Insurance & Medical Industry News

The IRS been very clear on several occassions that employers are not allowed to use this strategy. Yet, employers continue to attempt it and some brokers and companies are still selling it!

Employee Benefits Healthcare Reform Individual Insurance Large Employers Small Employers

Some large and small employers have considered sending full-time employees to the exchanges for individual coverage rather than offering group medical insurance. Companies such as Zane Benefits and some brokers are telling companies that they may do this and still take advantage of pre-tax medical insurance premium treatment by reimbursing employees’ individual medical insurance premiums…

June 20, 2014

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Welcome to your June, 2014 updates on Health Care Reform, employee benefits compliance, employment practices and other useful information

Employee Benefits Healthcare Reform

Given that Health Care Reform has meant sweeping changes for employer-sponsored healthcare and numerous updates as result of clarifications by the IRS, DOL and HHS on portions of the law that were ambiguous or inconsistent, we have seen on-the-spot modifications as legislators attempt to address some of the unreasonable or impractical implications of the law…

June 20, 2014

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Are higher costs in the second half of 2013 a result of Health Care Reform or other factors?

Healthcare Reform In the News

“Healthcare spending grew broadly in 2013, and especially in the second half of 2013, according to the New York Times in its Saturday, April 19, 2014 article entitled “Health Care Spending’s Recent Surge Stirs Unease.” READ MORE

May 13, 2014

Employers, think the Independent Contractor classification is your decision?

In the News Uncategorized

As appealing as the Independent Contractor classification may be, it is not up to the employer’s discretion whether to classify an individual as an ’employee’ or ‘independent contractor’. Whether and individual is or is not an independent contractor is determined by specific legal classification based on many aspects of the role being performed as well…

May 13, 2014

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Are you an applicable large employer? Are you aware that you must begin tracking your employees’ hours?

Healthcare Reform In the News Large Employers Small Employers

This page provides you with a fantastic breakdown that will help you determine whether you are an applicable large employer, determine the controlled group and the hours that you must begin to track for your variable hour employees for purposes of determining eligibility.

BEGIN YOUR EVALUATION NOW

May 13, 2014

90 Day Waiting Period Update and No More Certificate of Creditable Coverage

Healthcare Reform In the News Large Employers Small Employers

Most employers are now aware that the group medical insurance waiting period for full-time (30 hours or more per week) employees may not exceed 90 days as a result of one of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. In California, there is a more stringent 60 day waiting period limitation. The California requirement is currently under…

May 13, 2014

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Review the HSA and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) Amounts for 2015

Employee Benefits Healthcare Reform In the News Individual Insurance Large Employers Small Employers

The IRS released the 2015 indexed amounts for HSA’s and HDHP’s. Please review the table to compare 2014 amounts to the new 2015 adjustments.

Want to see the IRS form large employers will complete to report Health Care Reform non-compliance?

Healthcare Reform In the News Large Employers

Take a look at IRS Form 8928 for self-reported non-compliance penalties under the ACA (link embedded in referenced article). This article from JD Supra Business Advisor by Mintz Levin is well-worth your time to read and gives a description of the penalties as well as the leniency that will be afforded employers who demonstrate reasonable…

May 13, 2014

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First it was ‘Grandfathering’…now ‘Grandmothering’?

Employee Benefits Healthcare Reform In the News Small Employers Uncategorized

A bill that looks likely to pass is on the fast-track. This ‘grandmothering’ bill would allow small employers to keep their current group medical insurance plans. Some employers were familiar with the term ‘grandfathering ‘ in reference to their pre-ACA group medical insurance plans. Post-ACA, carriers eliminated many of their plans and created new plan…

May 13, 2014

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Final regulations from the Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health & Human Services

Employee Benefits Healthcare Reform In the News Small Employers

The Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services have issued final regulations and other proposed regulations on the 90 day waiting period for employer-sponsored health coverage and measurement periods to determine eligibility of variable hour employees. As most California employers are accustomed to, a more stringent 60 day waiting period maximum is in…

March 5, 2014

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