Health Insurance Providers Fee, 14034-14046 [2013-04836]

Agencies

• Internal Revenue Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 42 (Monday, March 4, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14034-14046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04836]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 57

[REG-118315-12]
RIN 1545-BL20


Health Insurance Providers Fee

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations that provide 
guidance on the annual fee imposed on covered entities engaged in the 
business of providing health insurance for United States health risks. 
This fee is imposed by section 9010 of the Patient Protection and 
Affordable Care Act, as amended. The regulations affect persons engaged 
in the business of providing health insurance for United States health 
risks.

DATES: Written or electronic comments must be received by June 3, 2013. 
Requests to speak and outlines of topics to be discussed at the public 
hearing scheduled for June 21, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., must be received by 
June 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-118315-12), Internal 
Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 
20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through Friday between 
the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-118315-12), 
Courier's Desk Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC, or sent electronically via the IRS Internet site via 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov (IRS REG-118315-
12). The public hearing will be held in the IRS Auditorium at the 
Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the substance of the 
regulation, Charles J. Langley, Jr. at (202) 622-3130; concerning the 
submission of comments or the public hearing, Oluwafunmilayo (Funmi) 
Taylor at (202) 622-7180 (not toll-free calls).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The collection of information contained in this notice of proposed 
rulemaking has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget 
for review in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3507(d)). Comments on the collection of information should be 
sent to the Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with copies to the Internal Revenue 
Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, 
Washington, DC 20224. Comments on the collection of information should 
be received by May 3, 2013. Comments are specifically requested 
concerning:
    Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the Internal Revenue Service, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    The accuracy of the estimated burden associated with the proposed 
collection of information;
    How the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected may be enhanced;
    How the burden of complying with the proposed collection of 
information may be minimized, including through the application of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology; and
    Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, 
maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.
    The collection of information in this proposed regulation is in 
Sec.  57.2(e)(2) and requires certain entities to maintain records of 
consent for a designated entity. This information is necessary to 
evaluate whether an entity has consented to the designation of another 
entity to report its net premiums written. The likely respondents are 
entities in the business of providing health insurance for United 
States health risks.
    Estimated total annual reporting and/or recordkeeping burden: 400 
hours.
    Estimated average annual burden hours per respondent and/or 
recordkeeper varies from .25 hours to 1 hour, depending on individual 
circumstances, with an estimated average of .5 hours.
    Estimated number of respondents and/or recordkeepers: 800.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid 
control number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget.
    Books or records relating to a collection of information must be 
retained as long as their contents may become material in the 
administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and 
tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.

Background

    This document proposes to add the Health Insurance Providers Fee 
Regulations to the Code of Federal Regulations (26 CFR part 57) under 
section 9010 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), 
Public Law 111-148 (124 Stat. 119 (2010)), as amended by section 10905 
of PPACA, and as further amended by section 1406 of the Health Care and 
Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152 (124 Stat. 
1029 (2010)) (collectively, the Affordable Care Act or ACA). All 
references in this preamble to section 9010 are references to the ACA. 
Section 9010 did not amend the Internal Revenue Code (Code) but 
contains cross-references to specified Code sections. Unless otherwise 
indicated, all other references to subtitles, chapters, subchapters, 
and sections in this preamble are references to subtitles, chapters, 
subchapters, and sections in the Code and related regulations. All 
references to ``fee'' in the proposed regulations are references to the 
fee imposed by section 9010.

Statutory Provisions

    Section 9010(a) imposes an annual fee on each covered entity 
engaged in the business of providing health insurance. The fee is due 
by the annual date specified by the Secretary of the Treasury or his 
delegate (Secretary), but in no event later than September 30th of each 
calendar year in which a fee must be paid (fee year).
    Section 9010(c)(1) provides that a covered entity is any entity 
that provides health insurance for any United States health risk during 
each fee year. Section 9010(c)(2) excludes the following entities from 
being covered entities: (A) Any employer to the extent that the 
employer self-insures its employees' health risks; (B) any governmental 
entity; (C) any entity (i) that is incorporated as a nonprofit 
corporation under a State law, (ii) no part of the net earnings of 
which inures

[[Page 14035]]

to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial 
part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise 
attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in 
section 501(h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in, 
any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate 
for public office, and (iii) more than 80 percent of the gross revenues 
of which is received from government programs that target low-income, 
elderly, or disabled populations under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of 
the Social Security Act; and (D) any entity that is described in 
section 501(c)(9) (a voluntary employees' beneficiary association 
(VEBA)) and is established by an entity (other than by an employer or 
employers) for purposes of providing health care benefits.
    Section 9010(c)(3)(A) provides a controlled group rule under which 
all persons treated as a single employer under section 52(a) or (b) or 
section 414(m) or (o) are treated as a single covered entity. If any 
entity described in section 9010(c)(2)(C) or (D) (relating to certain 
nonprofit corporations and non-employer-established VEBAs) is treated 
as included in a covered entity by reason of the application of section 
9010(c)(3)(A), then the net premiums written for health insurance for 
any United States health risk of that entity are not taken into 
account.
    Section 9010(c)(3)(B) provides that, for purposes of section 
9010(c)(3)(A), in applying section 52(a) and (b), section 1563 is 
applied without regard to section 1563(b)(2)(C). As a result, a foreign 
entity subject to tax under section 881 can also be part of a 
controlled group that is treated as a single covered entity under 
section 9010(c)(3)(A). Section 9010(c)(4) provides that, if more than 
one person is liable to pay the fee on a single covered entity by 
reason of the application of the controlled group rule, then all such 
persons are jointly and severally liable for payment of the fee.
    Section 9010 imposes the fee on each covered entity engaged in the 
business of providing health insurance for United States health risks. 
Section 9010(h)(3) excludes from health insurance any insurance 
coverage described in section 9832(c)(1)(A) (accident only or 
disability only or any combination thereof), any insurance coverage 
described in section 9832(c)(3) (coverage only for a specified disease 
or illness and hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance), 
any insurance for long-term care, or any Medicare supplemental health 
insurance (as defined in section 1882(g)(1) of the Social Security 
Act). Other than providing for these exclusions, section 9010 does not 
define health insurance.
    Section 9010(d) defines United States health risk to mean a health 
risk of any individual who is: (1) A United States citizen; (2) a 
resident of the United States (within the meaning of section 
7701(b)(1)(A)); or (3) located in the United States, during the period 
such individual is so located. Section 9010(h)(2) defines United States 
for purposes of section 9010 as the 50 States, the District of 
Columbia, and the possessions of the United States.
    Section 9010(b) and (e) provide rules for determining the amount of 
the annual fee for each covered entity. Under section 9010(e)(1), the 
aggregate fee amount for all covered entities (referred to as the 
applicable amount) is $8 billion for calendar year 2014, $11.3 billion 
for calendar years 2015 and 2016, $13.9 billion for calendar year 2017, 
and $14.3 billion for calendar year 2018. Under section 9010(e)(2), the 
applicable amount for calendar year 2019 and thereafter is the 
applicable amount for the preceding calendar year increased by the rate 
of premium growth (within the meaning of section 36B(b)(3)(A)(ii)) for 
the preceding calendar year. Section 9010(b)(1) requires the applicable 
amount for each year to be allocated, using a specified formula, among 
covered entities with aggregate net premiums written of over $25 
million.
    Section 9010(b)(1) provides that the annual fee for each covered 
entity is calculated by determining the ratio of (1) the covered 
entity's net premiums written for health insurance for any United 
States health risk that are taken into account during the preceding 
calendar year to (2) the aggregate net premiums written for such health 
insurance of all covered entities that are taken into account during 
the preceding calendar year. This ratio is then applied to the 
applicable amount.
    Under section 9010(b)(2)(A), the amount of net premiums written 
that is taken into account for each covered entity per calendar year is 
0 percent of net premiums written up to and including $25 million, 50 
percent of net premiums written that are more than $25 million but not 
more than $50 million, and 100 percent of net premiums written that are 
over $50 million. Additionally, after the application of the dollar 
thresholds of section 9010(b)(2)(A), section 9010(b)(2)(B) excludes 
from the amount taken into account 50 percent of the remaining net 
premiums written for health insurance that are attributable to the 
activities (other than activities of an unrelated trade or business as 
defined in section 513) of any covered entity qualifying under section 
501(c)(3), (4), (26), or (29) and exempt from tax under section 501(a).
    Section 9010(b)(3) requires the Secretary to calculate the amount 
of each covered entity's fee for any calendar year. In calculating the 
fee, the Secretary must determine each covered entity's net premiums 
written for United States health risks based on reports submitted to 
the Secretary by the covered entity and through the use of any other 
source of information available to the Secretary.
    Section 9010(g)(1) requires that, not later than the date 
determined by the Secretary following the end of the calendar year 
preceding the fee year, each covered entity must report to the 
Secretary, in such manner as the Secretary prescribes, the covered 
entity's net premiums written for health insurance for any United 
States health risk for that preceding calendar year.
    Section 9010(g)(2)(A) imposes a penalty on a covered entity for any 
failure to report the required information by the date prescribed by 
the Secretary (determined with regard to any extension of time for 
filing), unless such failure is due to reasonable cause. The penalty is 
$10,000 plus the lesser of (i) an amount equal to $1,000, multiplied by 
the number of days during which the failure continues, or (ii) the 
amount of the fee for which the report was required. Section 
9010(g)(2)(B) provides that the failure to report penalty (i) is 
treated as a penalty for purposes of subtitle F, (ii) must be paid on 
notice and demand by the Secretary and in the same manner as a tax 
under the Code, and (iii) is a penalty for which only civil actions for 
refund under procedures of subtitle F apply.
    Section 9010(g)(3)(A) imposes an accuracy-related penalty on a 
covered entity for any understatement of the covered entity's net 
premiums written on the required report. Section 9010(g)(3)(B) defines 
an understatement as the difference between the amount of net premiums 
written reported by the covered entity and the amount of net premiums 
written that should have been reported. The penalty is equal to the 
excess of (i) the amount of the covered entity's fee for the fee year 
that the Secretary determines should have been paid in the absence of 
the understatement, over (ii) the amount of the fee that the Secretary 
determined based on the understatement. Section 9010(g)(3)(C) subjects 
the accuracy-related penalty to the provisions of

[[Page 14036]]

subtitle F that apply to assessable penalties imposed under chapter 68.
    Section 9010(g)(4) provides that section 6103 (relating to the 
disclosure of returns and return information) does not apply to any 
information reported under section 9010(g).
    Section 9010(f)(1) treats the fee as an excise tax for purposes of 
subtitle F to which only civil actions for refund apply. Section 
9010(f)(2) treats the fee as a tax described in section 275(a)(6) 
(relating to taxes for which no deduction is allowed).
    Section 9010(i) directs the Secretary to publish guidance necessary 
to carry out the purposes of section 9010 and to prescribe such 
regulations as are necessary or appropriate to prevent avoidance of the 
purposes of section 9010, including inappropriate actions taken to 
qualify as an exempt entity under section 9010(c)(2).
    Section 9010(j) provides that section 9010 is effective for 
calendar years beginning after December 31, 2013.

Explanation of Provisions

I. Overview

    The proposed regulations provide guidance on the annual fee imposed 
on covered entities engaged in providing health insurance for United 
States health risks. Generally, each covered entity with aggregate net 
premiums written over $25 million in the calendar year immediately 
preceding the fee year (referred to in the proposed regulations as the 
data year) is liable for the annual fee due by September 30th of each 
fee year in an amount determined by the IRS under section 9010(b) and 
the proposed regulations.

II. Explanation of Terms

    The proposed regulations define numerous terms used in section 9010 
and in these regulations, including the following key terms:
A. Covered Entity
    Section 9010(c)(1) provides that a covered entity is any entity 
that provides health insurance for any United States health risk during 
the fee year. The proposed regulations define the term covered entity 
to mean any entity with net premiums written for health insurance for 
United States health risks during the fee year that is (1) A health 
insurance issuer within the meaning of section 9832(b)(2); (2) a health 
maintenance organization within the meaning of section 9832(b)(3); (3) 
an insurance company that is subject to tax under part I or II of 
subchapter L, or that would be subject to tax under part I or II of 
subchapter L but for the entity being exempt from tax under section 
501(a); (4) an insurer that provides health insurance under Medicare 
Advantage, Medicare Part D, or Medicaid; or (5) a non-fully insured 
multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA). Under section 9832(b)(2), 
the term health insurance issuer generally refers to any insurance 
company, insurance service, or insurance organization that is subject 
to State laws that regulate insurance within the meaning of section 
514(b)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(ERISA). Under section 9832(b)(3), the term health maintenance 
organization generally refers to an organization that is recognized or 
regulated under State or Federal law as a health maintenance 
organization.
    As previously noted, the proposed regulations provide that a 
covered entity includes a MEWA within the meaning of section 3(40) of 
ERISA, to the extent that the MEWA is not a fully-insured MEWA, 
regardless of whether the MEWA is subject to regulation under State 
insurance law. In the case of a fully-insured MEWA, the MEWA is not a 
covered entity for purposes of section 9010 because, even though the 
MEWA receives premiums, it uses those premiums to pay an insurance 
company to provide the coverage being purchased. In this case, the 
insurance company is the covered entity because it, and not the MEWA, 
is providing health insurance. If the MEWA is not fully-insured, 
however, the MEWA is a covered entity for purposes of section 9010 to 
the extent that the premiums received by the MEWA are not used to pay 
an insurance company to provide the coverage being purchased (and are 
used instead by the MEWA to provide the health insurance itself). For 
example, if a MEWA received a $10,000 premium payment from a 
participating employer providing both major medical coverage and 
separate vision coverage for an individual participant, and the MEWA 
used $9,000 of that premium payment to pay the premium to cover such 
individual under a group insurance policy purchased from an insurance 
company and associated costs, and $1,000 to pay direct reimbursements 
under the vision plan and associated costs directly, then the MEWA 
would be treated as a covered entity only with respect to the $1,000 
portion of the premium intended to pay the MEWA for providing the 
vision coverage itself.
    The proposed regulations exclude certain other MEWAs from the 
definition of a covered entity in accordance with one of the exclusions 
from the MEWA reporting requirements administered by the Department of 
Labor (DOL). Specifically, the proposed regulations would exclude MEWAs 
that are exempt from reporting under 29 CFR 2520.101-2(c)(2)(ii)(B).\1\ 
This section of the DOL regulations generally excludes a MEWA that 
provides coverage to the employees of two or more employers due to a 
change in control of businesses (such as a merger or acquisition) that 
occurs for a purpose other than to avoid the reporting requirements and 
does not extend beyond a limited time. This type of MEWA is excluded 
from the definition of covered entity because it is temporary in nature 
and exempt from DOL reporting requirements.
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    \1\ These final regulations were issued in 2003. In 2011, DOL 
proposed new regulations under these same sections. The analogous 
section in the 2011 proposed regulations that describes the MEWAs 
intended to be excluded from the definition of covered entity is 
also Sec.  2520.101-2(c)(2)(ii)(B) (RIN 1210-AB51). See 76 FR 76222. 
If and when the DOL finalizes these proposed regulations, the 
Treasury Department and the IRS intend to apply the new provision 
(or any analogous provision if modified in the final rule).
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    The proposed regulations provide that, solely for purposes of 
section 9010, an Entity Claiming Exception (ECE) is subject to the same 
regime addressing MEWAs. Therefore, under the proposed regulations, a 
fully insured ECE is excluded from the definition of covered entity, 
but a non-fully insured ECE is treated as a covered entity to the 
extent the ECE is not insured. An ECE is defined in 29 CFR 2520.101-
2(b) as an entity that claims it is not a MEWA on the basis that the 
entity is established or maintained pursuant to one or more agreements 
that the Secretary of Labor finds to be collective bargaining 
agreements within the meaning of section 3(40)(A)(i) of ERISA and 29 
CFR 2510.3-40.
    Currently, in a number of States, entities have been established to 
make coverage for medical care available to high-risk individuals who 
may not have access to coverage in the open market. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS invite comments on the organization and 
structure of these entities, whether they would be considered covered 
entities under the general definition, and the extent to which they 
would qualify for exclusions under the proposed regulations.
B. Excluded Entities
1. Self-Insured Employer
    Section 9010(c)(2)(A) excludes any entity that is a self-insured 
employer to the extent that such employer self-insures its employees' 
health risks. The proposed regulations define the term self-insured 
employer to mean an

[[Page 14037]]

employer that sponsors a self-insured medical reimbursement plan within 
the meaning of Sec.  1.105-11(b)(1)(i) and (ii) of the Income Tax 
Regulations. This includes an arrangement in which an employer provides 
self-insured employee health benefits to former employees, such as 
retired employees, or provides self-insured employee health benefits 
through an organization described in section 501(c)(9) (a VEBA). The 
proposed regulations clarify that a self-insured plan may use a third 
party for administration and bookkeeping functions and still be 
considered self-insured if there is no shifting of risk to the third 
party as described in Sec.  1.105-11(b)(1)(ii).
2. Governmental Entities
    Section 9010(c)(2)(B) excludes any governmental entity. The 
proposed regulations define the term governmental entity to mean (1) 
The United States, (2) any State, (3) the District of Columbia, (4) any 
possession of the United States, (5) any political subdivision of any 
of the foregoing (as defined for purposes of section 103), (6) any 
Indian tribal government (as defined in section 7701(a)(40)) or a 
subdivision thereof (determined in accordance with section 7871(d)), or 
(7) any public agency that is created by a State or a political 
subdivision, organized as a nonprofit under State law, and contracts 
with the State to administer State Medicaid benefits through local 
providers or health maintenance organizations. See Joint Committee on 
Taxation, General Explanation of Tax Legislation Enacted by the 111th 
Congress, JCS-2-11 (March 2011) (JCT General Explanation) at 330.
    A State health department or State insurance commission would be 
included within the meaning of governmental entity under section 9010. 
The proposed regulations do not include instrumentalities (within the 
meaning of Rev. Rul. 57-128, 1957-1 C.B. 311, see Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)) of a governmental entity in the definition of 
governmental entity. Instrumentalities that provide health insurance 
may qualify for other exclusions under section 9010, such as the 
exclusion for employers that self-insure their employees' health risks 
(section 9010(c)(2)(A)), the exclusion for certain nonprofit 
corporations (section 9010(c)(2)(C)), and the partial exclusion for 
certain high-risk insurance pools described in section 501(c)(26) 
(section 9010(b)(2)(B)). The Treasury Department and the IRS invite 
comments on the types of instrumentalities, if any, that would be 
considered covered entities under the general definition and the extent 
to which they would qualify for exclusions consistent with the statute.
3. Certain Nonprofit Corporations
    In accordance with section 9010(c)(2)(C), the proposed regulations 
exclude any entity that (1) Is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation 
under State law, (2) meets certain requirements designed to ensure that 
the net earnings of the entity are not distributed to private parties 
and that the entity does not engage in political campaign activity or 
substantial lobbying, and (3) receives more than 80 percent of its 
gross revenues from government programs that target low-income, 
elderly, or disabled populations under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of 
the Social Security Act (which include Medicare, Medicaid, the 
Children's Health Insurance Plan, and dual eligible plans). An entity 
is not required to be exempt from tax under section 501(a) to qualify 
for this exception. However, because the provisions of section 
9010(c)(2)(C)(ii) relating to private inurement, lobbying, and 
political campaign activity are the same as those provisions applicable 
to organizations described in section 501(c)(3), for purposes of 
applying these requirements, the proposed regulations adopt the 
standards set forth under section 501(c)(3) and the regulations 
thereunder. In accordance with section 9010(c)(2)(C)(ii), the proposed 
regulations provide that, for an entity that is exempt from tax under 
section 501(a) and is described in section 501(h)(3), the determination 
of whether the entity has engaged in substantial lobbying for purposes 
of section 9010(c)(2)(C)(ii) will be made under section 501(h).
    The Treasury Department and the IRS invite comments with respect to 
how this exclusion is applied.
4. Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Associations (VEBAs)
    In accordance with section 9010(c)(2)(D), the proposed regulations 
explicitly exclude any VEBA that is established by an entity other than 
an employer or employers for the purpose of providing health care 
benefits, such as a union. Also, if a MEWA or ECE provides health 
benefits through a VEBA, the VEBA is not a covered entity. Furthermore, 
if an employer or employers provide self-insured employee health 
benefits through a VEBA, the VEBA is not a covered entity because the 
exclusion for self-insured employers under section 9010(c)(2)(A) 
applies. If a VEBA purchases health insurance to cover the 
beneficiaries of the VEBA, the VEBA is not a covered entity because the 
issuer providing the health insurance that the VEBA purchases is the 
covered entity subject to the fee rather than the VEBA. Therefore, the 
Treasury Department and the IRS are not aware of any VEBAs that would 
be covered entities under the proposed regulations. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS invite comments on the types of VEBAs, if any, 
that do not fall within the exclusions and therefore would be covered 
entities.
5. Educational Institutions and Student Health Insurance
    Many educational institutions establish or administer programs that 
provide students with access to health insurance. In most instances, 
however, the educational institution uses premiums it receives from 
students to purchase insurance from a separate, unrelated issuer. This 
unrelated issuer and not the educational institution will be a covered 
entity for purposes of section 9010 and it will include the premiums 
paid by or on behalf of those students for purposes of determining the 
amount payable under section 9010. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
invite comments on the circumstances, if any, under which an 
educational institution might qualify as a covered entity that is 
subject to the fee and not eligible for an exclusion (for example, a 
self-insured student health plan).
C. Controlled Groups
1. In General
    The proposed regulations define the term controlled group as a 
group of two or more persons, including at least one person that is a 
covered entity, that are treated as a single employer under section 
52(a), 52(b), 414(m), or 414(o). To clarify how to treat persons that 
leave or enter a controlled group, the proposed regulations provide 
that, for purposes of section 9010, a person is treated as a member of 
the controlled group if it is a member of the group at the end of the 
day on December 31st of the data year. In accordance with section 
9010(c)(3), the proposed regulations treat a controlled group as a 
single covered entity for purposes of the fee. In determining net 
premiums written for health insurance for United States health risks of 
a controlled group, the controlled group generally must take into 
account the net premiums written for all members for the entire data 
year.
2. Designated Entities
    The proposed regulations provide that each controlled group must 
have a designated entity, defined as a person within the controlled 
group that is

[[Page 14038]]

designated to act on behalf of the controlled group with regard to the 
fee. The proposed regulations further provide that if the controlled 
group, without regard to foreign corporations included under section 
9010(c)(3)(B), is also an affiliated group that filed a consolidated 
return for Federal income tax purposes, the designated entity is the 
common parent of the affiliated group identified on the tax return 
filed for the data year. If the controlled group is not an affiliated 
group that files a consolidated return for Federal income tax purposes, 
it may select a person as the designated entity on Form 8963, ``Report 
of Health Insurance Provider Information.'' The proposed regulations 
require only the designated entity to report on behalf of the 
controlled group. However, the proposed regulations also require each 
member of a controlled group to maintain a record of its consent to the 
designated entity selection. The proposed regulations also require the 
designated entity to maintain a record of all member consents. If the 
controlled group does not select a person as a designated entity on its 
Form 8963, the IRS will select a person as a designated entity for the 
controlled group and advise the designated entity accordingly.
D. Health Insurance
1. In General
    Section 9010 does not define health insurance, providing in section 
9010(h)(3) only that health insurance does not include coverage only 
for accident, or disability income insurance, or any combination 
thereof as described in section 9832(c)(1)(A); coverage only for a 
specified disease or illness and hospital indemnity or other fixed 
indemnity insurance as described in section 9832(c)(3); insurance for 
long-term care; or Medicare supplemental health insurance (as defined 
in section 1882(g)(1) of the Social Security Act). The only definition 
of health insurance or health insurance coverage in the Code is the 
definition of health insurance coverage in section 9832(b)(1)(A) for 
purposes of Chapter 100. The language of section 9832(b)(1)(A) is 
substantially similar to the only definition of health insurance 
coverage referenced in the ACA.\2\ Accordingly, the proposed 
regulations define the term health insurance by reference to section 
9832(b)(1)(A) to mean benefits consisting of medical care (provided 
directly, through insurance, 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. The proposed regulations exclude 
from the term health insurance all of the excepted benefits listed in 
section 9832(c) except for section 9832(c)(2)(A) (limited scope dental 
and vision benefits). In accordance with the explanation provided by 
the Joint Committee on Taxation, the proposed regulations include 
limited dental and vision coverage as health insurance for purposes of 
the fee. See JCT General Explanation at 331.
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    \2\ See ACA section 1301(b)(2), referencing section 2791(b) of 
the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) (42 U.S.C. 300gg-91). The 
definition of health insurance coverage in section 2791(b) of the 
PHSA is substantially similar to the one provided in section 
9832(b)(1)(A) of the Code.
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    The proposed regulations also provide that, solely for purposes of 
section 9010, indemnity reinsurance is not health insurance. Thus, the 
fee continues to be imposed on the issuing company. For this purpose, 
the proposed regulations define the term indemnity reinsurance to mean 
an agreement between two or more insurance companies under which the 
reinsuring company agrees to accept and to indemnify the issuing 
company for all or part of the risk of loss under policies specified in 
the agreement, and the issuing company retains its liability to, and 
its contractual relationship with, the individuals whose health risks 
are insured under the policies specified in the agreement. No inference 
is intended as to whether indemnity reinsurance may constitute health 
insurance for other purposes.
2. Student Administrative Health Fee Arrangements
    Many educational institutions have arrangements under which the 
educational institution, other than through an insured arrangement, 
charges student administrative health fees to students on a periodic 
basis to help cover the cost of student health clinic operations and 
care delivery (regardless of whether the student uses the clinic and 
regardless of whether the student purchases any available student 
health insurance coverage). These arrangements are different from 
premiums and cost-sharing for group health plans and health insurance 
coverage because all students pay the fee regardless of whether they 
have student health insurance. Therefore, these arrangements do not 
constitute health insurance for purposes of section 9010. For a similar 
conclusion regarding other Federal laws applicable to student health 
insurance, see Student Health Insurance Coverage, 77 FR 16453, 16455-56 
(March 21, 2012) (Department of Health and Human Services regulations 
establishing requirements for student health insurance coverage under 
the Public Health Service Act and ACA).
3. Travel Insurance
    The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that certain travel 
insurance products may include limited health benefits. However, the 
term travel insurance does not have a definition for tax purposes and 
in other contexts has applied to a differing variety of products with 
different types of coverage, including some products providing only 
incidental health benefits. To assist in determining which types of 
travel-related insurance products provide health insurance for purposes 
of section 9010, the proposed regulations explicitly exclude travel 
insurance, defined as coverage for personal risks incident to planned 
travel, which may include, but is not limited to, interruption or 
cancellation of a trip or event, loss of baggage or personal effects, 
damages to accommodations or rental vehicles, and sickness, accident, 
disability, or death occurring during travel, provided that the health 
benefits are not offered on a stand-alone basis and are incidental to 
other coverage. For this purpose, travel insurance does not include 
major medical plans, which provide comprehensive medical protection for 
travelers with trips lasting 6 months or longer, including, for 
example, those working overseas as an expatriate or military personnel 
being deployed. This definition is a modified version of the National 
Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) definition of travel 
insurance.
4. Retiree-only Health Plans
    The proposed regulations do not provide any special exceptions 
related to health insurance provided under a plan covering only retired 
employees. These types of arrangements are not subject to the 
requirements of Chapter 100 of the Code, not because they do not 
provide health insurance or because retiree-only coverage is an 
excepted benefit, but because of an exception in section 9831(a)(2) for 
group health plans having fewer than two current employees. This 
exception is not relevant in determining whether the insurance provided 
is health insurance for purposes of section 9010, which covers issuers 
of health insurance regardless of whether the insurance is provided 
under a group health plan. Therefore, health insurance provided under 
these arrangements is health insurance for purposes of section 9010. 
However, an employer providing

[[Page 14039]]

coverage to former employees, such as retired employees, under a self-
insured arrangement generally would qualify for the exclusion for self-
insured employers. See section II.B.1 of this preamble.
E. Net Premiums Written
    The fee each year is based on each covered entity's share of net 
premiums written for health insurance of United States health risks 
during the data year. Section 9010 does not define net premiums 
written. The proposed regulations define the term net premiums written 
to mean premiums written, including reinsurance premiums written, 
reduced by reinsurance ceded, and reduced by ceding commissions and 
medical loss ratio (MLR) rebates with respect to the data year. Because 
indemnity reinsurance is not considered health insurance for purposes 
of section 9010, net premiums written does not include premiums written 
for indemnity reinsurance (and is not reduced by indemnity reinsurance 
ceded). See section II.D.1 of this preamble. However, net premiums 
written does include premiums written (and excludes premiums ceded) for 
assumption reinsurance; that is, reinsurance for which there is a 
novation and the reinsurer takes over the entire risk pursuant to a new 
contract. Thus, for covered entities that file the Supplemental Health 
Care Exhibit (SHCE) with the NAIC, net premiums written for health 
insurance generally will equal the amount reported on the SHCE as 
direct premiums written minus MLR rebates with respect to the data 
year, subject to any applicable exclusions under section 9010 such as 
exclusions from the term health insurance. This definition of net 
premiums written for purposes of section 9010 differs from net adjusted 
premiums reported on the SHCE, which takes into account premiums from 
ceded and assumed reinsurance. Under current NAIC reporting rules, the 
amount reported as direct premiums written on the SHCE does not include 
ceding commissions, and thus there is no need to reduce direct premiums 
written for ceding commissions in determining net premiums written. 
However, the SHCE separately accounts for any expected reductions in 
premiums resulting from MLR rebates with respect to the data year. 
These amounts are subtracted from direct premiums written in 
determining net premiums written. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
invite comments on how to compute MLR rebates with respect to the data 
year using data reported on the SHCE.
F. United States Health Risk
    In accordance with section 9010(d), the proposed regulations define 
the term United States health risk to mean the health risk of any 
individual who is (1) A United States citizen, (2) a resident of the 
United States (within the meaning of section 7701(b)(1)(A)), or (3) 
located in the United States, with respect to the period such 
individual is so located.
    For purposes of determining whether an individual is located in the 
United States, the proposed regulations, in accordance with section 
9010(h)(2), define the term United States to mean the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, and any possession of the United States. The 
proposed regulations further define the term located in the United 
States to mean present in the United States under section 7701(b)(7) 
(for presence in the 50 States and the District of Columbia) or Sec.  
1.937-1(c)(3)(i) (for presence in a possession of the United States). 
Subject to certain exceptions, those rules generally treat an 
individual as present in the United States on any day if the individual 
is physically present in the United States at any time during such day.
    Section 9010(d)(2) refers to ``resident of the United States 
(within the meaning of section 7701(b)(1)(A)).'' Under section 7701(b), 
the term United States means the 50 States and the District of 
Columbia, but it does not include the possessions of the United States. 
See section 7701(a)(9). Therefore, under the proposed regulations, this 
narrower definition of United States applies for determining who is a 
``resident of the United States (within the meaning of section 
7701(b)(1)(A)).'' Regardless of the narrower scope of resident of the 
United States, the Treasury Department and the IRS note that the term 
United States health risk includes the health risks of individuals in 
the possessions of the United States since they will either be United 
States citizens or considered as located in the United States.
    Recognizing the unique characteristics of plans covering 
expatriates, the Treasury Department and the IRS seek specific comments 
on how the rules proposed in these regulations apply to such plans.

III. Reporting Requirements, Associated Penalties, and Disclosure

    Section 9010(g)(1) requires each covered entity to report its net 
premiums written for health insurance for United States health risks 
during the data year. The proposed regulations require each covered 
entity, including each controlled group that is treated as a single 
covered entity, to annually report its net premiums written for health 
insurance of United States health risks during the data year to the IRS 
by May 1st of the fee year on Form 8963, ``Report of Health Insurance 
Provider Information,'' in accordance with the instructions for the 
form. A covered entity with net premiums written under the $25 million 
threshold is not liable for a fee but must still report its net 
premiums written. The proposed regulations authorize the IRS to provide 
rules for the manner of reporting (including reporting by designated 
entities on behalf of controlled groups) in other guidance published in 
the Internal Revenue Bulletin.
    Section 9010(g)(2) imposes a penalty for failing to timely submit a 
report containing the required information unless the covered entity 
can show that the failure is due to reasonable cause. Section 
9010(g)(3) imposes an accuracy-related penalty for any understatement 
of a covered entity's net premiums written. The proposed regulations 
clarify that these penalties are in addition to the fee.
    Section 9010(g)(4) provides that section 6103 (relating to the 
disclosure of returns and return information) does not apply to any 
information reported by the covered entities under section 9010(g). The 
Treasury Department and the IRS are considering making available to the 
public the information reported on Form 8963, ''Report of Health 
Insurance Provider Information,'' including the identity of the covered 
entity and the amount of its net premiums written, at the time the 
notice of preliminary fee calculation is sent. The Treasury Department 
and the IRS invite comments on which reported information the IRS 
should make publicly available.

IV. Fee Calculation

    Under section 9010 and the proposed regulations, the IRS will 
calculate a covered entity's fee based on the ratio of the covered 
entity's net premiums written that are taken into account to the total 
net premiums written taken into account of all covered entities. For 
each covered entity, the IRS will not take into account the first $25 
million of net premiums written. The IRS will take into account 50 
percent of the net premiums written for amounts over $25 million and up 
to $50 million and 100 percent of the net premiums written over $50 
million. Thus, for any covered entity with net premiums written of $50 
million or more, the IRS will not take into account the first $37.5 
million of net premiums written. Also, because a

[[Page 14040]]

controlled group is treated as a single covered entity, this reduction 
applies, in the aggregate, to the net premiums written of the entire 
controlled group. Additionally, after this reduction, if the covered 
entity (or any member of a controlled group treated as a single covered 
entity) is exempt from tax by section 501(a) and is described in 
section 501(c)(3) (generally, a charity), (4) (generally, a social 
welfare organization), (26) (generally, a high-risk health insurance 
pool), or (29) (a consumer operated and oriented plan (CO-OP) health 
insurance issuer), the IRS will take into account only 50 percent of 
the remaining net premiums written of that entity (or member) that are 
attributable to its exempt activities. The proposed regulations further 
provide that, in the case of a controlled group, the IRS will not take 
into account any net premiums written of any member that is a nonprofit 
corporation meeting the requirements of Sec.  57.2(b)(2)(iii) of the 
proposed regulations or a VEBA meeting the requirements of Sec.  
57.2(b)(2)(iv).
    Under the proposed regulations, the IRS will determine net premiums 
written based on the reports submitted by covered entities and any 
other source of information available to the IRS. Most covered entities 
are expected to file the SHCE, which supplements the annual statement 
filed with the NAIC under applicable State law. For these covered 
entities, net premiums written for health insurance generally will 
equal the amount reported on that exhibit as direct premiums written 
minus MLR rebates with respect to the data year, subject to any 
applicable exclusions under section 9010 such as exclusions from the 
term ``health insurance.'' In addition to the SHCE, other sources of 
information that the IRS may use to determine net premiums written 
include the NAIC annual statement, the Accident and Health Policy 
Experience Exhibit filed with the NAIC, and the MLR Annual Reporting 
Form filed with the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Center for 
Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight of the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services. The proposed regulations further provide 
that the entire amount reported on the SHCE as direct premiums written 
will be considered to be for United States health risks unless the 
covered entity can demonstrate otherwise. The Treasury Department and 
the IRS invite comments on this approach.

V. Notice of Preliminary Fee Calculation

    The proposed regulations provide that the IRS will send each 
covered entity a notice of preliminary fee calculation each fee year 
that will include the covered entity's allocated fee; the covered 
entity's net premiums written for health insurance of United States 
health risks; the covered entity's net premiums written for health 
insurance of United States health risks taken into account after the 
application of Sec.  57.4(a)(4); the aggregate net premiums written for 
health insurance of United States health risks taken into account for 
all covered entities; and a reference to the error correction process 
set forth in other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. 
The date by which the IRS will send the preliminary fee calculation 
notice will be specified in other guidance published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin.

VI. Error Correction Process

    The proposed regulations establish an error correction process that 
allows a covered entity to submit error correction reports in response 
to the preliminary fee calculation for the IRS to consider before 
performing a final fee calculation. The IRS will specify in other 
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin the format for 
error correction report submissions and the date by which a covered 
entity must submit an error correction report. In the interest of 
providing finality to the fee calculation process, no additional error 
correction reports will be accepted after the end of the established 
error correction period.

VII. Notification of Final Fee Calculation and Payment

    Section 9010(a) requires the annual fee to be paid by the annual 
date specified by the Secretary, but in no event later than September 
30th of each fee year. The proposed regulations provide that the IRS 
will send each covered entity its final fee calculation for a fee year 
no later than August 31st of that fee year, and that the covered entity 
must pay the fee by September 30th by electronic funds transfer. This 
notification will include the covered entity's allocated fee, the 
covered entity's net premiums written for health insurance of United 
States health risks, the covered entity's net premiums written for 
health insurance of United States health risks taken into account after 
the application of Sec.  57.4(a)(4), the aggregate net premiums written 
for health insurance of United States health risks taken into account 
for all covered entities, and the final determination on the covered 
entity's error correction report.
    Even if a covered entity did not file an error correction report, a 
covered entity's final fee may differ from a covered entity's 
preliminary fee because of information discovered about that covered 
entity through other information sources. In addition, a change in 
aggregate net premiums written for health insurance of United States 
health risks can affect each covered entity's fee because each covered 
entity's fee is a fraction of the aggregate fee collected from all 
covered entities.
    There is no tax return to be filed with the payment of the fee.

VIII. Tax Treatment of Fee

    Section 9010(f)(1) treats the fee for purposes of subtitle F of the 
Code (sections 6001-7874) as an excise tax to which only civil actions 
for refund apply. Thus, under the proposed regulations, the fee is 
treated as an excise tax for purposes of subtitle F to which the 
deficiency procedures of sections 6211 through 6216 do not apply. The 
proposed regulations require the IRS to assess the amount of the fee 
for any fee year within three years of September 30th of that fee year.
    Section 9010(f)(2) treats the fee as a tax described in section 
275(a)(6) (relating to taxes for which no deduction is allowed). The 
Treasury Department and the IRS received comments stating that covered 
entities may attempt to recover a large portion of the fee from 
policyholders, either by a corresponding increase in premiums or by 
separately charging policyholders for a portion of the fee. Some 
comments requested guidance that recovered fee amounts are excluded 
from the gross income of covered entities. The income tax treatment of 
recovered fee amounts is outside the scope of the proposed regulations. 
However, under section 61(a), gross income means all income from 
whatever source derived unless a provision of the Code or other law 
specifically excludes the payment from gross income. No exclusion 
provision applies to the recovered fee amount. Therefore, the covered 
entity's gross income includes fees recovered from policyholders, 
whether or not separately stated on any bill. The Treasury Department 
and the IRS invite comments on whether the text of the regulations 
should be revised to clarify that recovered fee amounts are included in 
a covered entity's gross income.

IX. Refund Claims

    The proposed regulations require any claim for refund to be filed 
on Form 843, ``Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement.''

[[Page 14041]]

Proposed Effective/Applicability Date

    These regulations are proposed to apply with respect to any fee 
that is due on or after September 30, 2014.

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is 
not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 
12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a 
regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that 
section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) 
does not apply to these regulations. It is hereby certified that the 
collection of information in these regulations will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
This certification is based on the fact that these regulations 
primarily affect large corporations. Thus, the Treasury Department and 
the IRS do not expect a substantial number of small entities to be 
affected. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required. 
Pursuant to section 7805(f), this notice of proposed rulemaking has 
been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Comments and Public Hearing

    Before the proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, 
consideration will be given to any written (a signed original and eight 
(8) copies) or electronic comments that are submitted timely to the 
IRS. The Treasury Department and the IRS invite comments on all aspects 
of the proposed regulations. All comments will be available for public 
inspection and copying.
    A public hearing has been scheduled for June 21, 2013, at 10:00 
a.m., in the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. Due to building security 
procedures, visitors must enter at the Constitution Avenue entrance. In 
addition, all visitors must present photo identification to enter the 
building. Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted 
beyond the immediate entrance area more than 15 minutes before the 
hearing starts. For information about having your name placed on the 
building access list to attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble.
    The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) apply to the hearing. Persons who 
wish to present oral comments at the hearing must submit electronic or 
written comments and submit an outline of the topics to be discussed 
and the time to be devoted to each topic (signed original and eight (8) 
copies) by June 3, 2013. A period of 10 minutes will be allotted to 
each person for making comments. An agenda showing the scheduling of 
speakers will be prepared after the deadline for receiving outlines has 
passed. Copies of the agenda will be available free of charge at the 
hearing.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of these regulations is Charles J. Langley, 
Jr., Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special 
Industries). However, other personnel from the Treasury Department and 
the IRS participated in their development.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 57

    Health Insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR chapter I is proposed to be amended by adding 
part 57 to subchapter D to read as follows:

PART 57--HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS FEE

Sec.
57.0 Table of contents.
57.1 Overview.
57.2 Explanation of terms.
57.3 Reporting requirements and associated penalties.
57.4 Fee calculation.
57.5 Notice of preliminary fee calculation.
57.6 Error correction process.
57.7 Notification and fee payment.
57.8 Tax treatment of fee.
57.9 Refund claims.
57.10 Effective/applicability date.
57.6302-1 Method of paying the health insurance providers fee.


    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805; sec. 9010, Pub. L. 111-148 (124 Stat. 
119 (2010)).

    Section 57.7 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 6302(a). Section 
57.6302-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 6302(a).

Sec.  57.0 Table of contents.
    This section lists the captions contained in Sec. Sec.  57.1 
through 57.10 and Sec.  57.6302-1.
Sec.  57.1 Overview.
Sec.  57.2 Explanation of terms.
    (a) In general.
    (b) Covered entity.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Exclusions.
    (i) Self-insured employer.
    (ii) Governmental entity.
    (iii) Certain nonprofit corporations.
    (iv) Certain voluntary employees' beneficiary associations.
    (3) State.
    (c) Controlled groups.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Special rules.
    (d) Data year.
    (e) Designated entity.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Selection of designated entity.
    (i) Choice of controlled group.
    (ii) Requirement for affiliated groups; common parent.
    (f) Fee.
    (g) Fee year.
    (h) Health insurance.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Exclusions.
    (3) Student administrative health fee arrangement.
    (4) Travel insurance.
    (5) Reinsurance.
    (i) Indemnity reinsurance.
    (ii) Assumption reinsurance.
    (i) Located in the United States.
    (j) NAIC.
    (k) Net premiums written.
    (l) SHCE.
    (m) United States.
    (n) United States health risk.
Sec.  57.3 Reporting requirements and associated penalties.
    (a) Reporting requirement.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Manner of reporting.
    (b) Penalties.
    (1) Failure to report.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Amount.
    (iii) Reasonable cause.
    (iv) Treatment of penalty.
    (2) Accuracy-related penalty.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Amount.
    (iii) Understatement.
    (iv) Treatment of penalty.
    (3) Controlled groups.
Sec.  57.4 Fee calculation.
    (a) Fee components.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Calculation of net premiums written.
    (3) Applicable amount.
    (4) Net premiums written taken into account.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Controlled groups.
    (iii) Partial reduction for certain exempt activities.
    (b) Determination of net premiums written.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Presumption for United States health risks.
    (c) Determination of amounts taken into account.
    (d) Allocated fee calculated.
Sec.  57.5 Notice of preliminary fee calculation.

[[Page 14042]]

    (a) Content of notice.
    (b) Timing of notice.
Sec.  57.6 Error correction process.
    (a) In general.
    (b) Time and manner.
Sec.  57.7 Notification and fee payment.
    (a) Content of notice.
    (b) Timing of notice.
    (c) Differences in preliminary fee calculation and final 
calculation.
    (d) Payment of final fee.
    (e) Controlled groups.
Sec.  57.8 Tax treatment of fee.
    (a) Treatment as an excise tax.
    (b) Deficiency procedures.
    (c) Limitation on assessment.
    (d) Application of section 275.
Sec.  57.9 Refund claims.
Sec.  57.10 Effective/Applicability date.
Sec.  57.6302-1 Method of paying the health insurance providers fee.
    (a) Fee to be paid by electronic funds transfer.
    (b) Effective/Applicability date.
Sec.  57.1 Overview.
    (a) The regulations in this part 57 are designated ``Health 
Insurance Providers Fee Regulations.''
    (b) The regulations in this part 57 provide guidance on the annual 
fee imposed on covered entities engaged in the business of providing 
health insurance by section 9010 of the Patient Protection and 
Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Public Law 111-148 (124 Stat. 119 (2010)), 
as amended by section 10905 of PPACA, and as further amended by section 
1406 of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, 
Public Law 111-152 (124 Stat. 1029 (2010)) (collectively, the 
Affordable Care Act or ACA). All references to section 9010 in these 
proposed regulations are references to section 9010 of the ACA, as 
amended. Unless otherwise indicated, all other references to subtitles, 
chapters, subchapters, and sections are references to subtitles, 
chapters, subchapters and sections in the Internal Revenue Code and the 
related regulations.
    (c) Section 9010(e)(1) sets an applicable fee amount for each year, 
beginning with 2014, that will be apportioned among covered entities 
with aggregate net premiums written over $25 million for health 
insurance for United States health risks. Generally, each covered 
entity is liable for a fee in each fee year that is based on its net 
premiums written during the data year in an amount determined by the 
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the rules of this part.


Sec.  57.2  Explanation of terms.

    (a) In general. This section explains the terms used in this part 
for purposes of the fee.
    (b) Covered entity--(1) In general. Except as provided under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the term covered entity means any 
entity with net premiums written for health insurance for United States 
health risks in the fee year if the entity is--
    (i) A health insurance issuer within the meaning of section 
9832(b)(2), defined in section 9832(b)(2) to include an insurance 
company, insurance service, or insurance organization that is required 
to be licensed to engage in the business of insurance in a State and 
that is subject to the respective laws of such jurisdictions that 
regulate insurance (within the meaning of section 514(b)(2) of the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA));
    (ii) A health maintenance organization within the meaning of 
section 9832(b)(3), defined in section 9832(b)(3)(A)-(C) to include--
    (A) A Federally qualified health maintenance organization (as 
defined in section 1301(a) of the Public Health Service Act);
    (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;
    (iii) An insurance company subject to tax under part I or II of 
subchapter L, or that would be subject to tax under part I or II of 
subchapter L but for the entity being exempt from tax under section 
501(a);
    (iv) An entity that provides health insurance under Medicare 
Advantage, Medicare Part D, or Medicaid; or
    (v) A multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA), within the 
meaning of section 3(40) of ERISA, to the extent not fully insured, 
provided that for this purpose a covered entity does not include a MEWA 
that is excepted from reporting under 29 CFR 2520.101-2(c)(2)(ii)(B). 
Solely for purposes of the application of section 9010, an Entity 
Claiming Exception (defined in 29 CFR 2520.101-2(b)) is treated as a 
MEWA.
    (2) Exclusions--(i) Self-insured employer. A covered entity does 
not include any entity that is a self-insured employer to the extent 
that such entity self-insures its employees' health risks. The term 
self-insured employer means an employer that sponsors a self-insured 
medical reimbursement plan within the meaning of Sec.  1.105-
11(b)(1)(i) of this chapter. Self-insured medical reimbursement plans 
include plans that do not involve shifting risk to an unrelated third 
party as described in Sec.  1.105-11(b)(1)(ii) of this chapter. A self-
insured plan may use an insurance company or other third party to 
provide administrative or bookkeeping functions.
    (ii) Governmental entity. A covered entity does not include any 
governmental entity. For this purpose, the term governmental entity 
means--
    (A) The United States;
    (B) Any State or a political subdivision thereof (as defined for 
purposes of section 103) including, for example, a State health 
department or State insurance commission;
    (C) Any Indian tribal government (as defined in section 
7701(a)(40)) or a subdivision thereof (determined in accordance with 
section 7871(d)); or
    (D) Any public agency that is created by a State or a political 
subdivision, organized as a nonprofit under State law, and contracts 
with the State to administer State Medicaid benefits through local 
providers or HMOs.
    (iii) Certain nonprofit corporations. A covered entity does not 
include any entity--
    (A) Which is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under a State 
law;
    (B) No part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of 
any private shareholder or individual (within the meaning of Sec. Sec.  
1.501(a)-1(c) and 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(2) of this chapter);
    (C) No substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on 
propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (within 
the meaning of Sec.  1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3)(ii) of this chapter) (or which 
is described in section 501(h)(3) and is not denied exemption under 
section 501(a) by reason of section 501(h));
    (D) Which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the 
publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on 
behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office (within 
the meaning of Sec.  1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3)(iii) of this chapter); and
    (E) More than 80 percent of the gross revenues of which is received 
from government programs that target low-income, elderly, or disabled 
populations under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security 
Act.
    (iv) Certain voluntary employees' beneficiary associations. A 
covered entity does not include any entity that is described in section 
501(c)(9) that is established by an entity (other than by an employer 
or employers) for purposes of providing health care benefits.
    (3) State. Solely for purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, 
the term State means any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or 
any of the possessions of the United States,

[[Page 14043]]

including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto 
Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
    (c) Controlled groups--(1) In general. The term controlled group 
means a group of two or more persons, including at least one person 
that is a covered entity, that is treated as a single employer under 
section 52(a), 52(b), 414(m), or 414(o). A controlled group is treated 
as a single covered entity for purposes of the fee.
    (2) Special rules. For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
(related to controlled groups)--
    (i) A foreign entity subject to tax under section 881 is included 
within a controlled group under section 52(a) or (b); and
    (ii) A person is treated as being a member of the controlled group 
if it is a member of the group at the end of the day on December 31st 
of the data year.
    (d) Data year. The term data year means the calendar year 
immediately before the fee year. Thus, for example, 2013 is the data 
year for fee year 2014.
    (e) Designated entity--(1) In general. Each controlled group must 
have a designated entity. The term designated entity means the person 
within the controlled group that is designated to act on behalf of the 
controlled group regarding the fee with respect to-- (i) Filing Form 
8963, ``Report of Health Insurance Provider Information;''
    (ii) Receiving IRS communications about the fee for the group;
    (iii) Filing an error correction report for the group, if 
applicable, as described in Sec.  57.6; and
    (iv) Paying the fee for the group to the IRS.
    (2) Selection of designated entity--(i) In general. Except as 
provided in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section, the controlled group 
may select its designated entity by filing Form 8963, ``Report of 
Health Insurance Provider Information,'' in accordance with the form 
instructions. The designated entity must state under penalties of 
perjury that all persons that provide health insurance for United 
States health risks that are members of the group have consented to the 
selection of the designated entity. Each member of a controlled group 
is required to maintain a record of its consent to the controlled 
group's selection of the designated entity. The designated entity must 
maintain a record of all member consents. If a controlled group does 
not select a designated entity, the IRS will select the designated 
entity.
    (ii) Requirement for affiliated groups; common parent. If the 
controlled group, without regard to foreign corporations included under 
section 9010(c)(3)(B), is also an affiliated group that files a 
consolidated return for Federal income tax purposes, the designated 
entity is the common parent of the affiliated group as identified on 
the tax return filed for the data year.
    (f) Fee. The term fee means the fee imposed by section 9010 on each 
covered entity engaged in the business of providing health insurance.
    (g) Fee year. The term fee year means the calendar year in which 
the fee must be paid to the government.
    (h) Health insurance--(1) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraph (h)(2) of this section, the term health insurance has the 
same meaning as the term health insurance coverage in section 
9832(b)(1)(A), defined to mean 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. The term health 
insurance includes limited scope dental and vision benefits under 
section 9832(c)(2)(A) and retiree-only health insurance.
    (2) Exclusions. Health insurance does not include--
    (i) Coverage only for accident, or disability income insurance, or 
any combination thereof, within the meaning of section 9832(c)(1)(A);
    (ii) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance within 
the meaning of section 9832(c)(1)(B);
    (iii) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance 
and automobile liability insurance, within the meaning of section 
9832(c)(1)(C);
    (iv) Workers' compensation or similar insurance within the meaning 
of section 9832(c)(1)(D);
    (v) Automobile medical payment insurance within the meaning of 
section 9832(c)(1)(E);
    (vi) Credit-only insurance within the meaning of section 
9832(c)(1)(F);
    (vii) Coverage for on-site medical clinics within the meaning of 
section 9832(c)(1)(G);
    (viii) Other insurance coverage that is similar to the insurance 
coverage in paragraph (h)(2)(i) through (vii) of this section under 
which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to other 
insurance benefits, within the meaning of section 9832(c)(1)(H), to the 
extent such insurance coverage is specified in regulations under 
section 9832(c)(1)(H);
    (ix) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health 
care, community-based care, or any combination thereof, within the 
meaning of section 9832(c)(2)(B), and such other similar, limited 
benefits to the extent such benefits are specified in regulations under 
section 9832(c)(2)(C);
    (x) Coverage only for a specified disease or illness within the 
meaning of section 9832(c)(3)(A);
    (xi) Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance within 
the meaning of section 9832(c)(3)(B);
    (xii) 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, within the meaning of section 9832(c)(4);
    (xiii) Student administrative health fee arrangements, as defined 
in paragraph (h)(3);
    (xiv) Travel insurance, as defined in paragraph (h)(4) of this 
section; or
    (xv) Indemnity reinsurance, as defined in paragraph (h)(5)(i) of 
this section.
    (3) Student administrative health fee arrangement. For purposes of 
paragraph (h)(2)(xiii) of this section, the term student administrative 
health fee arrangement means an arrangement under which an educational 
institution, other than through an insured arrangement, charges student 
administrative health fees to students on a periodic basis to help 
cover the cost of student health clinic operations and care delivery 
(regardless of whether the student uses the clinic and regardless of 
whether the student purchases any available student health insurance 
coverage).
    (4) Travel insurance. For purposes of paragraph (h)(2)(xiv) of this 
section, the term travel insurance means insurance coverage for 
personal risks incident to planned travel, which may include, but is 
not limited to, interruption or cancellation of trip or event, loss of 
baggage or personal effects, damages to accommodations or rental 
vehicles, and sickness, accident, disability, or death occurring during 
travel, provided that the health benefits are not offered on a stand-
alone basis and are incidental to other coverage. For this purpose, 
travel insurance does not include major medical plans that provide 
comprehensive medical protection for travelers with trips lasting 6 
months or longer, including, for example, those working overseas as an 
expatriate or military personnel being deployed.
    (5) Reinsurance--(i) Indemnity reinsurance. For purposes of 
paragraphs (h)(2)(xv) and (k) of this section, the term indemnity 
reinsurance means an

[[Page 14044]]

agreement between two or more insurance companies under which--
    (A) The reinsuring company agrees to accept and to indemnify the 
issuing company for all or part of the risk of loss under policies 
specified in the agreement; and
    (B) The issuing company retains its liability to, and its 
contractual relationship with, the individuals whose health risks are 
insured under the policies specified in the agreement.
    (ii) Assumption reinsurance. For purposes of paragraph (k) of this 
section, the term assumption reinsurance means reinsurance for which 
there is a novation and the reinsurer takes over the entire risk of 
loss pursuant to a new contract.
    (i) Located in the United States. The term located in the United 
States means present in the United States (within the meaning of 
paragraph (m) of this section) under section 7701(b)(7) (for presence 
in the 50 States and the District of Columbia) or Sec.  1.937-
1(c)(3)(i) of this chapter (for presence in a possession of the United 
States).
    (j) NAIC. The term NAIC means the National Association of Insurance 
Commissioners.
    (k) Net premiums written. The term net premiums written means 
premiums written, including reinsurance premiums written, reduced by 
reinsurance ceded, and reduced by ceding commissions and medical loss 
ratio (MLR) rebates with respect to the data year. Because indemnity 
reinsurance within the meaning of paragraph (h)(5)(i) of this section 
is not health insurance under paragraph (h)(1) of this section, net 
premiums written does not include premiums written for indemnity 
reinsurance and is not reduced by indemnity reinsurance ceded. However, 
net premiums written does include premiums written and is reduced by 
premiums ceded for assumption reinsurance within the meaning of 
paragraph (h)(5)(ii) of this section.
    (l) SHCE. The term SHCE means the Supplemental Health Care Exhibit. 
The SHCE is a form published by the NAIC that most covered entities are 
required to file annually under State law.
    (m) United States. For purposes of paragraph (i) of this section, 
the term United States means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, 
and any possession of the United States, including American Samoa, 
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 
Islands.
    (n) United States health risk. The term United States health risk 
means the health risk of any individual who is--
    (1) A United States citizen;
    (2) A resident of the United States (within the meaning of section 
7701(b)(1)(A)); or
    (3) Located in the United States (within the meaning of paragraph 
(i) of this section) during the period such individual is so located.


Sec.  57.3  Reporting requirements and associated penalties.

    (a) Reporting requirement--(1) In general. Annually, each covered 
entity, including each controlled group that is treated as a single 
covered entity, must report its net premiums written for health 
insurance of United States health risks during the data year to the IRS 
by May 1st of the fee year on Form 8963, ``Report of Health Insurance 
Provider Information,'' in accordance with the instructions for the 
form. A covered entity that has net premiums written for health 
insurance of United States health risks during the data year but does 
not have any amount taken into account as described in Sec.  57.4(a)(4) 
is still subject to this reporting requirement.
    (2) Manner of reporting. The IRS may provide rules in guidance 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin for the manner of reporting 
by a covered entity under this section, including rules for reporting 
by a designated entity on behalf of a controlled group that is treated 
as a single covered entity.
    (b) Penalties--(1) Failure to report--(i) In general. If any 
covered entity fails to timely submit a report containing the 
information required by paragraph (a) of this section, the covered 
entity is liable for a penalty in the amount described in paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii) of this section in addition to its fee liability, unless the 
failure is due to reasonable cause as defined in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) 
of this section.
    (ii) Amount. The amount of the penalty for failure to timely submit 
a report described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section is equal to--
    (A) $10,000, plus
    (B) The lesser of--
    (1) An amount equal to $1,000, multiplied by the number of days 
during which such failure continues; or
    (2) The amount of the covered entity's fee for which the report was 
required.
    (iii) Reasonable cause. The penalty for failure to timely submit a 
report described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section is waived if 
the failure is due to reasonable cause. A failure will be due to a 
reasonable cause if the covered entity exercised ordinary business care 
and prudence and was nevertheless unable to submit the report within 
the prescribed time. In determining whether the covered entity was 
unable to timely submit the report described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of 
this section despite the exercise of ordinary business care and 
prudence, the IRS will consider all the facts and circumstances 
surrounding the failure to submit the report.
    (iv) Treatment of penalty. The failure to report penalty described 
in this paragraph (b)(1)--
    (A) Is treated as a penalty under subtitle F;
    (B) Must be paid on notice and demand by the IRS and in the same 
manner as a tax under the Internal Revenue Code; and
    (C) Is a penalty for which only civil actions for refund under 
procedures of subtitle F apply.
    (2) Accuracy-related penalty--(i) In general. If any covered entity 
understates its net premiums written for health insurance of United 
States health risks in the report required under paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, the covered entity is liable for a penalty in the amount 
described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section in addition to its 
fee liability.
    (ii) Amount. The amount of the accuracy-related penalty described 
in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section is equal to the excess of--
    (A) The amount of the covered entity's fee for the fee year that 
the Secretary determines should have been paid in the absence of any 
understatement; over
    (B) The amount of the covered entity's fee for the fee year that 
the Secretary determined based on the understatement.
    (iii) Understatement. An understatement of a covered entity's net 
premiums written for health insurance of United States health risks is 
the difference between the amount of net premiums written that the 
covered entity reported and the amount of net premiums written that the 
covered entity should have reported.
    (iv) Treatment of penalty. The accuracy-related penalty is subject 
to the provisions of subtitle F that apply to assessable penalties 
imposed under chapter 68.
    (3) Controlled groups. Each person in a controlled group with an 
obligation to provide information to the controlled group's designated 
entity for purposes of the report required to be submitted by the 
designated entity on behalf of the controlled group is jointly and 
severally liable for any penalties described in this paragraph (b) for 
any reporting failures by the designated entity.


Sec.  57.4  Fee calculation.

    (a) Fee components--(1) In general. For every fee year, the IRS 
will calculate

[[Page 14045]]

a covered entity's total fee as described in this section.
    (2) Calculation of net premiums written. Each covered entity's 
allocated fee for any fee year is equal to an amount that bears the 
same ratio to the applicable amount as the covered entity's net 
premiums written for health insurance of United States health risks 
during the data year taken into account bears to the aggregate net 
premiums written for health insurance of United States health risks of 
all covered entities during the data year taken into account.
    (3) Applicable amount. The applicable amounts for fee years are--

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Fee year                         Applicable amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014..............................  $ 8,000,000,000
2015..............................  11,300,000,000
2016..............................  11,300,000,000
2017..............................  13,900,000,000
2018..............................  14,300,000,000
2019 and thereafter...............  The applicable amount in the
                                     preceding fee year increased by the
                                     rate of premium growth (within the
                                     meaning of section
                                     36B(b)(3)(A)(ii)).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Net premiums written taken into account--(i) In general. A 
covered entity's net premiums written for health insurance of United 
States health risks during any data year are taken into account as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Percentage of
                                                           net premiums
  Covered entity's net premiums written during the data    written taken
                     year that are:                        into account
                                                                is:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not more than $25,000,000...............................               0
More than $25,000,000 but not more than $50,000,000.....              50
More than $50,000,000...................................             100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Controlled groups. In the case of a controlled group, 
paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section applies to all net premiums written 
for health insurance of United States health risks during the data 
year, in the aggregate, of the entire controlled group, except that any 
net premiums written by any member of the controlled group that is a 
nonprofit corporation meeting the requirements of Sec.  57.2(b)(2)(iii) 
or a voluntary employees' beneficiary association meeting the 
requirements of Sec.  57.2(b)(2)(iv) are not taken into account.
    (iii) Partial reduction for certain exempt activities. After the 
application of paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section, if the covered 
entity is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(a) and is 
described in section 501(c)(3), (4), (26), or (29), then only 50 
percent of its remaining net premiums written for health insurance of 
United States health risks that are attributable to its exempt 
activities (and not to activities of an unrelated trade or business as 
defined in section 513) during the data year are taken into account.
    (b) Determination of net premiums written--(1) In general. The IRS 
will determine net premiums written for health insurance of United 
States health risks based on the reports submitted by the covered 
entities, together with any other source of information available to 
the IRS. Other sources of information that the IRS may use to determine 
net premiums written include the SHCE, which supplements the annual 
statement filed with the NAIC pursuant to State law, the annual 
statement itself or the Accident and Health Policy Experience filed 
with the NAIC, the MLR Annual Reporting Form filed with the Center for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services' Center for Consumer Information and 
Insurance Oversight of the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, or any similar statements filed with the NAIC, with any State 
government, or with the Federal government pursuant to applicable State 
or Federal requirements.
    (2) Presumption for United States health risks. For any covered 
entity that files the SHCE with the NAIC, the entire amount reported as 
direct premiums written will be considered to be for United States 
health risks as described in Sec.  57.2(k) (subject to any applicable 
exclusions for amounts that are not health insurance as described in 
Sec.  57.2(g)(2)) unless the covered entity can demonstrate otherwise.
    (c) Determination of amounts taken into account. (1) For each fee 
year and for each covered entity, the IRS will calculate the net 
premiums written for health insurance of United States health risks 
taken into account during the data year. The resulting number is the 
numerator of the ratio described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (2) For each fee year, the IRS will calculate the aggregate net 
premiums written for health insurance of United States health risks 
taken into account for all covered entities during the data year. The 
resulting number is the denominator of the ratio described in paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section.
    (d) Allocated fee calculated. For each covered entity for each fee 
year, the IRS will calculate the covered entity's allocated fee by 
multiplying the applicable amount from paragraph (a)(3) of this section 
by a fraction--
    (1) The numerator of which is the covered entity's net premiums 
written for health insurance of United States health risks during the 
data year taken into account (described in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section); and
    (2) The denominator of which is the aggregate net premiums written 
for health insurance of United States health risks for all covered 
entities during the data year taken into account (described in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section).


Sec.  57.5  Notice of preliminary fee calculation.

    (a) Content of notice. Each fee year, the IRS will make a 
preliminary calculation of the fee for each covered entity as described 
in Sec.  57.4. The IRS will notify each covered entity of its 
preliminary fee calculation for that fee year. The notification to a 
covered entity of its preliminary fee calculation will include--
    (1) The covered entity's allocated fee;
    (2) The covered entity's net premiums written for health insurance 
of United States health risks;
    (3) The covered entity's net premiums written for health insurance 
of United States health risks taken into account after the application 
of Sec.  57.4(a)(4);
    (4) The aggregate net premiums written for health insurance of 
United States health risks taken into account for all covered entities; 
and
    (5) A reference to the error correction procedures specified in 
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.
    (b) Timing of notice. The IRS will specify in other guidance 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin the date by which it will 
send each covered entity a notice of its preliminary fee calculation.

[[Page 14046]]

Sec.  57.6  Error correction process.

    (a) In general. Upon receipt of its preliminary fee calculation, 
each covered entity will have an opportunity to review this 
calculation, identify any errors, and submit to the IRS an error 
correction report.
    (b) Time and manner. The IRS will specify in other guidance 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin the format for error 
correction report submissions and the date by which a covered entity 
must submit an error correction report. The IRS will provide its final 
determination regarding the covered entity's error correction report no 
later than the time the IRS provides a covered entity with a final fee 
calculation.


Sec.  57.7  Notification and fee payment.

    (a) Content of notice. Each fee year, the IRS will make a final 
calculation of the fee for each covered entity as described in Sec.  
57.4. The IRS will base its final fee calculation on the reports the 
covered entity provides as adjusted by the error correction process and 
other sources described in Sec.  57.4(b)(1). The notification to a 
covered entity of its final fee calculation will include--
    (1) The covered entity's allocated fee;
    (2) The covered entity's net premiums written for health insurance 
of United States health risks;
    (3) The covered entity's net premiums written for health insurance 
of United States health risks taken into account after the application 
of Sec.  57.4(a)(4);
    (4) The aggregate net premiums written for health insurance of 
United States health risks taken into account for all covered entities; 
and
    (5) The final determination on the covered entity's error 
correction report, if any.
    (b) Timing of notice. The IRS will send each covered entity a 
notice of its final fee calculation by August 31st of the fee year.
    (c) Differences in preliminary fee calculation and final 
calculation. A covered entity's final fee calculation may differ from 
the covered entity's preliminary fee calculation because of changes 
made pursuant to the error correction process described in Sec.  57.6 
or because the IRS discovered additional information relevant to the 
fee calculation through other information sources as described in Sec.  
57.4(b)(1). Even if a covered entity did not file an error correction 
report described in Sec.  57.6, a covered entity's final fee may differ 
from a covered entity's preliminary fee because of information 
discovered about that covered entity through other information sources. 
In addition, a change in aggregate net premiums written for health 
insurance of United States health risks can affect each covered 
entity's fee because each covered entity's fee is a fraction of the 
aggregate fee collected from all covered entities.
    (d) Payment of final fee. Each covered entity must pay its final 
fee by September 30th of the fee year. For a controlled group, the 
payment must be made using the designated entity's EIN as reported on 
Form 8963, ``Report of Health Insurance Provider Information.'' The fee 
must be paid by electronic funds transfer as required by Sec.  57.6302-
1. There is no tax return to be filed with the payment of the fee.
    (e) Controlled groups. In the case of a controlled group that is 
liable for the fee, all members of the controlled group are jointly and 
severally liable for the fee. Accordingly, if a controlled group's fee 
is not paid, the IRS may separately assess each member of the 
controlled group for the full amount of the controlled group's fee.


Sec.  57.8  Tax treatment of fee.

    (a) Treatment as an excise tax. The fee is treated as an excise tax 
for purposes of subtitle F (sections 6001-7874). Thus, references in 
subtitle F to ``taxes imposed by this title,'' ``internal revenue 
tax,'' and similar references, are also references to the fee. For 
example, the fee is assessed (section 6201), collected (sections 6301, 
6321, and 6331), enforced (section 7602), subject to examination and 
summons (section 7602), and subject to confidentiality rules (section 
6103), in the same manner as taxes imposed by the Code.
    (b) Deficiency procedures. The deficiency procedures of sections 
6211-6216 do not apply to the fee.
    (c) Limitation on assessment. The IRS must assess the amount of the 
fee for any fee year within three years of September 30th of that fee 
year.
    (d) Application of section 275. The fee is treated as a tax 
described in section 275(a)(6) (relating to taxes for which no 
deduction is allowed).


Sec.  57.9  Refund claims.

    Any claim for a refund of the fee must be made by the entity that 
paid the fee to the government and must be made on Form 843, ``Claim 
for Refund and Request for Abatement,'' in accordance with the 
instructions for that form.


Sec.  57.10  Effective/applicability date.

    Sections 57.1 through 57.9 apply to any fee that is due on or after 
September 30, 2014.


Sec.  57.6302-1  Method of paying the health insurance providers fee.

    (a) Fee to be paid by electronic funds transfer. Under the 
authority of section 6302(a), the fee imposed on covered entities 
engaged in the business of providing health insurance for United States 
health risks under section 9010 and Sec.  57.4 must be paid by 
electronic funds transfer as defined in Sec.  31.6302-1(h)(4)(i) of 
this chapter, as if the fee were a depository tax. For the time for 
paying the fee, see Sec.  57.7.
    (b) Effective/Applicability date. This section applies with respect 
to any fee that is due on or after September 30, 2014.

Steven T. Miller,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2013-04836 Filed 3-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P