§ 9831. General exceptions

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 1996

   Pub. L. 104–191 title IV § 401(a) · 110 Stat. 1936

   Enacted · 26 U.S.C. § 9831

   Added Pub. L. 104–191, title IV, § 401(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2080, § 9804

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Added Pub. L. 104–191, title IV, § 401(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2080, § 9804

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) In General.— The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subtitle: “Subtitle K— Group Health Plan Portability, Access, and Renewability Requirements “Chapter 100. Group health plan portability, access, and renewability requirements. “CHAPTER 100— GROUP HEALTH PLAN PORTABILITY, ACCESS, AND RENEWABILITY REQUIREMENTS “Sec. 9801. Increased portability through limitation on preexisting condition exclusions. “Sec. 9802. Prohibiting discrimination against individual participants and beneficiaries based on health status. “Sec. 9803. Guaranteed renewability in multiemployer plans and certain multiple employer welfare arrangements. “Sec. 9804. General exceptions. “Sec. 9805. Definitions. “Sec. 9806. Regulations. “SEC. 9801. INCREASED PORTABILITY THROUGH LIMITATION ON PREEXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSIONS. “(a) Limitation on Preexisting Condition Exclusion Period; Crediting for Periods of Previous Coverage.— Subject to subsection (d), a group health plan may, with respect to a participant or beneficiary, impose a preexisting condition exclusion only if— “(1) such exclusion relates to a condition (whether physical or mental), regardless of the cause of the condition, for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 6-month period ending on the enrollment date; “(2) such exclusion extends for a period of not more than 12 months (or 18 months in the case of a late enrollee) after the enrollment date; and “(3) the period of any such preexisting condition exclusion is reduced by the length of the aggregate of the periods of creditable coverage (if any) applicable to the participant or beneficiary as of the enrollment date. “(b) Definitions.— For purposes of this section— “(1) Preexisting condition exclusion.— “(A) In general.— The term ‘preexisting condition exclusion’ means, with respect to coverage, a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to a condition based on the fact that the condition was present before the date of enrollment for such coverage, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before such date. “(B) Treatment of genetic information.— For purposes of this section, genetic information shall not be treated as a condition described in subsection (a)(1) in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to such information. “(2) Enrollment date.— The term ‘enrollment date’ means, with respect to an individual covered under a group health plan, the date of enrollment of the individual in the plan or, if earlier, the first day of the waiting period for such enrollment. “(3) Late enrollee.— The term ‘late enrollee’ means, with respect to coverage under a group health plan, a participant or beneficiary who enrolls under the plan other than during— “(A) the first period in which the individual is eligible to enroll under the plan, or “(B) a special enrollment period under subsection (f). “(4) Waiting period.— The term ‘waiting period’ means, with respect to a group health plan and an individual who is a potential participant or beneficiary in the plan, the period that must pass with respect to the individual before the individual is eligible to be covered for benefits under the terms of the plan. “(c) Rules Relating to Crediting Previous Coverage.— “(1) Creditable coverage defined.— For purposes of this part, the term ‘creditable coverage’ means, with respect to an individual, coverage of the individual under any of the following: “(A) A group health plan. “(B) Health insurance coverage. “(C) Part A or part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. “(D) Title XIX of the Social Security Act, other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under section 1928. “(E) Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code. “(F) A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization. “(G) A State health benefits risk pool. “(H) A health plan offered under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code. “(I) A public health plan (as defined in regulations). “(J) A health benefit plan under section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(e)). Such term does not include coverage consisting solely of coverage of excepted benefits (as defined in section 9805(c)). “(2) not counting periods before significant breaks in Coverage.— “(A) In general.— A period of creditable coverage shall not be counted, with respect to enrollment of an individual under a group health plan, if, after such period and before the enrollment date, there was a 63-day period during all of which the individual was not covered under any creditable coverage. “(B) Waiting period not treated as a break in coverage.— For purposes of subparagraph (A) and subsection (d)(4), any period that an individual is in a waiting period for any coverage under a group health plan or is in an affiliation period shall not be taken into account in determining the continuous period under subparagraph (A). “(C) Affiliation period.— “(i) In general.— For purposes of this section, the term ‘affiliation period’ means a period which, under the terms of the health insurance coverage offered by the health maintenance organization, must expire before the health insurance coverage becomes effective. During such an affiliation period, the organization is not required to provide health care services or benefits and no premium shall be charged to the participant or beneficiary. “(ii) Beginning.— Such period shall begin on the enrollment date. “(iii) Runs concurrently with waiting periods.— Any such affiliation period shall run concurrently with any waiting period under the plan. “(3) Method of crediting coverage.— “(A) Standard method.— Except as otherwise provided under subparagraph (B), for purposes of applying subsection (a)(3), a group health plan shall count a period of creditable coverage without regard to the specific benefits for which coverage is offered during the period. “(B) Election of alternative method.— A group health plan may elect to apply subsection (a)(3) based on coverage of any benefits within each of several classes or categories of benefits specified in regulations rather than as provided under subparagraph (A). Such election shall be made on a uniform basis for all participants and beneficiaries. Under such election a group health plan shall count a period of creditable coverage with respect to any class or category of benefits if any level of benefits is covered within such class or category. “(C) Plan notice.— In the case of an election with respect to a group health plan under subparagraph (B), the plan shall— “(i) prominently state in any disclosure statements concerning the plan, and state to each enrollee at the time of enrollment under the plan, that the plan has made such election, and “(ii) include in such statements a description of the effect of this election. “(4) Establishment of period.— Periods of creditable coverage with respect to an individual shall be established through presentation of certifications described in subsection (e) or in such other manner as may be specified in regulations. “(d) Exceptions.— “(1) Exclusion not applicable to certain newborns.— Subject to paragraph (4), a group health plan may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion in the case of an individual who, as of the last day of the 30-day period beginning with the date of birth, is covered under creditable coverage. “(2) Exclusion not applicable to certain adopted children.— Subject to paragraph (4), a group health plan may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion in the case of a child who is adopted or placed for adoption before attaining 18 years of age and who, as of the last day of the 30-day period beginning on the date of the adoption or placement for adoption, is covered under creditable coverage. The previous sentence shall not apply to coverage before the date of such adoption or placement for adoption. “(3) Exclusion not applicable to pregnancy.— For purposes of this section, a group health plan may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion relating to pregnancy as a preexisting condition. “(4) Loss if break in coverage.— Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall no longer apply to an individual after the end of the first 63-day period during all of which the individual was not covered under any creditable coverage. “(e) Certifications and Disclosure of Coverage.— “(1) Requirement for certification of period of creditable coverage.— “(A) In general.— A group health plan shall provide the certification described in subparagraph (B)— “(i) at the time an individual ceases to be covered under the plan or otherwise becomes covered under a COBRA continuation provision, “(ii) in the case of an individual becoming covered under such a provision, at the time the individual ceases to be covered under such provision, and “(iii) on the request on behalf of an individual made not later than 24 months after the date of cessation of the coverage described in clause (i) or (ii), whichever is later. The certification under clause (i) may be provided, to the extent practicable, at a time consistent with notices required under any applicable COBRA continuation provision. “(B) Certification.— The certification described in this subparagraph is a written certification of— “(i) the period of creditable coverage of the individual under such plan and the coverage under such COBRA continuation provision, and “(ii) the waiting period (if any) (and affiliation period, if applicable) imposed with respect to the individual for any coverage under such plan. “(C) Issuer compliance.— To the extent that medical care under a group health plan consists of health insurance coverage offered in connection with the plan, the plan is deemed to have satisfied the certification requirement under this paragraph if the issuer provides for such certification in accordance with this paragraph. “(2) Disclosure of information on previous benefits.— “(A) In general.— In the case of an election described in subsection (c)(3)(B) by a group health plan, if the plan enrolls an individual for coverage under the plan and the individual provides a certification of coverage of the individual under paragraph (1)— “(i) upon request of such plan, the entity which issued the certification provided by the individual shall promptly disclose to such requesting plan information on coverage of classes and categories of health benefits available under such entity’s plan, and “(ii) such entity may charge the requesting plan or issuer for the reasonable cost of disclosing such information. “(3) Regulations.— The Secretary shall establish rules to prevent an entity’s failure to provide information under paragraph (1) or (2) with respect to previous coverage of an individual from adversely affecting any subsequent coverage of the individual under another group health plan or health insurance coverage. “(f) Special Enrollment Periods.— “(1) Individuals losing other coverage.— A group health plan shall permit an employee who is eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage under the terms of the plan (or a dependent of such an employee if the dependent is eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage under such terms) to enroll for coverage under the terms of the plan if each of the following conditions is met: “(A) The employee or dependent was covered under a group health plan or had health insurance coverage at the time coverage was previously offered to the employee or individual. “(B) The employee stated in writing at such time that coverage under a group health plan or health insurance coverage was the reason for declining enrollment, but only if the plan sponsor (or the health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with the plan) required such a statement at such time and provided the employee with notice of such requirement (and the consequences of such requirement) at such time. “(C) The employee’s or dependent’s coverage described in subparagraph (A)— “(i) was under a COBRA continuation provision and the coverage under such provision was exhausted; or “(ii) was not under such a provision and either the coverage was terminated as a result of loss of eligibility for the coverage (including as a result of legal separation, divorce, death, termination of employment, or reduction in the number of hours of employment) or employer contributions toward such coverage were terminated. “(D) Under the terms of the plan, the employee requests such enrollment not later than 30 days after the date of exhaustion of coverage described in subparagraph (C)(i) or termination of coverage or employer contribution described in subparagraph (C)(ii). “(2) For Dependent Beneficiaries.— “(A) In general.— If— “(i) a group health plan makes coverage available with respect to a dependent of an individual, “(ii) the individual is a participant under the plan (or has met any waiting period applicable to becoming a participant under the plan and is eligible to be enrolled under the plan but for a failure to enroll during a previous enrollment period), and “(iii) a person becomes such a dependent of the individual through marriage, birth, or adoption or placement for adoption, the group health plan shall provide for a dependent special enrollment period described in subparagraph (B) during which the person (or, if not otherwise enrolled, the individual) may be enrolled under the plan as a dependent of the individual, and in the case of the birth or adoption of a child, the spouse of the individual may be enrolled as a dependent of the individual if such spouse is otherwise eligible for coverage. “(B) Dependent special enrollment period.— The dependent special enrollment period under this subparagraph shall be a period of not less than 30 days and shall begin on the later of— “(i) the date dependent coverage is made available, or “(ii) the date of the marriage, birth, or adoption or placement for adoption (as the case may be) described in subparagraph (A)(iii). “(C) No waiting period.— If an individual seeks coverage of a dependent during the first 30 days of such a dependent special enrollment period, the coverage of the dependent shall become effective— “(i) in the case of marriage, not later than the first day of the first month beginning after the date the completed request for enrollment is received; “(ii) in the case of a dependent’s birth, as of the date of such birth; or “(iii) in the case of a dependent’s adoption or placement for adoption, the date of such adoption or placement for adoption. “SEC. 9802. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES BASED ON HEALTH STATUS. “(a) In Eligibility to Enroll.— “(1) In general.— Subject to paragraph (2), a group health plan may not establish rules for eligibility (including continued eligibility) of any individual to enroll under the terms of the plan based on any of the following factors in relation to the individual or a dependent of the individual: “(A) Health status. “(B) Medical condition (including both physical and mental illnesses). “(C) Claims experience. “(D) Receipt of health care. “(E) Medical history. “(F) Genetic information. “(G) Evidence of insurability (including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence). “(H) Disability. “(2) No application to benefits or exclusions.— To the extent consistent with section 9801, paragraph (1) shall not be construed— “(A) to require a group health plan to provide particular benefits (or benefits with respect to a specific procedure, treatment, or service) other than those provided under the terms of such plan; or “(B) to prevent such a plan from establishing limitations or restrictions on the amount, level, extent, or nature of the benefits or coverage for similarly situated individuals enrolled in the plan or coverage. “(3) Construction.— For purposes of paragraph (1), rules for eligibility to enroll under a plan include rules defining any applicable waiting periods for such enrollment. “(b) In Premium Contributions.— “(1) In general.— A group health plan may not require any individual (as a condition of enrollment or continued enrollment under the plan) to pay a premium or contribution which is greater than such premium or contribution for a similarly situated individual enrolled in the plan on the basis of any factor described in subsection (a)(1) in relation to the individual or to an individual enrolled under the plan as a dependent of the individual. “(2) Construction.— Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed— “(A) to restrict the amount that an employer may be charged for coverage under a group health plan; or “(B) to prevent a group health plan from establishing premium discounts or rebates or modifying otherwise applicable copayments or deductibles in return for adherence to programs of health promotion and disease prevention. “SEC. 9803. GUARANTEED RENEWABILITY IN MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS AND CERTAIN MULTIPLE EMPLOYER WELFARE ARRANGEMENTS. “(a) In General.— A group health plan which is a multiemployer plan (as defined in section 414(f)) or which is a multiple employer welfare arrangement may not deny an employer continued access to the same or different coverage under such plan, other than— “(1) for nonpayment of contributions; “(2) for fraud or other intentional misrepresentation of material fact by the employer; “(3) for noncompliance with material plan provisions; “(4) because the plan is ceasing to offer any coverage in a geographic area; “(5) in the case of a plan that offers benefits through a network plan, because there is no longer any individual enrolled through the employer who lives, resides, or works in the service area of the network plan and the plan applies this paragraph uniformly without regard to the claims experience of employers or a factor described in section 9802(a)(1) in relation to such individuals or their dependents; or “(6) for failure to meet the terms of an applicable collective bargaining agreement, to renew a collective bargaining or other agreement requiring or authorizing contributions to the plan, or to employ employees covered by such an agreement. “(b) Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement.— For purposes of subsection (a), the term ‘multiple employer welfare arrangement’ has the meaning given such term by section 3(40) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this section. “SEC. 9804. GENERAL EXCEPTIONS. “(a) Exception for Certain Plans.— The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to— “(1) any governmental plan, and “(2) any group health plan for any plan year if, on the first day of such plan year, such plan has less than 2 participants who are current employees. “(b) Exception for Certain Benefits.— The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any group health plan in relation to its provision of excepted benefits described in section 9805(c)(1). “(c) Exception for Certain Benefits if Certain Conditions Met.— “(1) Limited, excepted benefits.— The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any group health plan in relation to its provision of excepted benefits described in section 9805(c)(2) if the benefits— “(A) are provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance; or “(B) are otherwise not an integral part of the plan. “(2) Noncoordinated, excepted benefits.— The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any group health plan in relation to its provision of excepted benefits described in section 9805(c)(3) if all of the following conditions are met: “(A) The benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance. “(B) There is no coordination between the provision of such benefits and any exclusion of benefits under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor. “(C) Such benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits are provided with respect to such an event under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor. “(3) Supplemental excepted benefits.— The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any group health plan in relation to its provision of excepted benefits described in section 9805(c)(4) if the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance. “SEC. 9805. DEFINITIONS. “(a) Group Health Plan.— For purposes of this chapter, the term ‘group health plan’ has the meaning given to such term by section 5000(b)(1). “(b) Definitions Relating To Health Insurance.— For purposes of this chapter— “(1) Health insurance coverage.— “(A) In general.— Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term ‘health insurance coverage’ means benefits consisting of medical care (provided directly, through insurance or reimbursement, or otherwise) under any hospital or medical service policy or certificate, hospital or medical service plan contract, or health maintenance organization contract offered by a health insurance issuer. “(B) No application to certain excepted benefits.— In applying subparagraph (A), excepted benefits described in subsection (c)(1) shall not be treated as benefits consisting of medical care. “(2) Health insurance issuer.— The term ‘health insurance issuer’ means an insurance company, insurance service, or insurance organization (including a health maintenance organization, as defined in paragraph (3)) which is licensed to engage in the business of insurance in a State and which is subject to State law which regulates insurance (within the meaning of section 514(b)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this section). Such term does not include a group health plan. “(3) Health maintenance organization.— The term ‘health maintenance organization’ means— “(A) a federally qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in section 1301(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300e(a))), “(B) an organization recognized under State law as a health maintenance organization, or “(C) a similar organization regulated under State law for solvency in the same manner and to the same extent as such a health maintenance organization. “(c) Excepted Benefits.— For purposes of this chapter, the term ‘excepted benefits’ means benefits under one or more (or any combination thereof) of the following: “(1) Benefits not subject to requirements.— “(A) Coverage only for accident, or disability income insurance, or any combination thereof. “(B) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance. “(C) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance. “(D) Workers’ compensation or similar insurance. “(E) Automobile medical payment insurance. “(F) Credit-only insurance. “(G) Coverage for on-site medical clinics. “(H) Other similar insurance coverage, specified in regulations, under which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits. “(2) benefits not subject to requirements if offered separately.— “(A) Limited scope dental or vision benefits. “(B) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, community-based care, or any combination thereof. “(C) Such other similar, limited benefits as are specified in regulations. “(3) Benefits not subject to requirements if offered as independent, noncoordinated benefits.— “(A) Coverage only for a specified disease or illness. “(B) Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance. “(4) Benefits not subject to requirements if offered as separate insurance policy.— Medicare supplemental health insurance (as defined under section 1882(g)(1) of the Social Security Act), coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, and similar supplemental coverage provided to coverage under a group health plan. “(d) Other definitions.— For purposes of this chapter— “(1) COBRA continuation provision.— The term ‘COBRA continuation provision’ means any of the following: “(A) Section 4980B, other than subsection (f)(1) thereof insofar as it relates to pediatric vaccines. “(B) Part 6 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1161 et seq.), other than section 609 of such Act. “(C) Title XXII of the Public Health Service Act. “(2) Governmental plan.— The term ‘governmental plan’ has the meaning given such term by section 414(d). “(3) Medical care.— The term ‘medical care’ has the meaning given such term by section 213(d) determined without regard to— “(A) paragraph (1)(C) thereof, and “(B) so much of paragraph (1)(D) thereof as relates to qualified long-term care insurance. “(4) Network plan.— The term ‘network plan’ means health insurance coverage of a health insurance issuer under which the financing and delivery of medical care are provided, in whole or in part, through a defined set of providers under contract with the issuer. “(5) Placed for adoption defined.— The term ‘placement’, or being ‘placed’, for adoption, in connection with any placement for adoption of a child with any person, means the assumption and retention by such person of a legal obligation for total or partial support of such child in anticipation of adoption of such child. The child’s placement with such person terminates upon the termination of such legal obligation. “SEC. 9806. REGULATIONS. “The Secretary, consistent with section 104 of the Health Care Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, may promulgate such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The Secretary may promulgate any interim final rules as the Secretary determines are appropriate to carry out this chapter.”.

2. 1997

   Pub. L. 105–34 title XV § 1531(a)(2) · 111 Stat. 788

   Substituted · 26 U.S.C. § 9831

   Pub. L. 105–34 renumbered section 9804 of this title as this section and substituted reference to section 9832 of this title for reference to section 9805 of this title in subsecs. (b) and (c)(1) to (3)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 105–34 renumbered section 9804 of this title as this section and substituted reference to section 9832 of this title for reference to section 9805 of this title in subsecs. (b) and (c)(1) to (3).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) by redesignating sections 9804, 9805, and 9806 as sections 9831, 9832, and 9833, respectively,

3. 2016

   Increasing Choice, Access, and Quality in Health Care for Americans Act

   Pub. L. 114–255 div. C title XVIII § 18001(a)(1) · 130 Stat. 1033

   Added · 26 U.S.C. § 9831(d)

   Pub. L. 114–255 added subsec. (d)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–255 added subsec. (d).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) In general.— Section 9831 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: “(d) Exception for Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements.— “(1) In general.— For purposes of this title (except as provided in section 4980I(f)(4) and notwithstanding any other provision of this title), the term ‘group health plan’ shall not include any qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement. “(2) Qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement.— For purposes of this subsection— “(A) In general.— The term ‘qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement’ means an arrangement which— “(i) is described in subparagraph (B), and “(ii) is provided on the same terms to all eligible employees of the eligible employer. “(B) Arrangement described.— An arrangement is described in this subparagraph if— “(i) such arrangement is funded solely by an eligible employer and no salary reduction contributions may be made under such arrangement, “(ii) such arrangement provides, after the employee provides proof of coverage, for the payment of, or reimbursement of, an eligible employee for expenses for medical care (as defined in section 213(d)) incurred by the eligible employee or the eligible employee’s family members (as determined under the terms of the arrangement), and “(iii) the amount of payments and reimbursements described in clause (ii) for any year do not exceed $4,950 ($10,000 in the case of an arrangement that also provides for payments or reimbursements for family members of the employee). “(C) Certain variation permitted.— For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), an arrangement shall not fail to be treated as provided on the same terms to each eligible employee merely because the employee’s permitted benefit under such arrangement varies in accordance with the variation in the price of an insurance policy in the relevant individual health insurance market based on— “(i) the age of the eligible employee (and, in the case of an arrangement which covers medical expenses of the eligible employee’s family members, the age of such family members), or “(ii) the number of family members of the eligible employee the medical expenses of which are covered under such arrangement. The variation permitted under the preceding sentence shall be determined by reference to the same insurance policy with respect to all eligible employees. “(D) Rules relating to maximum dollar limitation.— “(i) Amount prorated in certain cases.— In the case of an individual who is not covered by an arrangement for the entire year, the limitation under subparagraph (B)(iii) for such year shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to the amount which would (but for this clause) be in effect for such individual for such year under subparagraph (B)(iii) as the number of months for which such individual is covered by the arrangement for such year bears to 12. “(ii) Inflation adjustment.— In the case of any year beginning after 2016, each of the dollar amounts in subparagraph (B)(iii) shall be increased by an amount equal to— “(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by “(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting ‘calendar year 2015’ for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B) thereof. If any dollar amount increased under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such dollar amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50. “(3) Other definitions.— For purposes of this subsection— “(A) Eligible employee.— The term ‘eligible employee’ means any employee of an eligible employer, except that the terms of the arrangement may exclude from consideration employees described in any clause of section 105(h)(3)(B) (applied by substituting ‘90 days’ for ‘3 years’ in clause (i) thereof). “(B) Eligible employer.— The term ‘eligible employer’ means an employer that— “(i) is not an applicable large employer as defined in section 4980H(c)(2), and “(ii) does not offer a group health plan to any of its employees. “(C) Permitted benefit.— The term ‘permitted benefit’ means, with respect to any eligible employee, the maximum dollar amount of payments and reimbursements which may be made under the terms of the qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement for the year with respect to such employee. “(4) Notice.— “(A) In general.— An employer funding a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement for any year shall, not later than 90 days before the beginning of such year (or, in the case of an employee who is not eligible to participate in the arrangement as of the beginning of such year, the date on which such employee is first so eligible), provide a written notice to each eligible employee which includes the information described in subparagraph (B). “(B) Contents of notice.— The notice required under subparagraph (A) shall include each of the following: “(i) A statement of the amount which would be such eligible employee’s permitted benefit under the arrangement for the year. “(ii) A statement that the eligible employee should provide the information described in clause (i) to any health insurance exchange to which the employee applies for advance payment of the premium assistance tax credit. “(iii) A statement that if the employee is not covered under minimum essential coverage for any month the employee may be subject to tax under section 5000A for such month and reimbursements under the arrangement may be includible in gross income.” .

4. 2017

   Pub. L. 115–97 title I § 11002(d)(1)(TT) · 131 Stat. 2054

   Substituted · 26 U.S.C. § 9831(d)(2)(D)(ii)(II)

   Pub. L. 115–97 substituted “for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B)”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (d)(2)(D)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 115–97 substituted “for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B)”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (TT) Section 9831(d)(2)(D)(ii)(II).

5. 2019

   Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

   Pub. L. 116–94 div. N title I § 503(b)(2) · 133 Stat. 2534

   Struck · 26 U.S.C. § 9831(d)(1)

   Pub. L. 116–94 struck out “except as provided in section 4980I(f)(4)” before “and notwithstanding any other provision of this title”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 116–94 struck out “except as provided in section 4980I(f)(4)” before “and notwithstanding any other provision of this title”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (b) No part of any appropriation contained in this Act or transferred pursuant to section 4002 of Public Law 111–148 shall be used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to influence the enactment of legislation, appropriations, regulation, administrative action, or Executive order proposed or pending before the Congress or any State government, State legislature or local legislature or legislative body, other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships or participation by an agency or officer of a State, local or tribal government in policymaking and administrative processes within the executive branch of that government.

   Effective date note
   Amendment by Pub. L. 116–94 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2019, see section 503(c) of Pub. L. 116–94, set out as a note under section 6051 of this title.

6. 2026

   Pub. L. 119–75 div. J title VII § 6701(c)(2) · 140 Stat. 732

   Inserted · 26 U.S.C. § 9831(a)(2)

   Pub. L. 119–75 inserted “other than with respect to section 9826 of this title,” before “any group health plan”

   Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–75 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 119–75 inserted “other than with respect to section 9826 of this title,” before “any group health plan”.

5 of 6 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 unresolved