At Mitratech Mineral, we’re always looking for ways to simplify compliance and deliver meaningful value to our partners and their clients. That’s why, heading into the 2024 tax season, we launched the ACA Reporting Hub,a streamlined, intuitive way for employers to handle their federal and state healthcare reporting requirements, such as creating Forms 1094-B/C and 1095-B/C.

For over a decade, Mineral’s experts have been trusted partners in helping employers navigate the complexities of ACA compliance. In 2024, we took that support to the next level by launching the ACA Reporting Hub, an automated solution exclusively available to UnitedHealthcare Level Funded employers. This new tool empowers employers to generate and electronically file their ACA forms directly with the IRS and applicable state agencies, streamlining what has traditionally been a manual, error-prone process.

What We Learned in Year One

Now, with one full reporting cycle behind us, we’re reflecting on what we’ve learned and how we’re continuing to evolve, building on a foundation of expert guidance to better serve even more employers in the years ahead.

1. Employers Are Ready for a Simpler Way

ACA compliance has long been a source of stress, particularly for small and midsize businesses without dedicated compliance or legal teams. That stress only intensified with filings due in early 2024, when electronic filing became mandatory for almost all employers, eliminating the paper filing fallback many had previously relied on.

What we heard loud and clear in our first year is that employers don’t just want a tool; they want clarity, confidence, and control.

The ACA Reporting Hub delivered on that need with a guided, user-friendly experience. Employers appreciated the intuitive step-by-step process, smart validation, and automatic filing with both the IRS and applicable state agencies, all in one centralized place.

But what truly made the difference was the human support layered on top of the technology. Mineral Experts™, certified HR and compliance professionals who provide personalized guidance on HR and employee benefits compliance, were available to guide users, answer questions, and provide peace of mind at every step. This hybrid model, where expert guidance enhances an already-simplified digital experience, proved to be a game-changer for partner and employer confidence and satisfaction.

2. State Filing Is a Growing Concern

As more states implement their own healthcare-related filing mandates (like California, New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Rhode Island), many employers were caught off guard. While they may have had some familiarity with federal 1094/1095-B/C filings, the additional state-level requirements introduced new layers of complexity, different forms, timelines, and systems.

Our ACA Reporting Hub was built with this evolving compliance landscape in mind. By incorporating multi-jurisdictional compliance into the workflow from the start, employers avoided last-minute scrambles and potentially costly penalties.

Mineral Experts™ played a valuable role in supporting employers who actively engaged with our team, especially when navigating complex state-level ACA requirements. While our platform automates much of the reporting process, clients who reached out were able to access personalized guidance, helping them understand what actions were required, when to take them, and why they mattered.

This combination of powerful technology and on-demand expert support gives employers greater confidence in their compliance process, offering clarity when it’s needed most without disrupting their workflow.

3. ACA Reporting Is a Year-Round Activity

One of the most important takeaways from our first year was realizing how many employers view ACA reporting as a once-a-year task, when in reality, accurate, timely ACA compliance starts months before forms are due. Eligibility tracking, coverage offers, and data accuracy are ongoing responsibilities that affect year-end filings.

Through the ACA Reporting Hub, we saw firsthand how early engagement leads to better outcomes. Employers who prepared throughout the year with the right tools and guidance had smoother, faster, and more accurate filing experiences. Mitratech Mineral’s proactive support, including timely reminders and compliance insights, helped shift the mindset from reactive to strategic.

Moving forward, we’re continuing to evolve our solution to support employers before, during, and after filing season because ACA compliance isn’t seasonal, it’s an ongoing activity sustained for many employers – particularly those on the cusp between 1095-B and 1095-C.

4. Stronger Employer Outcomes Through Carrier Collaboration

Our partnership with UnitedHealthcare during the first year of ACA Reporting demonstrated the power of pairing smart compliance tools with carrier-sponsored support. UnitedHealthcare level-funded clients had access to Mineral’s full suite of products, including the ACA Reporting Hub, as part of their health plan, and this integration positioned UnitedHealthcare as not just a benefits provider, but a business partner invested in employer success.

This model proved highly effective:

• Employers appreciated having a turnkey ACA solution embedded in their health plan
  
• Brokers saw it as a value-add that improved client satisfaction and retention
  
• UnitedHealthcare reinforced their role as a trusted partner, not just a payer
  

What made this even more impactful was the seamless experience Mitratech Mineral created, not just a software handoff, but a coordinated journey supported by real people who understand compliance and care about client outcomes.

In short, our first year of ACA Reporting reinforced our core belief: the combination of best-in-class technology and trusted human expertise creates the strongest outcomes. As we look to expand access to more clients and partners for the 2025 tax year, we’re doubling down on that formula because compliance doesn’t have to be confusing, and support should never feel out of reach.

What’s New for Tax Year 2025

We’re excited to announce that for tax year 2025, Mineral Mitratech is making the ACA Reporting Hub available more broadly and with new enhancements, in addition to continuing support for UnitedHealthcare’s level-funded employer clients.

That means brokers, carriers, and employers alike can take advantage of a proven solution that removes complexity, reduces compliance risk, and provides peace of mind during tax season.

Why This Matters for Our Partners

If you’re a health insurance carrier, broker, HCM, or PEO, the ACA Reporting Hub represents an opportunity to deliver even more value to your employer clients, especially those in the small and midsize business (SMB) segment. You can:

• Differentiate your offering with embedded compliance support
  
• Strengthen retention and broker loyalty
  
• Reduce compliance confusion and support costs
  

Looking Ahead

Our mission remains clear: to equip employers with the tools and guidance they need to thrive in a complex compliance landscape. Expanding access to the ACA Reporting Hub is one more step toward that vision and we’re just getting started.

If you’d like to learn more about how the ACA Reporting Hub can support your clients or become part of your offering, let’s connect.