Stacy Edgar, CEO and founder of Venteur, an HRAC member, authors a commentary on critical questions facing employers and how ICHRAs can be the answer. See full article. 

Shout out to HRA Council Board Member Louis DeStefano, senior vice president of growth for Oscar Health, for straight talk about ICHRAs in this interview with Fierce Healthcare. Full article here. 

Noah Tong at Fierce Healthcare reports, "ICHRA is having a moment. VCs are taking notice and looking to invest in the emerging space." Read full story. 

Muhammad Jawad at BNN writes: "As startups like Oscar Health and Centene make strides in offering ICHRA plans, the model's potential to serve as the backbone for a more inclusive healthcare system becomes increasingly evident.: See full story.

Amid concerns about people being misled, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers and health spending plan administrators that personal expenses for general health and wellness are not considered medical expenses under the tax law. This means personal expenses are not deductible or reimbursable under health flexible spending arrangements, health savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements or medical savings accounts. See alert. 

To avoid a partial government shutdown, Congress last week approved a continuing resolution (CR) to extend six appropriations bills until March 8. The deadline for passing the remaining FY 2024 appropriations bills is March 22.

While none of the language specifically touches on HRAs or individual marketplace plans, Division G of the legislation text contains a number of health care policies and extensions of programs relating to public health, Medicare, and Medicaid including: an extension of the community health center program, protections against reductions to the disproportionate share hospital program, and increases in Medicare physician payments. Read more about the health care provisions here.

The text of the 1000+ page continuing resolution can be found at the House's list of Bills This Week. 

HRA Council members Remodel Health and PeopleKeep are making news. Read more here.

The IRS recently announced ACA pay or play penalty amounts for 2025. The penalties apply to all Applicable Large Employers (ALEs). See more here. 

PeopleKeep  released its seventh annual report on the qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA). Read the summary and get the link to the full report here. 

On February 13, 2024, Nexben  and Lynx announced a strategic partnership. See story here.