Health and wellness

Supreme Court to hear oral arguments this week in a case challenging the legality of tax credits to purchase health insurance under the ACA.

Commentary: Last month reminded blogger David C. Smith of the last 10 minutes of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. In the last four weeks, Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services settled their business in a concerted effort to make clear what would be permitted or prohibited when it came to compliance with the law.

Senior executives “get” the link between employee health and performance to a greater degree than middle and front-line managers, and this could be be significant for departments locked in budget battles seeking greater resources for health promotion efforts.

Is it legal for employers to drop health care coverage and pay for employees to go to the exchanges? One industry expert says yes — if you use this payroll option.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear the case of King v. Burwell, with the legality of federal subsidies for ACA exchange enrollment hanging in the balance. If the high court rules that subsides on the federal health care exchange are illegal, consumers would on average see premiums rise 255% — but industry analysts say it is unlikely to get to that point.

HHS has issued a final rule saying it will not qualify employer-sponsored health plans that fail to cover inpatient hospitalization as meeting the minimum value health plan standard under the ACA.

In a Congressional committee hearing Thursday, Kevin Counihan, the CEO of Healthcare.gov, was repeatedly grilled by members of Congress for details on enrollments, tax data and coverage for immigrants, but failed to provide answers to many questions asked.

Legislators urge brokers to contact Congress to help shape future policies.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued guidance on the potential approaches it may take in the future on proposed regulations for the excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage in the Affordable Care Act.

More tools are needed to support brokers as they help consumers navigate the complex health care law, Healthcare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan says.

The IRS and Dept. of Treasury are seeking comments on several issues related to the Cadillac tax, including what constitutes employer-sponsored coverage and different approaches for determining the cost of applicable coverage.

Employees are sitting too long, not using all their vacation, survey finds.

Technology has clearly revolutionized health care – from mobile apps that help employees stay fit and eat right to telemedicine that brings operational efficiency to treatment. But perhaps most compelling is the way it is helping elevate the open-enrollment experience in keeping with the intended consumer-friendly spirit of the Affordable Care Act.

More and more employers are looking beyond curbing health care costs when measuring the success of health and wellness programs.

The IRS addresses questions on employer payment plans and providing limited transitional relief for small employers who are currently reimbursing employees for individual health insurance premiums.

The Treasury Department says it will delay enforcement of an ACA prohibition relating to standalone health reimbursement arrangements until July 1.

Giving people more time to sign up for health coverage could increase costs.

Obama touts new enrollment estimates via Facebook video.

Former president Bill Clinton once conveyed messages of hope by referring to a small town by the same name, and the place of his birth, in Arkansas. Once again, hope springs eternal in the Natural State – this time for preserving and advancing a model that other conservative regions could emulate in crafting a viable political alternative to Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

The definition of wellness seems to be broadening, with benefits such as vacation days, community volunteering and workplace celebrations taking the stage as top wellness initiatives,