By Last week, the Texas Department of Insurance officially confirmed that QSEHRA is not subject to small employer group health plan regulations set forth by Insurance Code Section 1501.003. This is great news for Texas small business owners, non-profits, churches, and entrepreneurs!
Following a recent endorsement from the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the fact that the 21st Century Cures Act supersedes all other legislation, this step isn’t surprising.
In the Commissioner’s Bulletin from last week, it stated that:
“Insurance Code Section 1501.003, which regulates small employer group health plans, does not apply to a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) under a federal law enacted in 2016 known as the 21st Century Cures Act.”
A win for the 21st Century Cures Act
This 21st Century Cures Act, the bipartisan law that established QSEHRA, enables small businesses to offer the same “big company” benefits and tax benefits that large corporations enjoy. The Cures Act clearly states that it supersedes all other legislation, which would include the Texas laws.
With a QSEHRA, the business owner pays what they can afford for their employees’ individual health insurance premiums and/or medical expenses, which comes in the form of a monthly reimbursement. This setup is flexible, efficient, and tax-advantaged, given that the reimbursements aren’t subject to payroll tax or income tax.
With the latest endorsement, small business owners in Texas will not have to go through the stress and hassle of complying with the regulations of small employer group plans. While these regulations, which include different benefit and consumer protection requirements, aren’t a bad thing, they are difficult for small businesses to adhere to and afford. But now, since QSHERA is not considered a group health plan, each employee’s plan is considered an individual health insurance policy.
State law to remain in effect
While QSEHRA isn’t included in the small employer regulations from the previous Texas law, the law still holds true for those who aren’t offering a QSHERA and are paying a portion or all of the employees’ health insurance, Insurance Code Section 1501.003 will continue.
As a reminder, here’s what this law states:
“If a regulated health benefit plan issuer offers individual health benefit coverage through an employer’s health reimbursement arrangement, or is an employer pays for part of all of the premium for individual coverage either directly or by reimbursing the employee, the coverage is regulated as a group health benefit plan under Insurance Code Chapter 1501.”
Stay informed!
Want to learn more about QSHERA and its benefits for your small business? Check out the brand new QSHERA guide. It’s chock-full of helpful information.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask questions in the comments below or email our small business experts at support@takecommandhealth.com and we’d be happy to help!
