Comply on the Fly

PCORI fees are due July 31, and some plan sponsors may need to pay them directly. This episode covers who is responsible, which 2026 fee applies, how covered lives are calculated, and what to know before filing Form 720. Please note: This podcast and the contents herein do not constitute legal advice. Seek the advice of counsel for any benefit compliance related implementation guidance or strategy...

Annual health plan reporting deadlines can sneak up fast, especially when multiple filings, vendors, and government agencies are involved. In this episode of Comply on the Fly , Karen B. recaps the key annual reporting requirements plan sponsors need to track, from ACA reporting and CMS disclosures to RxDC, Form 5500, PCORI fees, and gag clause attestation. Tune in for a practical overview of what...

Mid-year open enrollment can create unexpected HSA eligibility questions, especially when employees move from a traditional health plan to a high-deductible health plan. In this episode of Comply on the Fly , Karen breaks down a common HDHP enrollment dilemma: what happens when an employee wants to start contributing to an HSA, but their spouse is enrolled in a general purpose FSA. If your organiz...

CMS has issued new guidance that simplifies Medicare Part D creditable coverage disclosures for account based plans. In this episode of Comply on the Fly , Karen Breitnauer breaks down what the 2027 changes mean for FSAs, HRAs, and ICHRAs and what plan sponsors need to do now to stay compliant as the simplified determination method also changes. If you oversee benefits or support plan administrati...

A new Wisconsin mandate is coming, and it will require plan sponsors to take a closer look at breast cancer screening coverage starting in 2027. In this episode of Comply on the Fly , host Karen Breitnauer walks through 2025 Wisconsin Act 103, also known as Gail’s Law. Karen explains who the law applies to, when the requirements take effect, and what types of screenings must be covered. Understand...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly , Karen Breitnauer breaks down CHIPRA, Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, and why it is often misunderstood. The conversation sets the foundation for understanding special enrollment rights tied to Medicaid and CHIP and what employers are responsible for communicating. If CHIPRA feels like a routine compliance task, this episode explains w...

In this follow‑up episode of Comply on the Fly , host Karen Breitnauer continues the ongoing discussion around pharmacy benefit manager reform by breaking down the newly proposed settlement between Express Scripts and the Federal Trade Commission. After a month of rapid developments, this episode explains how alleged insulin price inflation led to federal action, what the FTC claims occurred withi...

What if the entire PBM landscape shifted before your next renewal, and you didn’t see it coming? In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen B. breaks down a whirlwind month of PBM activity and what employers should be watching now. From new transparency proposals to fresh statutory requirements, this episode gives listeners the essential signals without the noise—perfect for busy HR and benefits...

A key HIPAA compliance deadline is coming: self-funded plan sponsors must update their Notice of Privacy Practices by February 16, 2026. In this episode of Comply on the Fly, understand what that deadline means for employers who sponsor self-funded health plans, including self-funded medical or dental plans, HRAs and ICHRAs, and medical FSAs. Karen breaks down when employers are responsible for pr...

Ever have employees come to you in January already regretting their benefit elections? In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen breaks down the very real phenomenon of benefits buyer’s remorse—when employees realize that low premiums can mean higher out-of-pocket costs and suddenly want a do-over. From Section 125 qualifying events (and what doesn’t count) to mid-year plan changes, self-funded...

ACA reporting hasn’t gotten simpler—it’s gotten quieter and more nuanced. Between changes to how 1095-Cs are distributed, increased reliance on accurate measurement methods, and growing complexity in hybrid plan designs, small missteps now carry bigger consequences. This latest Comply on the Fly episode focuses on the judgment calls employers are actually making in 2025—not just the deadlines—so y...

Since Minnesota first announced its Paid Leave program, Comply on the Fly has been sharing resources to help employers prepare. In this episode, Karen B and Compliance Attorney Alex O’Connor tackle the most common questions coming in as we approach the 2026 go-live date. They cover how PTO, vacation, sick leave, and short-term disability interact with the new benefits, what employers need to know...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B. breaks down the annual Gag Clause Attestation requirement due by December 31 and the latest guidance from federal departments. Understand how new FAQs clarify what counts as a prohibited gag clause—from downstream agreements and discretionary disclosures to limits on data access—and what plan sponsors should do if such clauses exist in their cont...

The IRS has announced new FSA contribution limits for 2026, and they’re climbing again. In COTF episode, host Karen Breitnauer walks through what’s changing, including updates to the health FSA contribution cap, reminders on dependent care FSAs, and what employers should do next. Staying current on these annual limits helps ensure your organization’s benefit offerings remain both compliant and com...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen Breithnauer shares key reminders for employers during open enrollment, including required notices like HIPAA, CHIPRA, and Medicare Part D. It’s a quick, must-listen for HR professionals, benefits administrators, and compliance leads looking to avoid costly oversights. In under five minutes, Karen breaks down the most important federal compliance tas...

Minnesota’s new paid family and medical leave law takes effect January 1, 2026. If you have employees in the state, you’ll need to act. This COTF episode features M3’s Alex O’Connor, to  break down what employers need to know: compliance options, premium costs, deadlines, and how to prepare your team.   Please note: This podcast and the contents herein do not constitute legal advice. Seek the advi...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B. dives into an annual compliance requirement: Medicare Part D creditable coverage notices. Employers that sponsor health plans must tell Medicare eligible participants whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable, meaning it is as good as or better than Medicare Part D. This notice helps participants avoid late enrollment penalties and m...

Did you catch the update? HHS (the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) raised the 2026 ACA out-of-pocket maximums. What does that mean for your group health plan, and your employees? Comply on the Fly has the quick compliance insight you need to stay ahead of 2026 requirements.

Big changes are coming for employers in 2026. In this episode, Karen breaks down the latest update to Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules, including the new IRS affordability percentage that could impact your health plan strategy. If you're an applicable large employer with 50 or more full-time employees, this matters. Falling short of affordability requirements could lead to significant penalties per...

On this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B unpacks the employee benefits provisions in the newly signed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a sweeping piece of legislation with implications for health savings accounts (HSAs), dependent care FSAs, and Marketplace plan eligibility. The OBBBA revives and expands key benefits provisions that had expired or been under debate, including first...

On this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B breaks down the 2025 PCORI (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute) fees—what they are, who owes them, and how to pay. While fully insured employers may be off the hook, those with HRAs and other self-funded plans should take note.   Karen explains how the fees apply based on plan type and coverage year and details the updated per-covered-li...

On this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B covers the core compliance considerations for employers moving from a fully insured to a self-funded health plan. While self-funding can offer greater cost control, it also brings added compliance responsibilities. Karen walks through high-level obligations under ERISA, HIPAA, and the ACA—such as the need for updated plan documentation, direct han...

On this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B unpacks the ins and outs of employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—a benefit that can offer significant value to both employees and organizations. She breaks down what makes an employee eligible to receive HSA contributions, what employers are (and aren’t) responsible for verifying, and how timing and contribution limits can affe...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B tackles a common employer question: Can we pay for an employee’s Medicare or Medicare supplement premiums? The short answer? No. Doing so would violate Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules, which prevent employers from incentivizing employees to switch from their group health plan to Medicare. Understand the key MSP restrictions, the rare exceptio...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen dives into the timely topic of ACA affordability and why employers should prioritize analyzing their coverage offers early. With 2024 reporting season upon us, Karen breaks down how to calculate affordability using federal poverty levels or wages, offering real-world examples to guide decisions. Learn how to ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary expens...