While the pace of health care reform has slowed dramaticallyover the last few years, that doesn't mean the industry is static.Health are and benefits are still affected by constant regulatoryreforms and changes, and benefits advisors play an integral role inmaking sure employers are up to speed on new rules.

Federal policy changes present an opportunity to connect withclients and prospects. In the current slower season before openenrollment, new rules and regulations are a good topic for anoff-renewal, relationship-building lunch or meeting withclients.

Brokers can also inquire with prospects as to whether theircurrent advisor has made them aware of recent changes, and whetherthe advisor is helping them consider all of their availableoptions.

Here are three things to share with clients and prospects thissummer before open enrollment.

New HRA rules

Starting in 2020, employers of any size will be allowed toreimburse employees for individual coverage.

The IRS released a final rule in June that creates twokinds of HRAs. The Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA) allows employersto provide employees funds for major medical coverage, while anexcepted benefit HRA allows employers to provide up to $1,800 peryear to employees for out-of-pocket health care costs or short-termplans.

With the unemployment rate at historic lows, fewer employers areexpected to take advantage of the ability to drop group coverage.In fact, many employers are actually looking to expand theirofferings to better compete for talent.

That said, the new rules do give small employers who may notcurrently offer a group plan another option to assist employeeswith health care and health coverage access.

Association health plans on hold

Last year, the Trump administration expanded association healthplan rules, allowing more employers to band together to offercoverage.

However, a federal judge ruled earlier this year that the newrules are in violation of the Employee Retirement Income SecurityAct (ERISA) and were intended to undermine the ACA.

The good news is that employers who are currently members of anAHP aren't likely to face any penalties this year.The Department of Labor filed a notice of appeal in April, andreleased a statement that it would not pursue violations stemmingfrom actions taken in “good faith” before the federal courtruling.

Overtime changes coming

The Department of Labor proposed in March increasing the wage thresholdfor employees eligible for overtime to $35,208. Currently, theproposal is just that, and no changes will be required until afinal rule is released. Even so, employers shouldn't procrastinateon preparing for these changes.

Raising the wage threshold for overtime has been an ongoing goalfor the federal government, and brokers can help employers take aproactive approach by reviewing employee classifications and wagestandards.

This summer, comprehensive advisors can make clients andprospects aware of these upcoming changes. Regardless of whetherthere are any action items for your groups as a result of new rulesand policies, these updates present another opportunity for brokersto connect with employers in their market on the latest inbenefits.

Alex Tolbert is the founder and CEO of BerniePortal, theall-in-one HRIS for small and mid-sized businesses. Alex receivedhis B.S. and B.A. in Finance and International Studies from theWharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was amember of the Huntsman Program in International Studies andBusiness, and obtained his J.D. and M.B.A. from VanderbiltUniversity Law School and the Vanderbilt University Owen School ofManagement. Alex is an industry-recognized expert on HR technology,the benefits industry, small business operations and softwaredevelopment.