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ACA Controlled Group Penalties: What Happens When the IRS Finds Out You’re an ALE You manage your business with precision. You know your payroll numbers, your overhead, and your staff count....

Pennie’s 2027 Open Enrollment Shift: You Just Got More Time (But Don’t Waste It) If you have been keeping a close eye on the calendar for your 2027 health insurance planning, you probably noticed some conflicting information recently....

Do You Own Multiple Businesses? The ACA Controlled Group Trap That Could Cost You If you’re an entrepreneur with your hands in several different pots, you probably feel like you’ve mastered the art of the "small" business....

You Probably Didn't Know Your HRA Costs You $3.84 per Employee , Here's the Deal

If you’re a business owner, you’re used to the usual suspects when it comes to costs: payroll, rent, and the rising price of health insurance. But there’s a sneaky little fee hiding in your Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that many employers completely miss until it’s almost too late. It’s called the PCORI fee (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fee). While the name sounds like…

The New NJ Medicaid Employer 'Tax': Is Your Business Ready for the Per-Person Fee?

If you are a business owner in New Jersey, the legislative landscape just shifted beneath your feet. On Tuesday night, June 30, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a piece of legislation that moved through Trenton with remarkable speed. As part of the FY27 budget package, Assembly Bill A5324 (and its Senate counterpart S4533) officially established a new "Employer Health Care Contribution…

PCORI Fee Deadline Looming? We'll Break Down Who Pays, When, and How

If you are an employer providing health benefits to your team, you likely already know that the summer months bring more than just heatwaves and vacation requests. For many business owners and HR managers, the end of July marks a critical compliance deadline that often flies under the radar: the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee. While it might sound like just another…

The Quiet Death of the PPO: What Small Businesses Need to Know About 2026 Plans

For years, the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) was the undisputed gold standard for small business health insurance. If you were a business owner who wanted to recruit and retain the best talent, you offered a PPO. It sent a clear message to your employees: "We trust you to manage your own health, and we’re giving you the freedom to see any doctor, anywhere." But as we look toward the 2026…

Wait, HRAs Have an IRS Fee? The $3.84 Question Every Small Employer Needs Answered

You set up your Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to help your employees cover their medical costs. It’s a great move, it gives you tax advantages, controls your costs, and offers your team flexibility. But there is a small detail that often catches small business owners off guard: the PCORI fee. If you’ve never heard of it, you aren't alone. Many employers assume their insurance carrier…

Form 720 Scaries? Here's How to Handle the PCORI Fee on Your Self-Funded Plan

If you are a business owner or a plan sponsor managing a self-funded health plan or a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), the end of July likely brings a specific type of administrative "scary" to your desk. We are talking about the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee. While the name is a mouthful, the requirement is straightforward: the IRS wants its share to fund…

PCORI Fee Due July 31: Small Biz Owners, Don't Forget This Hidden Tax on Your HRA

If you are a small business owner offering health benefits, you likely feel like you’ve finally mastered the basics. You’ve picked a plan, you’re managing premiums, and your team is covered. But then, a cryptic acronym like "PCORI" pops up on your radar, accompanied by an IRS deadline. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee is one of those "hidden" requirements from the…

New Options for the Self-Employed: Ameristead Health Plans Now Available Through Total Benefit Solutions

For many years, self-employed professionals, gig workers, and small business owners have faced a significant challenge in the health insurance market. If you aren't part of a large corporation with thousands of employees, finding a high-quality, comprehensive health plan that doesn't break the bank can feel like an impossible task. You often find yourself stuck between expensive individual plans…

Gen Z Is Quietly Ditching Their Benefits (And Most Brokers Have No Idea)

If you are a business owner or an HR leader, you likely spent a significant portion of your budget last year on an employee benefits package. You probably assumed that by offering a robust health plan, you were checking a major box in your retention strategy. However, there is a growing trend that is flying under the radar of most traditional insurance brokers: Gen Z is quietly opting out. As we…

What Is a Controlled Group Under the ACA? (And Why Your Brother-Sister Business Might Be an ALE)

You’ve worked hard to build your business empire. Maybe you started with a small consulting firm, then branched out into a separate LLC for property management, and perhaps even a third venture in retail. On paper, each of these businesses has fewer than 20 employees. You might think you’re safely tucked under the 50-employee threshold for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate. But…

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Can AI Stop You From Picking the Wrong Health Plan?

Open Enrollment is often the most stressful time of the year for both employers and employees. It is a period defined by dense paperwork, confusing jargon, and the high-stakes pressure of choosing the right safety net for the next twelve months. Despite the annual ritual, we aren't getting any better at it. Recent industry data reveals a staggering reality: 35% of employees regret their health…

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and the $50 Catch Your Clients Will Miss

As we approach July 1, 2026, a major shift is coming to the world of Medicare prescription drug coverage. For years, beneficiaries have struggled with the high costs of weight-loss medications, often finding themselves stuck between "medical necessity" and "cosmetic exclusion" rules. That changes, temporarily, with the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. This time-limited demonstration program…

2027 HSA Limits Are Here: What You Need to Know About New Contribution, Deductible & Out-of-Pocket Caps

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially released the inflation-adjusted limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) for the 2027 calendar year. These updates, detailed in Revenue Procedure 2026-24, reflect the ongoing economic shifts and provide individuals and employers with the necessary benchmarks to plan their benefits strategy for the upcoming…

Medicare Secondary Payer Rules: 15 Things You Need to Know to Avoid Penalties

Let’s be honest: talking about Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules is about as exciting as watching paint dry, unless, of course, that paint is actually a fine from the federal government. For small business owners and HR managers, these rules are the "hidden traps" of the health insurance world. One wrong move, and suddenly your "affordable group health insurance" plan is facing claw-backs,…

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