IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER


Wednesday, November 04, 2009

The following provides insurance agents/brokers, employers and benefits professionals a checklist of key upcoming dates and deadlines related to health benefits. This does not constitute all of the deadlines applicable to employers and some deadlines may be different based on variations in plan year or plan design.

 
Medicare Part D Notice of Creditable Coverage. All employers who sponsor a group health plan with prescription drug coverage must send a Notice of Creditable Coverage or Non-Creditable coverage to all of its Medicare Part D-eligible participants. November 14, 2009
Medicare Part D Annual Enrollment Period Begins. Those enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan may change their enrollment, and others may enroll for the first time. Period ends on December 31. November 15, 2009
Grace Period Amendment Deadline. If an employer wants to implement a grace period of up to 2-1/2 months for its Health Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) or Dependent Care FSA, it must do so before the end of its current plan year. December 31, 2009
(for calendar-year plan years)
New Thresholds Take Effect. 

New benefits-related thresholds for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs), Nondiscrimination Testing and Transportation Plans take effect:

HSAs/HDHPs

·         Annual HSA Contribution Levels

o   Self-only HDHP coverage: $3,000 (2009), $3,050 (2010)

o   Family HDHP coverage:  $5,950 (2009), $6,150 (2010)

o   Age 55 catch-up contributions:  $1,000 (2009), $1,000 (2010)

·         HDHP Out-of-pocket Maximums 

o   Self-only coverage:  $5,800 (2009), $5,950 (2010)

o   Family coverage:  $11,600 (2009), $11,900 (2010)

·         Minimum HDHP Deductibles

o   Self-only coverage:  $1,150 (2009), $1,200 (2010)

o   Family coverage:  $2,300 (2009), $2,400 (2010)

 

January 1, 2010
Form 941 Filing and FUTA Deposit Deadline. Due date for filing Form 941 and making FUTA deposits for the third quarter of 2009. January 31, 2010
2009 W-2s.  Employers must send the Wage & Tax Statements to employees no later than this date. It includes information on wages and taxable and non-taxable benefits. February 1, 2010
HITECH Act Takes Primary Effect. Many provisions of the HITECH Act, including those related to Business Associates, become effective. February 17, 2010
Penalties for HITECH Act Breach Notice Violations Begin. The Department of Health and Human Services imposed a six-month moratorium on penalties. It expires on this day. February 22, 2010

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