There are many articles written today that do a good job of explaining or analyzing employee benefits.  Below are some we believe are worth reading.

IRS Guidance on Tax-Free Coverage for Children under Age 27

As a result of changes made by the recently enacted Affordable Care Act, health coverage provided for an employee's children under the age of 27 is now generally tax-free to the employee, effective March 30, 2010.

 

The Internal Revenue Service announced on April 27, 2010 that these changes immediately allow employers with cafeteria plans – plans that allow employees to choose from a menu of tax-free benefit options and cash or taxable benefits – to permit employees to begin making pretax contributions to pay for this expanded benefit.

 

Please see the attached legislative brief for additional guidance regarding this IRS Notice.

Posted: 04/30/2010 |PDF

COBRA Extension Through May

Posted: 04/19/2010 |PDF

The HIRE Act

On March 18, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE Act).  The HIRE Act was enacted to help foster job growth through immediate tax incentives to employers who hire formerly unemployed or part-time workers. 

 

The HIRE Act offers tax breaks to covered employers for hiring qualified individuals in 2010; on or after February 3, 2010 but before January 1, 2011.  The HIRE Act defines qualified individuals as:

 

-        an employee that provides the employer with a signed affidavit certifying that he or she was unemployed during the 60 days before beginning work or, alternatively, worked fewer than a total of 40 hours for someone else during the 60-day period (the IRS is currently developing a form employees can use to make the required statement)

-        was not hired to replace another employee, unless such employee voluntarily quit or was terminated for cause

-      is not a family member

 

The HIRE Act provides employers with incentives to retain employees for at least one year and applies to both for-profit and not-for-profit private sector employers of any size, as well as public higher education institutions.

Posted: 04/13/2010 |PDF

COBRA Extension Through March

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided a temporary subsidy for the cost of COBRA continuation health coverage. The COBRA premium subsidy was extended for the first time in December 2009. On March 2, 2010, the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 extended the eligibility period for the subsidy again. The Temporary Extension Act also clarifies some questions regarding the subsidy and provides premium subsidy eligibility  for individuals who experienced a reduction in hours of employment before their involuntary termination.

Posted: 03/08/2010 |PDF

DOL Model CHIPRA Notice

Posted: 02/19/2010 |PDF

CHIPRA Legislative Brief

Posted: 02/19/2010 |PDF

COBRA Premium Subsidy Extension

Posted: 12/23/2009 |PDF

Health and Welfare Plans Compliance Update

Posted: 12/16/2009 |PDF

Focus on that insurance open enrollment packet

With the rise in healthcare costs more employers than ever are making changes to their group benefits portfolio, which ultimately means more out of pockets expenses to the enrolled member.  Here we have an informative article on the growing importance of becoming knowledgeable about our health coverage benefits and open enrollment ideal time to learn about plan changes and how they can affect you.  While most workers simply notice the premium changes each year, one of our Senior Partners, John McDonnell, is quoted and warns there are more than just premium changes ahead.  Please take an opportunity to read more of this excellent article found in the N&O.

Posted: 11/01/2009 |Full Article

Understanding Trend and the Impact on Your Renewal

Posted: 10/30/2009 |PDF

Employers May Reward Healthy Habits

THE NEWS & OBSERVER

By Robert Pear

 

In its effort to overhaul health care, Congress is planning to give employers sweeping new authority to reward employees for healthy behavior, including better diet, more exercise, weight loss and smoking cessation.

A web of federal rules limits what employers and insurers can do now.

Congress is seriously considering proposals to provide tax credits or other subsidies to employers who offer wellness programs that meet federal criteria. In addition, lawmakers said they would make it easier for employers to use financial rewards or penalties to promote healthy behavior among employees.

Posted: 07/21/2009 |Full Article

Benefits Bulletin : Treasury, IRS Issue New Proposed Regulations for Cafeteria Plans

On August 3, 2007, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued new proposed regulations for employee benefit plans under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. The plans, called "cafeteria plans," allow employees to make a choice between receiving taxable cash compensation or tax-free employee benefits, such as healthcare, dependent care, and other fringe benefits.

Posted: 09/01/2008 |PDF |Full Article

Benefits Bulletin : National Defense Authorization Act Amends Federal FMLA

I-9 Do's and Don'ts to Help On January 28, 2008, President Bush signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Among other things, NDAA expands the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to permit a "spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin" to take up to 26 workweeks of leave to care for a "member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is otherwise in outpatient status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list, for a serious injury or illness."

Posted: 07/01/2008 |PDF

Benefits Bulletin :: 2009 HSA/HDHP Limits Released

In This Issue: 2009 HSA/HDHP Limits Released, Leading Trends in Rx Plan Managemnet, Keeping Your Healthy Employees Healthy, 10 Tips for Employers with Retirement Plans.

Posted: 05/01/2008 |PDF |Full Article

Benefits Bulletin :: HIPAA Deadlines

The final HIPAA Nondiscrimination and Wellness Program Regulations were issued in December 2006. The final regulations include guidance on HIPAA’s prohibition on discriminating with respect to health factors and provide conditions that certain wellness programs must satisfy to comply with the nondiscrimination rules. The regulations became effective for health plans renewing on or after July 1, 2007. Thus, calendar-year health plans should be aware that the final regulations take effect with respect to them on January 1, 2008. Non-calendar-year health plans with plan years beginning on or after February 1 will have to comply beginning on the first day of the next plan year.

Posted: 03/01/2008 |PDF |Full Article

Benefits Bulletin :: Developing a Wellness Program Operating Plan

In this issue: Developing a Wellness Program Operatin Plan, Workers Satisfied with Healthcare Benefits, Doctors and Pharmacists Do Not Always Mention Generic Alternatives to Their Patients.

Posted: 01/01/2008 |PDF |Full Article