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Insurance

Injured worker? Contest unemployment if worker quits before giving you a chance to help

05/06/2013
Here’s some good news: As long as you are willing to accommodate an employee’s medical condition, you won’t face liability for unemployment compensation if she quits. And the employee has to tell you she needs that accommodation. If she just quits, she won’t be eligible.

Know the regs that help avoid ACA free-rider penalties

05/02/2013
The bottom line for you to avoid free-rider penalties under the Affordable Care Act is not to have employees obtain health insurance on the individual exchange and qualify for premium tax credits or other cost sharing reductions.

Can the company ‘profit’ from the share of health premiums charged to employees?

05/01/2013
Q. After several large health insurance claims last year, our president decided to increase the premiums deducted from employees’ paychecks. However, the rate he has directed to be deducted is higher than the rate at which we are billed for the spouse and dependent coverage. Is it legal to make money off of the “premiums” we ask em­­ployees to pay?

Design health plan to attract low-wage workers

04/25/2013
With data showing how employee income and health-benefit plan participation are closely intertwined, a new study is sounding alarm bells for employers that must begin complying with the affordability mandates of the Affordable Care Act next year.

Health care reform: California weighs in on essential health benefits

04/23/2013
States will play an important role in implementing the provisions of the ACA. For California employers with between 50 and 100 employees, recent legislative developments may add some complexity to ongoing discussions about the ACA’s “shared responsibility” or “play-or-pay” requirements.

Small biz insurance choices limited in 2014

04/12/2013
In a tacit admission that the Affordable Care Act is suffering teething pains, the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month postponed for a year plans to offer a variety of affordable health insurance plans to small businesses starting in 2014. In many states the Small Business Health Options Program will be limited to a single insurance plan in the first year.

Health care reform: Prepare now for changes coming in 2014

04/11/2013
Last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ACA. Since then, a primary concern for employers has been how to effectively prepare for the employer mandate requiring most employers to provide health insurance benefits. Although the mandate takes effect in 2014, implementation of several requirements will depend on cir­­cumstances that unfold this year.

Get more from high-deductible health plans

04/08/2013

More employers are turning to high-deductible health insurance plans. But don’t automatically assume that they’ll cut your organization’s costs.

Don’t get stung by Obamacare’s play-or-pay provisions

04/03/2013
The IRS has released regulations for determining the hefty penalties that apply when Affordable Care Act-covered employers fail to offer health insurance to employees starting in 2014. The rules seem daunting, but it’s critical to understand them.

Learn how to count employees under ACA’s employer mandate

03/21/2013
Oddly, determining how many employees you have is one of the trickiest parts of the health care reform law. The answer matters: You could wind up paying big penalties next year if you miscalculate.