Congress Passed the 21st Century Cures Act

Congress has passed, and President Obama is expected to sign the 21st Century Cures Act, H.R. 34. Among other things, the new legislation will permit small employers (those that are not considered applicable large employers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)), to maintain general-purpose stand-alone Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) if they do not offer a group health plan to any of their employees. Stand-alone HRAs are not permitted based on ACA guidance. Annual benefits under these new HRAs cannot exceed an indexed maximum of $4,950 per year ($10,000 if family members are covered), must be funded solely by employer contributions (employee contributions are not permitted), and can only be used for the reimbursement of Internal Revenue Code §213(d) medical care expenses.