Mid week update

Here are some Tuesday tidbits which are a little late because the FEHBlog was focused on the NFL draft and the FL 13 election last night.

• The OPM director issued a strategic information technology plan yesterday.  The Federal Times provides an overview of the plan. The FEHBlog notes that OPM explains in the report  (p. 35) that the agency plans to roll out a new BenefitsPlus platform this year. The FEHBlog notes that many OPM information technology programs stem from unduly complicated retirement program laws. Simplify the laws first. 
• The FEHBlog at long last noticed yesterday that over a month ago OPM issued a 2015 call letter for the multistate program operating in the exchanges. This call letter provides some clues about what FEHB carriers may learn when OPM issues the FEHBP's 2015 call letter on March 28. 
• Heads up! Under the final employer shared responsibility rule, employers who cover at least 70% of their full time employees next year will not be liable for the $2000 per uncovered FTE penalty. Nevertheless they can be held liable for the $3,000 penalty imposed for failing to cover a full time employee who receives subsidized coverage in the exchange. See Question 39 the IRS FAQs. The IRS will be able to identify these employees because the IRC 6055 and 6056 reporting requirements will be in effect for 2015.