Can I pay the PCORI fee electronically?

Yes, you can pay the PCORI fee electronically. You can use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).

Do I owe a PCORI fee if I offer both an ICHRA and a group health plan?

Yes, you need to pay a PCORI fee if you offer an ICHRA. The PCORI fee for ICHRA is separate if the group plan is a fully-insured plan, as PCORI only applies to self-funded models. If you offer a self-funded plan alongside an ICHRA to different employees, and they share the same plan year, you can combine them for PCORI fee reporting purposes. Count the average number of participating employees and dependents for the self-funded plan plus the average number of participating ICHRA employees.

How can employers reduce employee benefit costs without cutting benefits?

Employers can reduce benefit costs by offering more cost-controlled options, such as health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), evaluating underutilized benefits, and consolidating multiple perks into flexible stipend programs. These strategies can help lower expenses while maintaining employee satisfaction.

How can an HRA help during a recession?

An HRA can help employers manage healthcare spending during economic uncertainty by providing predictable monthly costs and eliminating unexpected group health insurance renewal increases. This allows organizations to maintain valuable health benefits while protecting their budgets.

Is an HRA cheaper than traditional group health insurance?

For many employers, an HRA can be more affordable than traditional group health insurance because there are no minimum contribution requirements or participation requirements, and employers have complete control over their benefit budget by using a defined contribution model. Actual savings depend on company size, employee demographics, and benefit design.

Can an HRA replace group health insurance?

Yes. A qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA) or individual coverage HRA (ICHRA) can serve as an alternative to traditional group health insurance. Employees use the benefit to purchase their own qualifying individual health coverage and receive tax-free reimbursements from their employer for premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs.

What employee benefits do workers value most during economic uncertainty?

Health insurance, healthcare benefits, retirement savings programs, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, and long-term disability insurance are consistently among the most valued employee benefits. During periods of economic uncertainty, benefits that help employees manage healthcare, living, and household expenses become even more important.

Chase Charaba

Chase Charaba is the Director of Content & Brand at Remodel Health and PeopleKeep, where he brings four years of expertise in writing about HRAs and health benefits. Having personally used both QSEHRA and ICHRA as an employee, Chase offers a unique perspective on how these solutions empower small employers and their teams. With experience in both digital marketing agencies and in-house teams, Chase combines strategic SEO insight with creative storytelling. Outside of work, he’s an aspiring fiction author and landscape photographer.

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