2019 Health Plan Compliance Deadlines

JANUARY

Jan. 31

Form W-2 (including health plan costs)

Employers that filed 250 or more IRS Forms W-2 for the prior calendar year

Employers that filed 250 or more IRS Forms W-2 for the prior calendar year must include the aggregate cost of employer-sponsored health plan coverage on employees’ Forms W-2. This reporting is optional for employers that had to file fewer than 250 Forms W-2 for the prior calendar year. Employers must file Forms W-2 with the Social Security Administration and furnish Forms W-2 to employees by Jan. 31 of each year, unless an extension applies.

DEADLINE

REQUIREMENT

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

FEBRUARY

Feb. 28

Section 6056 reporting (paper filing deadline)

Employers that are ALEs and sponsor fully insured health plans

Internal Revenue Code (Code) Section 6056 requires applicable large employers (ALEs) with fully insured health plans to report information about the health plan coverage to the IRS each year, using IRS Forms 1094-C and 1095-C. The deadline for filing paper versions of the forms with the IRS is Feb. 28, 2019; the deadline for electronic filing is April 1, 2019.

Section 6055 reporting (paper filing deadline)

Employers that are not ALEs and sponsor self-insured health plans

Code Section 6055 requires employers with self-insured health plans to report information about the coverage to the IRS each year. Employers that are not ALEs use IRS Forms 1094-B and 1095-B to meet these reporting obligations. The deadline for filing paper versions of the forms with is Feb. 28, 2019; the deadline for electronic filing is April 1, 2019.

Sections 6055/6056 reporting

(paper filing deadline)

Employers that are ALEs and sponsor self-insured health plans

Code Sections 6055 and 6056 require ALEs that sponsor self-insured health plans to report information about the coverage to the IRS each year, using IRS Forms 1094-C and 1095-C. The deadline for filing paper versions of the forms is Feb. 28, 2019; the deadline for electronic filing is April 1, 2019.    

MARCH

March 1

*calendar year plans

Medicare Part D disclosure to CMS

Group health plans that provide prescription drug coverage to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D

Group health plan sponsors that provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare Part D-eligible individuals must disclose to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) whether prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. In general, a plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable if its actuarial value equals or exceeds the actuarial value of the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Plan sponsors must make the disclosure annually and at other select times, using CMS’ online disclosure form. Plan sponsors must submit the annual disclosure to CMS within 60 days after the beginning of the plan year. For calendar year plans, the deadline is March 1, 2019.

DEADLINE

REQUIREMENT

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

March 4

Section 6056  individual statements

Employers that are ALEs and sponsor fully insured health plans

Code Section 6056 requires ALEs with fully insured health plans to provide information about health plan coverage to their full-time employees each year, using IRS Form 1095-C. The forms must be provided to employees on or before Jan. 31; however, the IRS extended the deadline for 2018 employee statements, from Jan. 31, 2019, to March 4, 2019.  

Section 6055 individual statements

Employers that are not ALEs and sponsor self-insured health plans

Code Section 6055 requires employers with self-insured health plans to provide information about the coverage to enrolled employees each year. Employers that are not ALEs use IRS Form 1095-B to provide this health coverage information, generally on or before Jan. 31. However, the IRS extended the deadline for furnishing 2018 employee statements, from Jan. 31, 2019, to March 4, 2019.  

Sections 6055/6056 individual statements

Employers that are ALEs and sponsor self-insured health plans

Code Sections 6055 and 6056 require ALEs that sponsor self-insured health plans to report information about the coverage to covered employees each year, using IRS Form 1095-C. In general, these forms must be provided on or before Jan. 31; however, the IRS extended the deadline for furnishing 2018 employee statements, from Jan. 31, 2019, to March 4, 2019.  

APRIL

April 1

Section 6056 reporting (electronic filing deadline)

Employers that are ALEs and sponsor fully insured health plans

Code Section 6056 requires applicable large employers (ALEs) with fully insured health plans to report information about health plan coverage to the IRS, using IRS Forms 1094-C and 1095-C. In general, the annual deadline for electronic filing is March 31; however, because March 31, 2019, is a Sunday, the deadline is April 1, 2019.

Section 6055 reporting (electronic filing deadline)

Employers that are not ALEs and sponsor self-insured health plans

Code Section 6055 requires employers with self-insured health plans to report information about the coverage to the IRS each year. Employers that are not ALEs use IRS Forms 1094-B and 1095-B to meet these reporting obligations. In general, the annual deadline for electronic filing is March 31; however, because March 31, 2019, is a Sunday, the deadline is April 1, 2019.

DEADLINE

REQUIREMENT

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

April 1

Sections 6055/6056 reporting (electronic filing deadline)

Employers that are ALEs and sponsor self-insured health plans

Code Sections 6055 and 6056 require ALEs that sponsor self-insured health plans to report information about the coverage to the IRS each year, using IRS Forms 1094-C and 1095-C. In general, the annual deadline for electronic filing is March 31; however, because March 31, 2019, is a Sunday, the deadline is April 1, 2019.    

JULY

July 31

PCORI fee

(for plan years ending in 2018)

Employers with self-insured health plans

Employers with self-insured health plans must pay an annual fee to fund the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Self-insured health plans that are subject to PCORI fees include self-funded medical plans, as well as HRAs offered in conjunction with fully insured group medical plans. HRAs offered with self-insured group medical plans are not subject to separate PCORI fees if the HRA and the medical plan have the same plan sponsor and plan year.

Employers use IRS Form 720 to report and pay PCORI fees, which are due by the July 31 of the year that follows the last day of the plan year. The PCORI fees are temporary—the fees do not apply to plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2019.

July 31

*calendar year plans

Form 5500

(regular deadline)

Employers with ERISA-covered group health plans that do not qualify for the small plan exemption

Employers with ERISA-covered welfare benefit plans are required to file an annual Form 5500, unless a reporting exemption applies. The Form 5500 must be filed by the last day of the seventh month following the end of the plan year, unless an extension applies. For calendar year plans, this deadline is July 31, 2019. An employer may request a one-time extension of 2 ½ months by filing IRS Form 5558 by the normal due date of the Form 5500. If the Form 5558 is filed on or before the normal due date of the Form 5500 or 5500-SF, the extension is automatically granted.

Small health plans (fewer than 100 participants) that are fully insured, unfunded or a combination of insured/unfunded, are generally exempt from the Form 5500 filing requirement.

DEADLINE

REQUIREMENT

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 30

Medical loss ratio (MLR) rebates

Employers with fully insured health plans that receive MLR rebates

Issuers must spend a minimum percentage of their premium dollars, or medical loss ratio (MLR), on medical care and health care quality improvement. Issuers that do not meet the applicable MLR must pay rebates to consumers.

Sponsors of insured health plans may receive rebates if their issuers did not meet their MLR. Rebates must be provided to plan sponsors by Sept. 30 following the end of the MLR reporting year. Employers that receive rebates should consider their legal options for using the rebate. Any rebate amount that qualifies as a plan asset under ERISA must be used for the exclusive benefit of the plan’s participants and beneficiaries.

Also, as a general rule, plan sponsors should use the rebate within three months of receiving it to avoid ERISA’s trust requirements. Plan sponsors that receive a rebate prior to Sept. 30 may need to adjust their deadline for using the rebate.   

Sept. 30

*calendar year plans

Summary annual report

(regular deadline)

Group health plans that are subject to the Form 5500 filing requirement (and have not extended the Form 5500 deadline)

Employers that are required to file a Form 5500 must provide participants with a summary of the information in the Form 5500, called a summary annual report (SAR). The plan administrator generally must provide the SAR within nine months of the close of the plan year. For calendar year plans, this deadline is Sept. 30, 2019.

If an extension of time to file the Form 5500 is obtained, the plan administrator must furnish the SAR within two months after the close of the extension period.

Plans that are exempt from the annual 5500 filing requirement are not required to provide an SAR. Large, completely unfunded health plans are also generally exempt from the SAR requirement.

DEADLINE

REQUIREMENT

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

OCTOBER

Oct. 14

Medicare Part D notices

Group health plans that provide prescription drug coverage to individuals eligible for Medicare Part D

Employers with group health plans that provide prescription drug coverage must notify Medicare Part D-eligible individuals by Oct. 14 of each year about whether the drug coverage is at least as good as  Medicare Part D coverage (in other words, whether their prescription drug coverage is “creditable” or “non-creditable”).

If a health plan’s open enrollment period begins on or before Oct. 14, the Medicare Part D notice may be included in the plan’s open enrollment materials. Model disclosure notices are available on CMS’ website.

Oct. 15

*calendar year plans

Form 5500 (extended deadline)

Employers with ERISA-covered group health plans that do not qualify for the small plan exemption (and have timely requested an extension to the filing deadline)

Employers with ERISA-covered welfare benefit plans are required to file an annual Form 5500, unless a reporting exemption applies. The Form 5500 must be filed by the last day of the seventh month following the end of the plan year, unless an extension applies. An employer may request a one-time extension of 2 ½ months by filing IRS Form 5558 by the normal due date of the Form 5500. If the Form 5558 is filed on or before the normal due date of the Form 5500 or 5500-SF, the extension is automatically granted. For calendar year plans, this extended deadline is Oct. 15, 2019.

DECEMBER

Dec. 15

*calendar year plans

SAR

(extended deadline)

Group health plans that are subject to the Form 5500 filing requirement (if Form 5500 deadline was extended)

Employers that are required to file a Form 5500 must provide participants with a summary of the information in the Form 5500, called a SAR. The plan administrator generally must provide the SAR within nine months of the close of the plan year. If an extension of time to file the Form 5500 is obtained, the plan administrator must furnish the SAR within two months after the close of the extension period. For calendar year plans, this extended deadline is Dec. 15, 2019.

Plans that are exempt from the annual 5500 filing requirement are not required to provide a SAR. Large, completely unfunded health plans are also generally exempt from the SAR requirement.

Summary of benefits and coverage (SBC)

Group health plans and health insurance issuers

Group health plans and health insurance issuers are required to provide an SBC to applicants and enrollees each year at open enrollment or renewal time. Federal agencies have provided a template for the SBC, which health plans and issuers are required to use.

The issuer for fully insured plans usually prepares the SBC. If the issuer prepares the SBC, an employer is not also required to prepare an SBC for the health plan, although the employer may need to distribute the SBC prepared by the issuer.

 Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) notice

Group health plans that provide medical and surgical benefits for mastectomies

Group health plans must provide a notice about the WHCRA’s coverage requirements at the time of enrollment and on an annual basis after enrollment. The annual WHCRA notice can be provided at any time during the year. Employers often include the annual notice with their open enrollment materials. Employers that redistribute their summary plan descriptions (SPDs) each year can satisfy the annual notice requirement by including the WHCRA notice in their SPDs. Model language is available in the DOL’s compliance assistance guide.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) notice

Group health plans that cover residents in a state that provides a premium assistance subsidy under a Medicaid plan or CHIP.

If an employer’s group health plan covers residents in a state that provides a premium subsidy under a Medicaid plan or CHIP, the employer must send an annual notice about the available assistance to all employees residing in that state. The DOL has a model notice that employers may use.

The annual CHIP notice can be provided at any time during the year. Employers often provide the CHIP notice with their open enrollment materials.

SPD

Group health plans subject to ERISA

An SPD must be provided to new health plan participants within 90 days of when their plan coverage begins. Employers may include the SPD in their open enrollment materials to make sure employees who newly enroll receive the SPD on a timely basis. Also, an employer should include the SPD with its enrollment materials if it includes notices required to be provided at the time of enrollment, such as the WHCRA notice.

In addition, an updated SPD must be provided to participants at least every five years, if material modifications have been made during that period. If no material modifications have been made, an updated SPD must be provided at least every 10 years.

SMM

Group health plans subject to ERISA

Under ERISA, a summary of material modifications (SMM) must be provided when there is a material change in the terms of the plan or any change in the information required to be in the SPD. As a general rule, the plan sponsor must provide the SMM within 210 days after the close of the plan year in which the change was adopted. A shorter deadline may apply in some circumstances, depending on the nature of the modification or change. If the change is a material reduction in group health plan benefits or services, the deadline for providing the SMM is 60 days after the change is adopted.

Employers should communicate plan changes to participants as soon as possible to help avoid benefit disputes. When plan changes will take effect at the beginning of the upcoming plan year, employers may decide to include the SMMs in their open enrollment materials.

COBRA General Notice

Group health plans subject to COBRA

Group health plans must provide a written General Notice of COBRA Rights to covered employees within 90 days after their health plan coverage begins. Employers may include the General Notice in their open enrollment materials to ensure that employees who newly enroll during open enrollment receive the notice on a timely basis. The DOL has a COBRA Model General Notice that can be used by group health plans to meet their notice obligations.

Grandfathered plan notice

Health plans that have grandfathered status under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

To maintain a plan’s grandfathered status, the plan sponsor or issuer must include a statement of the plan’s grandfathered status in plan materials provided to participants describing the plan’s benefits (such as the SPD, insurance certificate and open enrollment materials). The DOL has provided a model notice for grandfathered plans.

Notice of patient protections

Non-grandfathered group health plans that require designation of a participating primary care provider

If a non-grandfathered plan requires participants to designate a participating primary care provider, the plan or issuer must provide a notice of patient protections whenever the SPD or similar description of benefits is provided to a participant. This notice is often included in the SPD or insurance certificate provided by the issuer (or otherwise provided with enrollment materials). The DOL has provided a model notice of patient protections for plans and issuers to use.

HIPAA privacy notice

Self-insured group health plans

The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires self-insured health plans to maintain and provide their own privacy notices. Special rules, however, apply for fully insured plans. Under these rules, the health insurance issuer, and not the health plan itself, is primarily responsible for the privacy notice.

Self-insured health plans are required to send the privacy notice at certain times, including to new enrollees at the time of enrollment. Thus, the privacy notice should be provided with the plan’s open enrollment materials. Also, at least once every three years, health plans must either redistribute the privacy notice or notify participants that the privacy notice is available and explain how to obtain a copy. The Department of Health and Human Services provides model privacy notices for health plans to choose from.

HIPAA special enrollment notice

All group health plans

At or prior to the time of enrollment, a group health plan must provide each eligible employee with a notice of his or her special enrollment rights under HIPAA. This notice should be included with the plan’s enrollment materials. It is often included in the health plan’s SPD or insurance booklet.

Wellness notice – HIPAA

Group health plans with health-contingent wellness programs

Employers with health-contingent wellness programs must provide a notice that informs employees that there is an alternative way to qualify for the program’s reward. This notice must be included in all plan materials that describe the terms of the wellness program. If wellness program materials are being distributed at open enrollment (or renewal time), the notice should be included with those materials. Sample language is available in the DOL’s compliance assistance guide.

Wellness notice – ADA

Wellness programs that collect health information or include medical exams

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), wellness plans that collect health information or involve medical exams must provide a notice to employees that explains how the information will be used, collected and kept confidential. Employees must receive this notice before providing any health information and with enough time to decide whether to participate in the program. Employers implementing a wellness program for the upcoming plan year should include this notice in their open enrollment materials. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has provided a sample notice for employers to use.