NFP's Insights from the Experts

In this episode, Suzanne Spradley and K.C. Barner discuss the newly released final rule related to the creation and maintenance of association health plans (AHPs) under ERISA. The DOL’s final rule is a long-awaited response to the Oct. 12, 2017, executive order from Pres. Trump directing the DOL and other agencies to (among other things) expand the availability of AHPs. Suzanne breaks down the DOL...

In this episode, with mental health trending as a national discussion, Chase Cannon and Suzanne Spradley discuss mental health parity in health insurance coverage. As background, the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires that the financial requirements and treatment limitations imposed on mental health and substance abuse disorder benefits be no more restrictive t...

In this episode, K.C. Barner and Beth Allen discuss the status of the DOL’s Fiduciary Rule. Since the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated the Rule, there’s been some action on the part of the DOL, the states and the SEC. Specifically, the DOL has indicated that it won’t enforce the Rule, while the SEC has proposed its own rule. The states are even joining the party, through litigat...

In this episode, Chase Cannon and K.C. Barner – in his podcast debut – discuss some recent announcements and adjustments from the #IRS on #HSA contribution limits. The two discuss the mid-year changes to the 2018 maximum family HSA contribution limits — and what employers and HSA account holders should do in response to those changes. Then Chase and K.C. dive into some legislation that’s been intr...

In this episode, Beth Allen and Chase Cannon break down a recent case (Stein v. Atlas Industries, Inc.) being litigated in federal court. Beth outlines the facts of the case, which involve an employee who had two events going on — his son’s extremely serious medical event and his own torn meniscus, which led him to be out on an FMLA-protected leave. Eventually, the employer terminated the employee...

In this episode, Chase Cannon and Suzanne Spradley discuss a topic that seems to be less pressing, but ever recurring: employer contribution strategies.

In this episode, Suzanne Spradley and Chase Cannon delve into the health care delivery side of things with a discussion on direct primary care (DCP) arrangements, a type of clinical practice in which a physician offers primary care services to patients who pay a monthly membership or subscription fee. Suzanne further describes the details and history of DCP arrangements, how employers play in to t...

In this episode, Beth Allen, former DOL enforcement attorney, discusses the DOL’s fiduciary rule and how it changed the definition of “fiduciary” to include more investment advisors. Then she highlights the recent Fifth Circuit Court decision that could result in the Fiduciary Rule's demise.

Podcast Episode 25: Study Outlines Possible Reasons for Individual Market Premium Increases by NFP's Insights from the Experts

In this episode, Suzanne Spradley quizzes Chase Cannon on the most recent reminders and issues regarding employer mandate reporting. The two hit on the basics of reporting (including 2018 due dates) and how the 2019 repeal of the individual mandate may impact reporting obligations.

Ep 23: Hot Topics for 2018

Ep 22: D.C. Court Decision on EEOC's ADA and GINA Wellness Regulations

Ep 21: Association Health Plans by NFP's Insights from the Experts

In this episode, Suzanne Spradley and Chase Cannon discuss IRS Letter 226J—the IRS’s first wave of ACA employer mandate penalty notices.

Ep 19: The Executive Order and Reform Proposals

Ep 18: What It Means: White House Quashes CSR Payments

Ep 17: Pros and Cons of Selling Insurance Across State Lines

Ep 16: State Paid Family Leave Laws Trending Upward

Ep 15: Stabilizing Insurance Markets and Bipartisan ACA Discussions

Ep 14: Potential Regulatory Changes to the ACA

Ep 13: Senate Rejects Health Care Freedom Act

This week Suzanne Spradley and Chase Cannon give a quick update on the fate of the Better Care Reconciliation Act. The two further explore one aspect of the Republican effort to stabilize the individual market, called the invisible risk sharing pool, which is meant to help insurers take on the increased costs associated with covering high-risk individuals.

Podcast Episode 11: The Senate’s ACA Replacement Bill by NFP's Insights from the Experts

Ep 10: Ins and Outs of a Single-Payer System

Ep 9: EHBs and CBO Reports