Federal Employment Law Update – November 2018
November 5, 2018PCORI Fee Increase for Health Plans
November 6, 2018Federal Employment Law Update – November 2018
November 5, 2018PCORI Fee Increase for Health Plans
November 6, 2018
Do you employ six or more workers in Massachusetts? If so, be sure that you or your payroll administrator complete the new Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by November 30.
What You Need to Know
It’s new. The new HIRD form is not the same as the forms and reports that were required at different times between 2006 and 2014. The old forms expired or were repealed. Although the Commonwealth decided to re-use the title “Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD),” today’s HIRD form is a new item with new rules.
It collects employer health coverage information. The HIRD form helps the Commonwealth identify persons with employer-sponsored coverage who may be eligible for premium assistance through MassHealth. Employers simply report whether or not they offer group health coverage and, if so, provide basic plan information. No individual employee data is requested.
It’s not paper. The new HIRD form is not a paper form. It’s all online. Use the MassTaxConnect (MTC) portal, log into the employer’s MTC withholding account, and select the “file health insurance responsibility disclosure” link.
It’s required – quickly! Employers that employ six or more workers in Massachusetts must complete the disclosure annually by November 30. The employer or its payroll vendor may handle it, but it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the disclosure is completed accurately and on time.
More Information
The Commonwealth’s Department of Revenue just released FAQs that explain the HIRD requirement and process. Written in clear simple language, the FAQs appear to cover all the questions that typical employers have about the new disclosure requirement.
About Kathleen A. Berger, CEBS
Kathy Berger is ThinkHR’s principal benefits consultant. She is a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) with over 25 years of experience working with brokers and employers. Kathy uses her extensive knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, the ACA, and other benefits laws and regulations to assist our clients with practical information in clear language.