March was a busy month in the employee benefits world. For a printable version of this blog, please click here. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it will not defend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the court case challenging the ACA’s constitutionality. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated two Q&As […]
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Webinar: What Employers Need to Know about Health Coverage in Mergers and Acquisitions
Tuesday, April 9, 2019 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT Register Now When employers negotiate a merger or acquisition, it’s important for the buyer and seller to consider how health benefits will be offered after the transaction closes. A buyer or seller may have the responsibility to continue employees’ coverage, offer COBRA continuation coverage, […]
Read more5 Healthcare Plan Trends to Watch in 2019
The UBA Health Plan Survey results are in and showed premiums continued to increase in 2018. One positive to note is that, as costs rise, so too does innovation in plan choice, cost structure, and other plan arrangements. According to the survey, many employers are turning to plans which can share costs with their employees […]
Read moreHR Elements | Some Companies Going Above and Beyond to Support Mothers and Fathers
While the last two decades witnessed a steady rise in pregnancy discrimination claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), there is good news out there for working families. Many companies are opting to create innovative and forward-thinking ways to support working parents and, in some cases, companies are blazing the trail ahead of […]
Read moreCompliance Recap – February 2019
February was a relatively quiet month in the employee benefits world. For a printable version of this blog, please click here. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released an information letter addressing when an employer may seek recoupment of contributions made to an employee’s HSA. A U.S. District Court held that the State of Maryland could […]
Read moreWebinar: What Employers Need to Know about HIPAA & HITECH
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT Register Now The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), its administrative simplification regulations, and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) provide administrative, privacy, and security standards for health plans and their business associates. The extent to which HIPAA […]
Read moreHR Elements | Make Your Employer Brand More Purposeful
Branding is big news. Beyond hoping to boost sales and profits through consumer-facing brands, branding is also a critical component for companies in their roles as employers. There are steps big and small you can take to make employer branding a priority for your team in 2019. Why bother? Well recruitment, hiring, and even retention […]
Read moreE-Guide: Managing Your Benefits Plan Costs Can Be a Quick Fix, But Should Be a Long-Term Strategy
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers spend more than 30 percent of payroll on employee benefits — and every well-informed employer knows that this number is growing. As health care premiums continue to rise, employers are struggling to find creative, strategic ways to control costs while maintaining competitive benefits to attract and retain […]
Read moreCompliance Recap – January 2019
January was a relatively quiet month in the employee benefits world. For a printable version of this blog, please click here The Department of Labor (DOL) issued its annual adjustment of federal civil monetary penalties. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule for benefit payment and parameters for 2020. The Internal […]
Read moreHR Elements | Are Employers Smart to Deal with Student Debt?
In recent decades, a college education has become accessible to more Americans than ever before. Since most families or individuals can’t write a check for a full year’s tuition, student loans are one way to finance that attractive education. Student loans are often touted as “good debt,” worthwhile money spent that, with low interest rates […]
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