Comply on the Fly

A key HIPAA compliance deadline is coming: self-funded plan sponsors must update their Notice of Privacy Practices by February 16, 2026. In this episode of Comply on the Fly, understand what that deadline means for employers who sponsor self-funded health plans, including self-funded medical or dental plans, HRAs and ICHRAs, and medical FSAs. Karen breaks down when employers are responsible for providing a Notice of Privacy Practic...

Ever have employees come to you in January already regretting their benefit elections? In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen breaks down the very real phenomenon of benefits buyer’s remorse—when employees realize that low premiums can mean higher out-of-pocket costs and suddenly want a do-over. From Section 125 qualifying events (and what doesn’t count) to mid-year plan changes, self-funded vs. fully insured flexibility, and ...

ACA reporting hasn’t gotten simpler—it’s gotten quieter and more nuanced. Between changes to how 1095-Cs are distributed, increased reliance on accurate measurement methods, and growing complexity in hybrid plan designs, small missteps now carry bigger consequences. This latest Comply on the Fly episode focuses on the judgment calls employers are actually making in 2025—not just the deadlines—so you can avoid avoidable errors and r...

Since Minnesota first announced its Paid Leave program, Comply on the Fly has been sharing resources to help employers prepare. In this episode, Karen B and Compliance Attorney Alex O’Connor tackle the most common questions coming in as we approach the 2026 go-live date.

They cover how PTO, vacation, sick leave, and short-term disability interact with the new benefits, what employers need to know about “topping off,” private plan ex...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B. breaks down the annual Gag Clause Attestation requirement due by December 31 and the latest guidance from federal departments.

Understand how new FAQs clarify what counts as a prohibited gag clause—from downstream agreements and discretionary disclosures to limits on data access—and what plan sponsors should do if such clauses exist in their contracts.

Tune in for a concise, prac...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen Breithnauer shares key reminders for employers during open enrollment, including required notices like HIPAA, CHIPRA, and Medicare Part D. It’s a quick, must-listen for HR professionals, benefits administrators, and compliance leads looking to avoid costly oversights. In under five minutes, Karen breaks down the most important federal compliance tasks into a clear checklist, complete...

Minnesota’s new paid family and medical leave law takes effect January 1, 2026. If you have employees in the state, you’ll need to act. This COTF episode features M3’s Alex O’Connor, to  break down what employers need to know: compliance options, premium costs, deadlines, and how to prepare your team.

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B. dives into an annual compliance requirement: Medicare Part D creditable coverage notices. Employers that sponsor health plans must tell Medicare eligible participants whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable, meaning it is as good as or better than Medicare Part D.

This notice helps participants avoid late enrollment penalties and must be provided each year by Octob...

Big changes are coming for employers in 2026. In this episode, Karen breaks down the latest update to Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules, including the new IRS affordability percentage that could impact your health plan strategy.

If you're an applicable large employer with 50 or more full-time employees, this matters. Falling short of affordability requirements could lead to significant penalties per employee.

Learn what the new perce...

On this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B unpacks the employee benefits provisions in the newly signed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a sweeping piece of legislation with implications for health savings accounts (HSAs), dependent care FSAs, and Marketplace plan eligibility.

The OBBBA revives and expands key benefits provisions that had expired or been under debate, including first dollar coverage for telehealt...

On this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B breaks down the 2025 PCORI (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute) fees—what they are, who owes them, and how to pay. While fully insured employers may be off the hook, those with HRAs and other self-funded plans should take note.

Karen explains how the fees apply based on plan type and coverage year and details the updated per-covered-life amounts for plans ending in 2024...

On this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B covers the core compliance considerations for employers moving from a fully insured to a self-funded health plan. While self-funding can offer greater cost control, it also brings added compliance responsibilities.

Karen walks through high-level obligations under ERISA, HIPAA, and the ACA—such as the need for updated plan documentation, direct handling of PHI, and obligations like ...

On this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B unpacks the ins and outs of employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—a benefit that can offer significant value to both employees and organizations. She breaks down what makes an employee eligible to receive HSA contributions, what employers are (and aren’t) responsible for verifying, and how timing and contribution limits can affect both compliance and employee tax...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen B tackles a common employer question: Can we pay for an employee’s Medicare or Medicare supplement premiums? The short answer? No.

Doing so would violate Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules, which prevent employers from incentivizing employees to switch from their group health plan to Medicare. Understand the key MSP restrictions, the rare exceptions, and what employers can do.

If ...

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen dives into the timely topic of ACA affordability and why employers should prioritize analyzing their coverage offers early. With 2024 reporting season upon us, Karen breaks down how to calculate affordability using federal poverty levels or wages, offering real-world examples to guide decisions. Learn how to ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary expenses while making informed decisions ...

Keeping your business compliant with ERISA requirements isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about safeguarding your employees and your organization from unnecessary risks. In this episode of Comply on the Fly, we dive into a critical topic every employer needs to know: Form 5500 filing for health and welfare benefit plans under ERISA. If your plans have over 100 participants, this requirement is non-negotiable. Tune in as we break...

Two recently signed bills are bringing much-needed relief for employers navigating ACA reporting. In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen B breaks down the latest updates that simplify compliance and reduce administrative headaches. Learn how the new laws provide more flexibility in distributing 1095-B and 1095-C forms and extend deadlines for responding to penalty letters. These changes could save you time, help you avoid pena...