ACA Forms 1094-B and 1095-B

When we last met around the ExpressIRSForms blog fireplace, we scratched the surface of the new Affordable Care Act forms that are required to be filed beginning in 2016 with the 2015 tax year. As a part of our ACA blog series, we’re going to focus today on Form 1095-B.

Who Needs to File?
Usually when we talk about who needs to file the IRS’s ACA forms, we talk about employers. While most employers will need to file, Form 1095-B is for the providers of insurance who aren’t employers. Form 1095-B is filed by every person that provides MEC to an individual during a calendar year. Health insurance issuers and carriers must file this for most health insurance coverage, including individual market coverage, coverage for employees obtained through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), and insured coverage sponsored by employers (this refers to smaller employers who aren’t required to file themselves).

This may seem like a lot, however, there are some instances when you won’t need to report information to the IRS. Insurance issuers and carriers don’t need to report coverage provided under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, Medicare (including Medicare Advantage), or the Basic Health Program; these types of coverage are reported by the government sponsors of these programs. You also aren’t required to file Form 1095-B to report coverage in individual market qualified health plans that individuals enroll in through Health Insurance Marketplaces.

What Information is Needed?
In order to complete Form 1095-B, you will need the following information:

• The complete name, EIN, address, telephone number, and contact information of the filer (that’s you)
• The total number of Forms 1095-B that you’re filing
• The complete name, SSN or date of birth, and address of each recipient
• If you’re reporting Employer Sponsored Coverage or coverage provided by another issuer, you’ll need their name, EIN, address, and contact information
• What type of coverage was offered to your recipients broken down by month

E-Filing vs. Paper Filing
If you need to file 250 or more 1095-B forms, you will have to e-file. The IRS recommends e-filing anyway because e-filing is generally quicker, easier, and leaves less room for error. Plus, think of all the paper you’ll save. If, however, you must file by paper, Form 1094-B, Transmittal of Health Coverage Information Returns, must be sent to the IRS along with your 1095-B forms. On this form, you’ll include all of your identifying and contact information, as well as the number of 1095-B forms accompanying your Form 1094-B. When you e-file with ExpressIRSForms, we’ll automatically fill out a virtual copy of Form 1094-B based on the information you enter and send it to the IRS with your 1095-B forms.

Form 1095-B Deadlines
Your 1095-B forms will be sent out at the beginning of each year to report on the previous year, similar to income tax returns. Your recipients will need to receive their copies of Form 1095-B by January 31st. In 2016, however, they will be due by February 1st, since January 31st is a Sunday. If you’re paper filing, your Forms 1094- and 1095-B will need to be filed with the IRS by the last day of February; and if you’re e-filing, these forms will need to be sent to the IRS by March 31st.

If you have any other questions regarding Form 1095-B, any of the other ACA forms, or the e-filing process, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ExpressIRSForms support team. We’re available by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. We’re also available 24/7 via email support at support@expressirsforms.com!