Employee Benefit News for School, City and County Employers

2026 Health Plan Compliance Deadlines

Written by Leah Boedigheimer | Nov 6, 2025 4:04:36 PM

Each year, employers face a range of crucial group health plan reporting and disclosure responsibilities. Here are the key deadlines for 2026, outlining the annual notice requirements that employer-sponsored plans need to meet.

Certain compliance deadlines are linked to the group health plan’s plan year. The chart that follows highlights deadlines specific to calendar-year plans; for plans operating on a non-calendar year, be sure to adjust these timelines according to your unique plan year schedule.

 

Determining the Plan Year

The “plan year” refers to the specific 12-month period your benefits plan uses for recordkeeping. This could match the calendar year, a fiscal year, or the policy year determined by your insurer. While many employers align their group health plans with the calendar year (January 1 to December 31), others opt for a custom schedule that better fits their organization’s fiscal cycle or the terms of their insurance policy.

 

Compliance Deadlines

Download the 2026 Health Plan Compliance Deadline Guide to help you note key dates including:

  • Form W-2
  • Sections 6055/6056 reporting
  • Medicare Part D notices
  • Prescription drug reporting
  • PCORI fee
  • Form 5500
  • Medical loss ratio rebates
  • Summary of benefits and coverage (SBC)
  • Annual Notices
  • And more

 

For more information about reporting or disclosure requirements, contact your NIS Benefits Consultant.