On Dec. 22, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced extended deadlines for 2017 Minimum Essential Coverage (Section 6055) and Large Employer Shared Responsibility (Section 6056) reporting due to individuals in early 2018. The extended deadlines are as follows:

2017 Forms Sent to Individuals – Form 1095-B or 1095-C

Original Deadline – 1/31/2018 

Extended Deadline – 3/2/2018

Employers and insurers are encouraged to provide forms to individuals as soon as possible, but no later than March 2, 2018. Individuals who file their 2017 federal income tax returns before receiving their 1095-B and 1095-C forms will not be required to amend their income tax returns once they receive their forms. They should keep their forms, once received, with their tax records.

It is important to note the IRS has not extended the due date for filing 2017 Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, or 1095-C with the IRS. The deadline remains February 28, 2018, for those with 250 or fewer forms filing by paper, or April 2, 2018, if filing electronically.

The IRS also extended its transition relief with respect to penalties if good faith efforts are made to comply with information reporting requirements.

Who’s responsible for MEC and Large Employer Reporting to individuals?

For fully insured plans, the insurance company is responsible for completing Form 1095-B for MEC reporting on individuals covered under our insured medical plans.

Applicable Large Employers (i.e., employers with 50 or more full-time and full-time equivalent employees on average during the prior year) are responsible for completing Form 1095-C to report group health coverage they offered full-time employees and their dependents. Employers with self-funded medical plans should also use the C forms for reporting MEC on individuals covered under their self-funded plans.