Blog Archives

• President Directs Federal Agencies to Consider ACA Changes

  Posted on October 16, 2017

  On October 12, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury to develop new rules to allow some exemptions from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Order indicates the Administration’s priorities although it has no immediate effect since… Read more »

• HHS Withdraws Health Plan Certification Rules

  Posted on October 16, 2017

  On October 3, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) withdrew proposed rules that would have required health plans to certify their compliance with certain electronic transaction standards. Although most employers would not have been affected directly, because their plans are handled by insurance carriers, self-funded employers were… Read more »

• Emergency vs. Urgent – What’s the Difference in Walk-In Care?

  Posted on October 16, 2017

  We’ve all been there – once or twice (or more)—when a child, spouse or family member has had to gain access to healthcare quickly. Whether a fall that requires stitches; a sprained or broken bone; or something more serious, it can be difficult to identify which avenue to take when… Read more »

• Breaking News: Costly Overtime Rule Struck Down

  Posted on September 19, 2017

  On August 31, 2017, Federal District Court Judge Amos Mazzant overturned the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Final Overtime Rule that would have doubled the annual salary level to qualify for exemption from overtime from $23,660 to $47,476. The same judge issued an injunction stopping implementation of the final rule… Read more »

• Employer Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before October 15

  Posted on September 19, 2017

  Are you an employer that offers or provides group health coverage to your workers? Does your health plan cover outpatient prescription drugs—either as a medical claim or through a card system? If so, be sure to distribute your plan’s Medicare Part D notice before October 15. To learn more, click… Read more »

• IRS Releases Drafts of 2017 Forms 1094 and 1095

  Posted on September 19, 2017

  The IRS has released drafts of the forms and instructions that employers will use for 2017 reporting under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It is expected that when the IRS releases final versions, the material will be virtually identical to the drafts. To read more, click here.

• Life Insurance Primary Vs. Contingent Beneficiaries

  Posted on August 21, 2017

  Life insurance is intended to give financial security to family members or business associates when you die. Your insurance company wants to make sure your policy’s proceeds are delivered to the person or persons designated to receive them. The recipient of your life insurance settlement is called a beneficiary. There… Read more »

• Separating Fact From Fiction When It Comes to Long-Term Care Insurance

  Posted on August 21, 2017

  Few people are prepared to handle the financial burden of long-term health care. In fact, many people have a false sense of security when it comes to long-term care. To separate fact from fiction, click here.

• Federal Employment Law Update – August 2017

  Posted on August 21, 2017

  As of August 1, 2017, the Occupational and Safety Health Administration’s (OSHA) new electronic portal, the Injury Tracking Application (ITA), is available for employers to file web-based reports of workplace injuries or illnesses. To learn more about OSHA’s electronic portal and more Federal Employment Law Updates from the past month,… Read more »

• How Long do Employers Need to Keep Payroll Records?

  Posted on July 24, 2017

  Under U.S. federal law, employers must keep the payroll records of their employees or former employees for a certain length of time. The amount of time, however, varies according to which statute you refer to, which can make knowing how long to keep employee records confusing. By keeping in mind… Read more »