Gehring Group

The Gehring Group

PCORI Fee Filing Due July 31, 2026

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) filing and fee payment deadline of July 31, 2026, for plan years ending in 2025 is quickly approaching. Employers sponsoring self-funded group medical plans are responsible to file and pay the PCORI fee annually to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Employers sponsoring fully-insured group medical plans are assessed this fee by their health insurance carriers in the monthly premium payments.

The PCORI fee is assessed to issuers of specified health insurance policies and plan sponsors of applicable health plans to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund.

The amount of the PCORI fee is determined by using the Snapshot Count/Factor Method (or the Form 5500 Method)to calculate the average number of covered lives for the plan year that ended in the previous calendar year. The fees for plan years ending in 2025 are as follows:

  • $3.47 for plan years ending 01/01/2025 to 09/30/2025, or 
  • $3.84 for plan years ending 10/01/2025 to 12/31/2025.

For more information, refer to our attached PCORI Guide.
 

WHAT’S NEXT?

The fee is reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return (accessed here). The IRS provides detailed Instructions for Form 720.

Below is a summary of the information contained in the Form 720 instructions regarding the completion of it for purposes of reporting and paying the PCORI fee in situations in which the only reason you are filing Form 720 is to pay the PCORI fee. 

The following information is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be, and should not be considered, tax advice.  You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor for advice concerning the calculation of PCORI fees and the completion and filing of Form 720. If you have questions about calculating your PCORI fee, please contact your Gehring Group consultant. Our team is available to assist with the calculation process and answer any related questions.


Completing Form 720 

  • Page 1:
    • Enter company information (Name, EIN, and Address) at the top of the form.
    • Under “Quarter Ending,” enter 6/30/2026
    • Skip Part I and go to Page 2.
  • Page 2:
    • Under Part II, complete applicable blanks in line (c) or (d) of IRS No. 133 (depending on when the plan year ended).
    • Enter the Total PCORI fee beside “2. Total. Add all amounts in Part II” at the bottom.
  • Page 3:
    • Under Part III, enter the Total PCORI fee beside “3 Total tax.” and “10 Balance Due.”
    • Beside “Sign Here”, sign and date, then enter your title, name and telephone number.
  • Page 8:
    • If you plan to mail in your payment (by check or money order), complete the Payment Voucher.
      • Under “3. Tax Period”, select “2nd Quarter”.

The Form 720 filing and PCORI fee payment are due by July 31, 2026, and should be applied to the second quarter (ending 6/30).


Form 720 Filing Options:

  • If mailing, print and mail the completed Form 720 to:

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Ogden, UT 84201-0009

  • If e-filing, you must use an IRS-approved vendor to e-file the Form 720.


Form 720 Payment Options:

  • If mailing, send your payment (by check or money order) along with the completed Payment Voucher to the same address listed above.
    • You may include the Form 720, payment, and Payment Voucher in the same mailing.)
  • If virtual, payment can be made through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).
    • After you’ve enrolled and received your credentials, you can pay any tax due to the IRS using this system.
      • If you have trouble enrolling, call EFTPS Customer Service at 800-555-4477.
    • In EFTPS, select Q2 for the Quarter under Tax Period on the “Business Tax Payment” page.
    • If you prefer, you can pay through the EFTPS voice response system by calling 800-555-3453.


Please confirm in writing when this is completed or let us know if you have any questions.

Additional Information/Resources:

Please contact your Gehring Group team with any questions.