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Employee Benefit News for School, City and County Employers

Steve Smith

Steve Smith is a powerhouse of energy, living by the mantra "work hard, play hard." As an expert in uniting teams for a greater purpose, Steve's innovative and creative strategies in employee health and wellness are game-changers. With over 25 years of expertise in health insurance, covering compliance, cost mitigation, utilization, analytics, wellness plans, and strategic planning, Steve is the go-to expert for driving down utilization trends and fostering a culture of well-being. His clients trust him to deliver exceptional results, making him an invaluable asset in the industry. As an Employee Benefits Consultant, Steve specializes in health care consulting for Minnesota public sector organizations including fully insured, self-insured, and stop-loss plans. Steve is a licensed insurance agent and holds the designations for Managed Healthcare Professional (The Health Insurance Association of America), Certified Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Professional (National Association of Health Underwriters), and Group Benefits Disability Specialist (Hartford School of Insurance).

Recent Articles by Steve Smith

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PCORI Fee Adjusted for 2021

1 minute read

The Affordable Care Act imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors in order to fund comparative effectiveness research. These fees are called PCORI fees...

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Final Rule Issued for Health Care Transparency

1.5 minute read

The Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury Department issued the final ruling regarding the transparency in health care coverage for group health plans and...

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Final Forms for 2020 ACA Reporting

2 minute read

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the final forms and instructions for 2020 reporting under Sections 6055 and 6056.

Payroll Tax Deferment Ordered

1.5 minute read

President Trump recently ordered the Treasury Department to defer collecting certain payroll taxes from September 1 to December 31, 2020. The payroll taxes will need to be recouped at...

New Executive Order Expands Telehealth Benefits

1.5 minute read

President Trump’s latest executive order is aimed at improving telemedicine and health care access for those who live in rural areas. Telehealth benefits are also expanded for...

Hospital Transparency Rule Upheld

1 minute read

A district judge ruled in favor of President Trump’s final rule which requires hospitals to disclose their negotiated prices starting January 1, 2021.

PCORI Fee Adjusted for 2020

1 minute read

The Affordable Care Act imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors in order to fund comparative effectiveness research. These fees are called PCORI fees...

New CARES Act Provides $2.2 Trillion in Federal Funding

1 minute read

The new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will provide $2.2 trillion in funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes a variety of changes affecting...

Telemedicine and the Coronavirus

1.5 minute read

With the number of COVID-19 cases rising, our hospitals and healthcare facilities are overwhelmed with phone calls and in-person visits. One option your health plan may provide is...

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Medicare Part D Disclosures Due February 29

2 minute read

Employers with health plans that provide prescription drug coverage to individuals who are eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D, are subject to Medicare Part D disclosure...