The American Medical Association (AMA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and multiple other involved entities are spending a great amount of time addressing our access to care issues as well as the cost of care. Telemedicine allows patients to connect with physicians over the phone, email and Skype to provide care faster, cheaper…
DetailsI have been saying since the initial rumblings of Health Care Reform that tax treatment of group medical insurance may be on its way to great change. As soon as it became mandatory to list the full premium of group medical insurance on W-2’s, even though it is noted that there are presently ‘no tax…
DetailsAlthough Health Care Reform has meant a lot of struggle, confusion and rising costs for employers, there are some positive cost implications of Obamacare that may be increasingly realized over time. For employers who don’t offer health insurance to employees, there is a higher frequency of reporting a work-related medical situation under Workers’ Compensation so…
DetailsBestefits helps employers to better serve their executive team by providing individualized time to examine their financial security. Most group benefit plans offer a standard level of life and disability insurance. However, standard life insurance amounts and disability maximums provide little financial protection to high earners. It is common to see basic group life insurance…
DetailsThe IRS released final regulations governing information reporting under Sections 6055 and 6056 for health plan coverage. This information will be used to determine if an applicable large employer owes Employer Mandate penalties if a full-time employee receives subsidized coverage through an exchange. These reporting requirements apply for calendar years after December 31, 2014 and…
DetailsSenate Bill 1446 may be signed by Governor Jerry Brown in October of 2014. As it currently stands, the bill would allow a small group employer policy that was in effect on October 1, 2013, or early renewed in December of 2013, to be renewed until January 1, 2015 through the plan year ending December…
DetailsIt is a very simple thing to do. Just think of us if you or any of your employees will travel outside of the U.S. Your domestic medical insurance policy can do very little to help you if you need medical care while abroad. Travel insurance policies are inexpensive and connect you with a network…
DetailsA number of group medical insurance carriers are reducing their participation requirements from the normal 75-65% down to as low as 25%. Insurance carriers are responding to increased demand for group health insurance and understand that some employers were not able to meet the traditional participation requirements as a result of budget constraints and employee…
DetailsMany employers made changes to their group medical insurance waiting period to conform to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requirements. The Federal requirement is that the group medical insurance waiting period not exceed 90 days with coverage to be effective on the 91st day. A ‘first of the month following 90 days’ strategy…
DetailsThe California minimum wage will increase from the current $8 per hour to $9 per hour beginning July 1, 2014. This is the first increase since January 1, 2008. There are additional pay practices that will change as a result of this increase so review your practices in accordance with the information below. READ MORE…
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