IRS Grants Extension for 6055 and 6056 Reporting

According to United Healthcare, Broker Connection Special Edition:

“On Dec. 28, 2015, the IRS announced that it is granting an automatic extension for the 2015 information returns required of insurers, employers and certain other providers of Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) under Section 6055 and 6056 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

Coverage providers that need more time now have until March 31 to get Form 1095 to individuals and until June 30 to electronically file with the IRS. For providers not filing electronically, the deadline is May 31, 2016.

Notice 2016-4 explains that the IRS is prepared to receive filings beginning in January as originally scheduled. Employers and insurers are filing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) information returns for the first time, as required by the health law. Therefore, the IRS wants to give the employers, insurers and other providers of minimum essential coverage more time, if necessary, to gather, analyze and report the information.

UnitedHealthcare Approach
We are continuing to work toward meeting the original timelines communicated by the IRS. In fact, we began to furnish the required Forms to subscribers in December. However, the extension gives us some flexibility, if needed, and we will have all 1095-B forms to subscribers before the March 31, 2016 deadline.

Information Supports the Mandates
These reports contain information that is needed to enforce ACA individual and employer mandates.

• The individual mandate requires all individuals to have insurance.
• The employer mandate requires applicable large employers to offer minimum essential coverage that meets a minimum value and is affordable.”