Learn about Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSEHRAs)

Attorney Larry Grudzien conducted a webinar reviewing the rules for Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSEHRAs) on December 14, 2017 at 1:00 PM CST.

The Webinar was over 60 minutes in length.

On October 29, 2017, IRS released Notice 2017-67 which provided the first extensive guidance on all aspects of QSEHRAs.

The webinar reviewed:
– Which employers can offer QSEHRAs.
– What employees must be covered and can be excluded.
– What medical expenses can be reimbursed.
– What federal laws do not apply to QSEHRAs.
– What reporting and disclosure rules apply.
– How offering QSEHRAs will affect employees eligibility for premium credits and subsidies.

This Webinar included a substantial question and answer period.

This webinar is important for any insurance broker, TPA, employer or adviser who wants to be prepared to understand QSEHRA

HRAs or HSAs, How Does an Employer Decide?

Introduction

As health care costs soar, employers are forced to find ways to (1) cut costs and/or (2) shift more of the costs to participants.  They are accomplishing this by increasing deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance amounts and reducing benefits.  The theory is if participants are more responsible for paying health expenses they will be more responsible with their own dollars.

Two vehicles that employers are considering in cutting costs and/or shifting more of the cost to employees are Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).  Because the interplay between these two vehicles in any year is very limited, an employer must decide which one is best for its situation.  To assist an employer in deciding between HRAs and HSAs, the following discussion compares the important features of each in a question and answer format and then discusses their advantages and disadvantages.

Click here to DOWNLOAD the complete “HRAs or HSAs,How Does an Employer Decide?” Guide.

Q&A Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)

Which individuals cannot participate tax free in an HRA?

Self-employed individuals, partners in a partnership and more than 2% shareholders in an S Corporations cannot participate in HRAs tax free as provided in IRS Notice 2002-45.

What items can be reimbursed under an HRA?

An employer can reimburse any designated medical expenses as provided in Code Section 213(s) and premiums for accident or health coverage for current employees, retirees, and COBRA qualified beneficiaries, as provided in IRS Notice 2002-45.

Can an employer vary the amount it contributes for retiree medical benefits under an HRA depending on an employee’s age and service?

Yes.  It is not a violation of the nondiscrimination rules under Code Section 105(h) as provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.105-11.

Is there any nondiscrimination requirements that an employer must met when sponsoring an HRA?

Yes. HRAs are subject to the nondiscrimination requirements described in Code Section 105(h). HRAs are considered nondiscriminatory only if they do not favor highly compensated individuals with regard to eligibility to participate or the type of benefits provided.

Under Code Section 105(h)(3), an HRA is discriminatory for eligibility unless it benefits:

• 70 percent or more of all employees;

• 80 percent of employees eligible to benefit, as long as 70 percent or more employees are eligible to benefit under the plan; or

• a nondiscriminatory classification of employees.

HRAs are discriminatory for benefits under Code Section 105(h)(4) if the type and amount of benefits available to highly compensated individuals are not also available on the same basis to other participants. The comparison is based on benefits subject to reimbursement, rather than actual benefit payments or reimbursements under the plan, and on dollar amounts, rather than percentages of pay.

For purposes of these tests, highly compensated individuals are defined in Code Section 105(h)(5) as those who are:

• among the five highest-paid officers of the employer,

• shareholders who own more than 10 percent in value of the employer’s stock, or

• the highest paid 25 percent of all employees.

Under Code Section 105(h)(1), excess reimbursements by highly compensated individuals in discriminatory plans are treated as taxable benefits.