PCORI Fee Extended 10 Years

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee was set to expire in 2019 for most self-insured health plans (2020 for others), but the SECURE Act has extended it for 10 years.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established the PCORI to conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of medical treatments, procedures, and strategies that treat, diagnose, manage, or prevent illness or injury.  Under the ACA, employers with self-funded group health plans have been paying an annual fee to fund this research.  The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019, signed by President Trump on December 20, 2019, extends the PCORI fee for 10 years, so employers must continue to pay this fee until 2029 or 2030, depending on their plan year.

The fee is based on the average number of covered lives under the plan and is due no later than July 31 each year.  The fee will continue to be adjusted for inflation.

If you have questions about the PCORI fee extension, call ASR Health Benefits at (616) 957-1751 or (800) 968-2449.