Review Your ICHRA Strategy Before Launch

Your ICHRA strategy defines the core structure of the benefit your organization intends to offer. Before launch, review the main settings to confirm they reflect your approved plan design and workforce.

Review the Plan Year and Effective Date

Confirm the plan year and the date your ICHRA is intended to become effective.

The effective date can affect employee eligibility, notice timing, enrollment, allowance availability, and ongoing administration. Confirm that the selected date is consistent with your implementation timeline and plan documents.

Confirm Employee Eligibility

Review which employees will be offered the ICHRA and confirm that eligibility is consistent with the employee classes established for the plan.

Eligibility rules should follow the terms of the ICHRA plan and be applied consistently within each applicable employee class.

Review Your Contribution Strategy

Confirm the monthly allowance amounts available to employees.

ICHRA allowance amounts may vary where permitted under applicable rules, including based on employee class, age, or family size when structured appropriately.

Confirm that the allowance configuration in Lirvion matches the contribution strategy approved for the plan year.

For more information about contribution configuration, see Allowances.

Review Affordability Considerations

If your organization is an Applicable Large Employer, review the affordability implications of the ICHRA offer.

Affordability can depend on factors including the employee's age, location, applicable lowest-cost silver plan premium, employer allowance, and the affordability methodology used.

A separate Compliance Checklist article will cover affordability review in greater detail.

Confirm Administrative Responsibilities

Make sure your internal team understands which information must be maintained and reported throughout the plan year.

Employers should keep workforce information accurate and report changes that may affect employee eligibility, class assignment, allowance amounts, or benefit dates through the applicable administrative process.

Complete Your Strategy Review

Before marking the Strategy portion of the Compliance Checklist complete, confirm that:

• The plan year and effective date are correct.

• Eligible employee populations are defined.

• Employee classes reflect the intended plan design.

• Monthly allowance amounts match the approved strategy.

• Affordability considerations have been reviewed where applicable.

• Required plan documents and employee notices are being addressed.

• Responsibility for ongoing workforce updates is understood.

Once these items are confirmed, you can proceed to the next section of the Compliance Checklist.

Important: This article provides general administrative information about ICHRA and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice.

Consult your legal, tax, benefits, or other qualified professional regarding requirements applicable to your organization.