Health Insurance Marketplace Forms

Healthcare Reform

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all Americans to have healthcare coverage and to provide proof of coverage when filing their taxes. Snowflake is required to provide you (and the IRS) with an annual form called Form 1095. This form is proof of the medical plan coverage you’ve been offered and enrolled in during the previous benefit plan year. Use the information from Form 1095 when filing your tax return, similar to how you transfer information from your W-2 form to your tax forms.

Learn About the ACA

When to expect the form

Snowflake’s 1095-C form will be mailed to your home address on file by January 31, 2024. If you do not receive the form in the mail, you can also view, download, and print it from Empyrean. The Kaiser HMO plan will also mail the form by January 31.

Keep all forms

You may receive more than one Form 1095 for plan year 2023. It is important to keep all the forms you receive with your tax information to enable you or your tax accountant to have all the documentation required for ACA.

Reasons for multiple 1095 forms include:

  • You worked for more than one employer in 2023.
  • You or a covered dependent became eligible for COBRA during the year.
  • You were covered under an insured HMO during the year (Kaiser HMO plan). You will receive a form 1095-B from the insurer and a 1095-C from Snowflake.

Wait to prepare a tax return?

In most cases, you do not need to wait for the Form 1095-C to file your US individual income tax return. Most employees will know whether they had health coverage for a month and can simply check a box on their tax return to attest that they, their spouse (if filing jointly), and any eligible dependents had “minimum essential coverage” throughout the year. Form 1095-C confirms when coverage was in effect and who was covered. It’s also your proof of health coverage in the event you are contacted by the IRS.

More Information About the 1095-C?

Where to learn more and find answers to your questions:

  • You can find more information on the IRS website.
  • Snowflake CIGNA PPO and HDHP plan participants Form 1095-C, visit Empyrean.
  • Kaiser HMO plan participants, for Form 1095-B, contact the carrier directly.
  • For instructions on how to report proof of health insurance coverage to the IRS, you should consult with your personal tax advisor.

Verify Social Security Numbers

Verify the SSN accuracy for any dependents enrolled under your Snowflake medical plan coverage. Without accurate SSNs, the IRS may not receive sufficient proof of healthcare coverage. As a result, you may be contacted by the IRS and asked to provide additional documentation or be required to pay the “shared responsibility” tax imposed on individuals who do not have the mandated healthcare coverage.

Dependent SSNs can be verified in Empyrean. You can also call the Snowflake Alliant Advocates to update your dependent’s SSN or for assistance if your dependent does not have an SSN. This can be done at any time.