Comply on the Fly

Missed SAR deadlines can create unnecessary compliance exposure for employer-sponsored health and welfare plans. In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen B. explains how Summary Annual Report requirements connect to the Form 5500 process, why delivery timing matters, and what employers should keep in mind when sharing ERISA-required documents with plan participants.

Please note: This podcast and the contents herein do not con...

Annual health plan reporting deadlines can sneak up fast, especially when multiple filings, vendors, and government agencies are involved. In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen B. recaps the key annual reporting requirements plan sponsors need to track, from ACA reporting and CMS disclosures to RxDC, Form 5500, PCORI fees, and gag clause attestation. Tune in for a practical overview of what is due, when it is due, and where e...

Mid-year open enrollment can create unexpected HSA eligibility questions, especially when employees move from a traditional health plan to a high-deductible health plan. In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen breaks down a common HDHP enrollment dilemma: what happens when an employee wants to start contributing to an HSA, but their spouse is enrolled in a general purpose FSA.

If your organization offers an HDHP during a mid-yea...

CMS has issued new guidance that simplifies Medicare Part D creditable coverage disclosures for account based plans.

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen Breitnauer breaks down what the 2027 changes mean for FSAs, HRAs, and ICHRAs and what plan sponsors need to do now to stay compliant as the simplified determination method also changes.

If you oversee benefits or support plan administration, this episode will help you underst...

A new Wisconsin mandate is coming, and it will require plan sponsors to take a closer look at breast cancer screening coverage starting in 2027.

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen Breitnauer walks through 2025 Wisconsin Act 103, also known as Gail’s Law. Karen explains who the law applies to, when the requirements take effect, and what types of screenings must be covered. Understand the important statutory defini...

In this follow‑up episode of Comply on the Fly, host Karen Breitnauer continues the ongoing discussion around pharmacy benefit manager reform by breaking down the newly proposed settlement between Express Scripts and the Federal Trade Commission. After a month of rapid developments, this episode explains how alleged insulin price inflation led to federal action, what the FTC claims occurred within PBM rebate structures, and the sig...

What if the entire PBM landscape shifted before your next renewal, and you didn’t see it coming?

In this episode of Comply on the Fly, Karen B. breaks down a whirlwind month of PBM activity and what employers should be watching now. From new transparency proposals to fresh statutory requirements, this episode gives listeners the essential signals without the noise—perfect for busy HR and benefits professionals who need t...

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...

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 ca...

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,&rdqu...

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 c...

The IRS has announced new FSA contribution limits for 2026, and they’re climbing again. In COTF episode, host Karen Breitnauer walks through what’s changing, including updates to the health FSA contribution cap, reminders on dependent care FSAs, and what employers should do next.

Staying current on these annual limits helps ensure your organization’s benefit offerings remain both compliant and compelling heading i...

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, co...

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...