, HRAs are group health plans (exceptions
governmental entities and church plans) - You must have a written plan document.
- You must provide SPDs and SMMs to participants.
- The ERISA claims rules apply.
- You must file a form 5500 if there are more than
100 participants. - You are subject to ERISAs fiduciary duties in
your administration of an HRA.
44What Reports Must an HRA File?
- Form 5500 Annual Report
- If the HRA has 100 or more participants, and
- If the plan is subject to ERISA
- Due by the last day of the 7th month after the
end of the plan year. - No 1099 required.
45Does HIPAA Apply?
- It appears that HIPAA would apply.
- Portability Unclear how special enrollment,
creditable coverage, and nondiscrimination rules
would apply. - Privacy HRA must protect PHI in claims
substantiation information. HRA administrator is
BAA. All administrative requirements, including
requirement for written policies, NPP, and
Privacy Officer would apply. - Security Would apply to the extent any PHI is
maintained electronically.
46How Does anHRA Impact HSA Participation?
- Participation in an HRA will disqualify the
individual from participating in an HSA unless
the HRA - Limits coverage, such as to dental and vision
- Reimburses expenses only if excess of the high
deductible (other than preventative care) - Limits eligibility to non-participants in HSA
- Does not reimburse participants until retirement
or - Suspends reimbursement while HSA contributions
are being made (except for permitted insurance
and preventative care)
47What Notices Must an HRA Send?
- SPD/SMM
- COBRA
- WHCRA
- NPP
- MEDICARE D Creditable Coverage
48Similarities Between HRAs and FSAs
- No trust required
- Self-employed, partners, and 2 s-corp
shareholders are ineligible - No maximum contributions
- Affect HSA eligibility
- Substantiation of expenses is required
- Can stand alone or accompany a health plan
- Contributions are not subject to FICA or FIT
49Differences Between HRAs and FSAs
- Employer owns HRA -- not portable
- Only employer may contribute to HRA
- HRA does not mandate a 12-month coverage period
- HRA amounts may be carried over
- HRAs are not required to give participants access
to full amount of annual contribution - Retirees may receive HRA contributions
- There are no mid-year election change limits for
HRAs
50Coordinating HRAs and FSAs
- Typically, the HRA will reimburse first, then any
unreimbursed amount may be reimbursed by the FSA. - If the HRA plan specifies that the HRA will pay
last, then the FSA may reimburse first. - Alternatively, the HRA may cover a limited type
of expenses (e.g. dental and vision) while the
FSA covers other benefits (e.g. medical
deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays).
51Should You Consider an HRA?
- Cost control Does the HRA provide an incentive
for employees to control health care spending? - Not portable
- Not interest bearing
- But carry-over eliminates year-end rush for
non-essentials - Popularity Is this a competitive benefit?
52Health Savings Accounts
53HSA Overview
- The Medicare Prescription Drug Act was signed
into law on December 8, 2003 - This law added new Section 223 to the Internal
Revenue Code to create and govern Health Savings
Accounts (HSAs) - Amended Internal Revenue Code Section 106 to
allow for exclusion of amounts contributed to
HSAs by an employer from employee income
54What is an HSA?
- An IRA-like account used to pay for qualified
medical expenses - Has unique tax featurescontributions are
tax-deductible going in, and tax free upon
withdrawal if used for qualified medical
expenses. - Must be coupled with a high deductible health
plan (HDHP) - Must be established with a qualified HSA trustee
(such as an insurance company, bank, or other
person or entity approved by the IRS to be a
trustee or custodian)
55Why did Congressand the President Adopt HSAs?
- The government hopes that HSAs will
- Increase personal control over health care
dollars - Increase private ownership of health insurance
policies. (This will shift the currently
dominant employer-offered insurance model so it
will resemble how we purchase car insurance.) - Decrease the number of uninsured Americans
- Ownership Society People will be more careful
about their health care dollars if they own the
money and could profit from prudent decisions.
56How Can HSAs Foster an Ownership Society?
- PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY HSA holders will take
time to become more savvy consumers. - FREEDOM TO CHOOSE Structure will allow
consumers to choose ones own doctor and health
insurance policy. - COMPETITION BETWEEN PROVIDERS Individual
ownership will make markets more competitive.
Doctors and insurance companies must work harder
to earn business.
57Are HSAs a Silver Bullet that will Cure the
Broken Health Care System?
- No, HSAs are an alternative option, not a
replacement to other health care options such as
conventional employer-sponsored insurance
programs or Medicare/Medicaid. - Potential negative impacts during a transition to
HSAs - Employers could reap the cost savings from
offering only HDHPs, and not pass any of the
savings on to employees. - This interim period could leave sick, lower-paid
employees vulnerable if they do not have the
means to pay the high deductible - The oldest and sickest consumers (those who are
responsible for most health care costs) can not
effectively shop for health care. - Availability of consumer data to compare
providers and services is currently very poor
58Who is Eligible to Establish an HSA?
- Eligibility status is determined on a
month-by-month basis - Any individual who as of the first day of the
month - Is covered under a high-deductible health plan
(HDHP) - Is not covered under any other health plan
(whether as an individual, spouse, or dependent)
that is not an HDHP and that provides for any
benefit covered by the HDHP - Is not entitled (eligible and enrolled) to
benefits under Medicare - May not be claimed as a dependent
- Do not need to be an employee can set up as an
individual
59What is a High-deductible Health Plan?
- Deductible limits (indexed to increase with
inflation) - At least 1,200 for single coverage (for 2010)
- At least 2,400 for family coverage (for 2010)
- Pay attention to embedded deductibles
60What is a High-deductible Health Plan?
- Deductible limits do not apply for preventative
care (see IRS Notice 2004-23) - Periodic health evaluations
- Routine prenatal and well-child care
- Child adult immunizations
- Tobacco cessation programs
- Obesity weight-loss programs
- Screening services
- Treatment that is ancillary to preventative care
(e.g., removing polyps during a routine
colonoscopy) - Preventative care drugs
- Someone with risk factors, but asymptomatic
(e.g., treatment of high cholesterol with statins
to prevent heart disease) - To prevent the reoccurrence of a disease from
which a person has recovered (e.g., treatment of
recovered heart attach or stroke victims with ACE
inhibitors to prevent a reoccurrence)
61What is a High-deductible Health Plan?
- Out-of-pocket expense limits (includes
deductibles co-pays, but not premiums) - No more than 5,950 for single coverage (for
2010) - No more than 11,900 for family coverage (for
2010) - Both can be higher for out-of-network services
- Can be a self-insured employer plan
62What Non-HDHP Coverages are Allowed?
- Coverage for accidents, disability, dental care,
vision care, or long term care - HRA or FSA coverage would be impermissible
non-HDHP coverage if it can be used on a
first-dollar basis to cover medical expenses
generally - Limited Purpose FSA/HRA
- Post Deductible FSA/HRA
- Suspended HRA
- Retirement HRA
- Cafeteria Plan Grace Period An employee covered
under a health FSA grace period that lasts into
the next calendar year cannot participate in an
HSA until the first of the next month after the
grace period ends (unless limited purpose FSA)
63What Non-HDHP Coverages are Allowed?
- Permitted insurance
- Guidance indicates that separate drug plans that
are not subject to the high deductible are not
allowed without losing HDHP status. - Workers compensation, tort liabilities,
liabilities relating to ownership or use of
property, insurance for specified diseases, per
diem hospitalization insurance - Discount cards are allowed
64How are HSAs Funded?
- Contributions must be in cash
- Contributions can only be made for those months
that a person is an eligible individual - Contributions are fully vested and portable
- Once made, employer contributions cannot be
forfeited the account belongs to the employee
without condition
65How are HSAs Funded?
- Contributions by an eligible individual
- Through an employer-sponsored cafeteria plan
- Through after-tax contributions made directly to
the HSA - Rollover contributions from an Archer MSA or
another HSA
66How are HSAs Funded?
- Contributions by an employer of an eligible
individual - Employers must make comparable contributions to
comparable participating employees or face a 35
excise tax on all HSA contributions for the
testing period (measure on a calendar year) - Does not apply to contributions made through a
cafeteria plan (pre-tax salary deferrals) - Can differentiate between single and family
coverage - Can differentiate between tiers of family
coverage (e.g., employee spouse, employee
spouse 1 child, etc.) - Can differentiate between current full-time
employees, current part-time employees, and
former employees - Can differentiate between union and non-union and
between different sets of union employees
67How are HSAs Funded?
- Contributions by an employer of an eligible
individual (Cond) - Can differentiate between employees who take
employers HDHP and those who do not - Can integrate contributions with wellness
programs - Contributions are comparable if, for each month
in a calendar year, the contributions are either - The same amount or
- The same percentage of the deductible under the
HDHP - Can differentiate as noted above, but
contributions with respect to self2 may not be
less than contribution for self1 and
contribution for self3 cannot be less than
contribution for self2 - Contributions may be made on a pay-as-you-go
method (e.g., per payroll) or on a look-back
method (e.g., a the end of the year) - Matching contributions will not meet the
comparability requirements unless done through a
cafeteria plan
68What are Contribution Limits for HSAs?
- Maximum monthly amount is 1/12 of the annual
contribution limit for HSAs - Annual limits (no limits for rollovers)
- For single coverage, 3,050 (for 2010)
- For family coverage, 6,150 (for 2010)
- Additional catch-up contributions for eligible
individual age 55 to 65 (1,000 in 2010) - Limits apply to all contributions regardless of
source
69What are Contribution Limits for HSAs?
- Special rules for married people
- If either spouse has family coverage, both are
treated as having it - If each has family coverage, then contribution
limit is based on lower deductible of the two and
limit is split between the spouses, unless they
agree otherwise - Both spouses can make the catch-up contributions
- Excess contributions are taxable plus 6 penalty
tax if not distributed by tax deadline - If returned, then only earnings on excess are
taxed (with no penalty tax)
70What are the Tax Effects for Contributions?
- Contributions for a taxable year may be made
during the year up to tax filing deadline and
appreciate tax-free while in the HSA - Pre-funding issues
- Wait-and-see approach
- Contributions are deductible by the eligible
individual in determining gross income
(above-the-line deduction) - Employer contributions are deductible by
employer excludable from employees income not
subject to withholding for FICA, FUTA, and RRA
71What Rules Apply to Distributions?
- Distributions may be taken any time (even if not
currently an eligible individual) - Distributions for qualified medical expenses of
eligible individual, spouse, and dependents are
excludible from income - Distributions for any other purpose are subject
to regular tax plus a 10 penalty tax - Distributions made after death, disability, or
attaining age 65 are not subject to 10 penalty
tax - Employers not required to substantiate expenses
72What are Qualified Medical Expenses?
- Medical expenses defined in IRC Section 213(d)
- Many out-of-pocket medical care costs
- Prescription drug costs and over-the-counter
drugs - Consult IRS Publication 502
- Certain insurance premiums
- Long-term care insurance
- COBRA premiums
- Health insurance while on unemployment
- Over age 65 also any health insurance other
than a Medicare supplemental policy
73How Can Accounts be Transferred?
- Upon divorce
- Spouse can become account holder
- Transfer is not a taxable event
- After death
- If spouse is HSA death beneficiary, then spouse
becomes account beneficiary, and death is not a
taxable event - If death beneficiary is non-spouse, HSA no longer
exists and beneficiary gets taxed on HSAs fair
market value
74Other Miscellaneous Issues
- HSAs are not generally ERISA plans
- BUT, underlying HDHP is likely an ERISA plan
- HSAs are not subject to COBRA
- HSAs are not considered when conducting Medicare
Part D creditable coverage analyses
75Eligibility
76Funding
77Expense Flexibility
78Portability
79Annual Rollovers
80Contribution Limits
81Tax Effects
82Death and Divorce
83Thank you.
Christopher S. Sears Ice Miller LLP (317) 236-5891
christopher.sears_at_icemiller.com