Insurance

Does a natural disaster make former employees eligible for unemployment benefits?

08/22/2013

Q. We had to close down our business because of the damage caused by a natural disaster. Are our employees entitled to unemployment benefits?

Beware manipulating head count to dodge ACA employer mandate

08/19/2013

Trimming staff or cutting employee hours solely to dodge the employer mandate could run afoul of ERISA.

ACA regs modify HIPAA

08/16/2013

Long before the Affordable Care Act, there was the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Among other provisions, HIPAA sets rules for wellness programs, limits pre-existing condition exclusion periods to no longer than 12 months and requires plans to provide employees with certificates of coverage. The ACA and its implementing regulations amend several HIPAA provisions.

ACA’s employer mandate postponed one year, until 2015

08/14/2013

The IRS has postponed until 2015 the Affordable Care Act’s mandate for large employers to provide health insurance to full-time employees or pay a free-rider penalty. Not postponed: The Oct. 1, 2013, opening of the individual exchanges and the small business exchanges, or SHOPs. Also not postponed: W-2 reporting of employees’ health benefits. Crucial: You also need to provide the exchange notices to all employees by Oct. 1

Here’s an alternative source for health insurance info, options

08/12/2013

There’s an alternative to www.Healthcare.gov for small employers that need information about their options for buying health benefits for their employees.

Slower health care cost growth may be lasting trend

08/12/2013

The cost of health care is expected to rise just 6.5% in 2014, according to a new report by the consulting firm PwC, a full percentage point lower than the 7.5% growth rate projected for 2013. Even better news: PwC analysts believe this might not be just a year-to-year dip.

Obesity is Now a ‘Disease,’ AMA says; What’s That Mean for HR?

08/09/2013

The American Medical Association (AMA) this summer officially designated obesity as a “disease”—instead of as a condition. The AMA’s designation does not carry any official change in the law or regulations. But experts say it could increase the likelihood that obese employees will be deemed “disabled” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), plus increase your organization’s workers’ comp costs.

Hospital pumps benefits for nonsmoking employees

08/08/2013

As long as they don’t smoke, the 600 employees of Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore can get free annual physical exams and discounted medical plan premiums.

What do we need to consider when crafting a policy on unpaid intern injuries?

07/26/2013

Q. We recently started to provide unpaid internship opportunities to local college students… The interns are not subject to the same process as other permanent or temporary employees in terms of background checks and workers’ compensation insurance. Now we’re looking at how best to structure this relationship to address issues such as what happens if an intern is hurt at a client facility. How should we approach this?

DOL issues new model ACA notices, SBC templates

07/25/2013

Whether you offer health benefits or not, by Oct. 1, 2013, you must tell employees they can buy coverage through state-based exchanges. The DOL has issued model notice language you are free to use.