Business & Professions Insights

Safety Focused Newsletter  
Electrical Safety in the Workplace; Ergonomics Basics to Prevent Injuries

Benefits Buzz
DOL Supports Federal Court Ruling Invalidating ACA; Parts of AHP Final Rule Are Struck Down by Federal Court

HR Brief
Vote on Health Care Won’t Come Until After 2020 Elections; DOL’s Newly Proposed Overtime Rule: What’s Included

Safety Focused Newsletter  
6 Tips for Managing Stress at Work; Concussions in the Workplace

Benefits Buzz
Deadline Extended for EEO-1 Filing; BLS Data on Worker Access to Family Leave in 2018 Now Available

HR Brief
When it Comes to Employee Engagement, Communication is Key; The EEOC is Changing Things Up by Moving Online

Safety Focused Newsletter  
Recognizing Workplace Eye Wellness Month; Tips for Safe Spring Cleaning

Benefits Buzz
Proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020; DOL Increases Civil Penalty

HR Brief
Workplace Wellness is About More than Just Physical Health; Retaliation Claims Are Up, Are You Prepared?

Safety Focused Newsletter  
Don’t Let Winter Weather Cause Slips, Trips and Falls; Workplace Burns and How to Treat Them

Benefits Buzz
ACA Reporting; Wellness Plan Incentive Limits Removed by EEOC

HR Brief
Retaining Talent: Are Your Leaders the Problem?; Calculating OT? Double-check Your Math

Safety Focused Newsletter
Be Cautious of Unguarded Machinery; Do’s and Don’ts When Working at Heights

Benefits Buzz
The IRS is Beginning 2016 Pay or Play Enforcement: Here’s What You Need to Know; FSA Limit to Increase for 2019 

HR Brief
2019 Plan Limits:Everything You Must Know; Gen Z is Coming: Are You Prepared?

Safety Focused Newsletter The Dangers of Noise in the Workplace; Drinking Responsibly During Holiday Parties

Benefits Buzz
Options for HRAs Would Be Expanded Under Proposed Rule; Don’t Forget to Provide an SBC this Open Enrollment

HR Brief
What are you doing to prevent the flu?; Ok, Google, Time’s Up

Safety Focused Newsletter
Time Management Tips; 10 Health and Safety Tips for Laptop Usage

Benefits Buzz
Hardship Exemption Rules Eased for 2018 Individual Mandate; IRS Issues Letters to Noncompliant Employers

HR Brief
Health Care Costs Still Rising, According to Annual Survey; Don’t Leave Your Office Unprotected from the Flu

Safety Focused Newsletter
Avoid Getting Sick at Work; Parking Lot Safety Tips

Benefits Buzz
IRS and DOL Issue Guidance on Association Health Plans; Medicare Part D Notices are Due Before Oct, 15

HR Brief
Don’t Shortchange your Employees Financial Liability; Open Enrollment is Around the Corner

Safety Focused Newsletter
Staying Safe When Traveling for Work; Ways to Communicate with Peers You Disagree With

Benefits Buzz
2018 ACA Reporting Draft Forms Now Available; Two HSA Bills Passed by the House

HR Brief
CTE Programs Earn $1.2 Billion in Federal Funding; LinkedIn Voice Messaging: What You Need to Know

Safety Focused Newsletter
Safety Tips for Proper Lifting; Responding to a Workplace Accident

Benefits Buzz
Association Health Plans Expansion; Critical HIPAA Compliance Gaps Exposed by HHS

HR Brief
Ageism: Are Your Employees Affected; Can’t We All Be Civil?

Safety Focused Newsletter
Back Strain: A Workplace Risk for Every Employee; How Employees Can improve Workplace Communication

Benefits Buzz
ACA Affordability Percentages Will increase for 2019; IRS Announces HSA Limits for 2019

HR Brief
IQ or EQ: What’s More Valuable to your Company; Ignoring Diversity Training? You Should Reconsider

Safety Focused Newsletter
4 Ways Employees Can Supplement Wellness Programs; Benefits of Wellness Programs

Benefits Buzz
The Due Date for PCORI is Around the Corner; DOL Releases New Resources for Mental Health Parity Compliance

HR Brief
Warm Weather Dress Codes; Changes in the HSA Limit; Move Over Millennials

Safety Focused Newsletter
Responding to Workplace Violence; The Impact of Workplace Bullying

Benefits Buzz
Did You Miss the April 2 ACA Reporting Deadline? Here’s What’s Next; IRS Updates Employer Guide for 2018 Tax changes to Fringe Benefits

HR Brief
Worried About DOL Audits – Get Paid; Education Benefits

Safety Focused Newsletter
How Indoor Air Quality Affects Health; 3 Defensive Driving Tips That Could Save Your Life

Benefits Buzz
How to Handle an ACA Penalty Letter; The Importance of Plan Document Review

HR Brief
Compensable Time: What You Need to Know; FBI Warns of Direct Deposit Phishing Attacks

News You Can Use
IRS Reduces HSA Contribution Limit for Family Coverage

Safety Focused Newsletter
Health Tips for Shift Workers; Minding Your Mental Health

Benefits Buzz
Spending Resolution Affects ACA Taxes; New Rules for Disability Claims Take Effect Soon

HR Brief
New HHS Secretary is Focused on Opioid Crisis, You Should Be Too; 4 Things You Can Do to Manage Worst Flu in Decades

News You Can Use
The Impacts of Workplace Harassment in the #MeToo Era

Safety Focused Newsletter
Preventing Workplace Fires; Safety Tips for Older Workers

Benefits Buzz
Two Major Employee Benefit Changes; DOL Civil Penalties Increase for 2018

HR Brief
The Technology with Limitless HR Possibilities; 4 Things Your Employees Can Do to Improve Cyber Security

News You Can Use
Tax Relief for Businesses Located in Hurricane Disaster Zones

News You Can Use
Spending Resolution Affects ACA Taxes

News You Can Use
New Employer Tax Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave

Safety Focused Newsletter
Sedentary Working is a Top Health Risk; The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

Benefits Buzz
DOl Delays New Rules for Disability Benefit Claims; Plan Ahead with ACA Reporting

HR Brief
Online Portal for Employment Discrimination Claims; Senate Tax Bill Repercussions

News You Can Use
Delayed Deadline for Furnishing 2017 ACA Reports

News You Can Use
House and Senate Pass Tax Reform Bill

Benefits Buzz
Benefit Plan Limits for 2018 Announced; Individual Mandate Compliance Policy Reversed

HR Brief
DOL Provides Update on Overtime Rule; Opioids: a Health Emergency

News You Can Use
Update: OSHA Final Rule on Electronic Reporting

Safety Focused Newsletter
Declutter for a Safe Workplace; What to Do in the Event of an Active Shooter

Benefits Buzz
Latest ACA Repeal Bill Withdrawn; New Rules for Disability Benefit Claims May Be Delayed

HR Brief
Flu Season is Here: Is Your Business Prepared; Don’t Forget About Voluntary Benefits

News You Can Use
Equifax Data Breach Litigation Includes a Securities Suit

News You Can Use
As incidents of active shooters and other violence fill our news cycles, it is important that we take precaution and learn how to respond in the event of an emergency

Safety Focused Newsletter
Driving Safely After Dark; 5 Common Injuries to New Employees

Benefits Buzz
Court Orders EEOC to Reconsider Wellness Rules; New SBC Template Required for 2018 Open Enrollment

HR Brief
DOL Overtime Rule Defeated for Good; Avoiding Disaster Relief Scams

News You Can Use
October 14th Deadline for Creditable Coverage

News You Can Use
Form 5500 Extension Provided in Florida

News You Can Use
FEMA Disaster Assistance Following Hurricane Irma

News You can Use
Identity Theft: Has Your Personal Information Been Exposed?

Safety Focused Newsletter
Tips for Managing Workplace Fatigue; 5 Ways to Eat Healthier at Work

Benefits Buzz
Senate Rejects ACA Repeal Efforts

HR Brief
Updated Form I-9 Required Beginning Sept. 18; Harder Than Ever to Fill Jobs in U.S

News You Can Use
Natural Catastrophe & Disaster Fraud

HR Toolkit
How to Retain Millennials

News You Can Use
New Form I-9 Effective September 2017

News You Can Use
Update: OSHA Final Ruling on Electronic Reporting

Safety Focused Newsletter
Cyber Tips for Traveling; How to Avoid Distractions While Driving

Benefits Buzz
HIPAA Cyber Attack Response Checklist; New Fiduciary Rules

HR Brief
The Importance of Becoming a Better Listener; What does “Competitive Pay” Really Mean?

News You Can Use
Medical Malpractice Awards Uncapped in Florida

Safety Focused Newsletter
Managing Work-related Stress; Biking to Work Sets You Up for a Stress-free day

Benefits Buzz
ACA Employer Mandate; House Passes Changes to DOL Overtime Rule

HR Brief
House Passes Changes to Overtime Rules; Keeping Employee Handbooks Up to Date

News You Can Use
Navigating Healthcare Reform: Senate Releases Draft ACA Replacement Bill

News You Can Use
OSHA Signals Intention to Delay eElectronicReporting

Safety Focused Newsletter
Avoiding Workplace Concussions; Prevent Heat Sickness When Working Outdoors

Benefits Buzz
AHCA Passes House; Pre-existing Conditions under the ACA

HR Brief
Only One-third of Employees are Engaged at Work; Present a PR Crisis from Turning into a PR Disaster

News You Can Use
Update: OSHA Final Rule on Electronic Reporting

News You Can Use
On May 4, 2017, members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the proposed legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Safety Focused Newsletter
Prevent Text Neck; Protect Your Eyes From the Summer Sun

Benefits Buzz
ACA Replacement Bill Withdrawn, Now What; Cost-saving Strategy: Generic Drugs

HR Brief
EEOC to Maintain its Bipartisan Enforcement Plan; Trump’s Secretary of Labor Nominee Questioned on Overtime Rule; Employer Awareness

Safety Focused Newsletter
5 Ways to Prevent Digital Overload; 6 Simple First-aid Tips That Could Save a Co-worker’s Life

Benefits Buzz
House Republicans Release Legislation to Repeal and Replace the ACA; American Health Care Act: What Won’t Change

HR Brief
Retirement Uncertainty and Where to Turn; Saving With Health Care Literacy

Wellness Engineering Case Study
Nationally Ranked Healthiest Employer: a rapidly growing privately-held risk management and insurance brokerage firm with a multi-generational workforce started its wellness program in 2010. The firm started with activity challenges, an in-house newsletter and free gym memberships.

Safety Focused Newsletter
Staying Safe When Working Alone; Soft Skills and Conflict Resolution

Benefits Buzz
ACA and Employer Health Plans Under President Trump; Block Grants: What do you need to know?

HR Brief
Company Culture Might Be More Important Than You Think; DOL Overtime Rule: Update

Safety Focused Newsletter
Winter Worker Safety Tips; Benefits of a Smoke-free Workplace

Benefits Buzz
New Stand-alone Option Available for Eligible Small Employers; 2018 Final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Released

HR Brief
Stay Protected from Phone Tax Scams – 5 Red Flags to Avoid; Employee Leave-sharDonation Programs

Safety Focused Newsletter
Sedentary Working is a Top Health Risk; The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

Benefits Buzz
Overtime Rule Delayed Until Further Notice; ACA Reporting Deadline Delayed

HR Brief
DOL Overtime Rule Blocked; Handling Election Tension in the Office

National Health Observances Calendar
2017 National Health Observances Calendar

House Committees Release ACA Replacement Bills
On March 6, 2017, Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives issued two bills to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through the budget reconciliation process. These bills are collectively known as the American Health Care Act. If enacted, the new law would not repeal the ACA entirely, although it would make significant changes to key provisions. The ACA’s employer and individual mandates would be repealed retroactively beginning in 2016. Key consumer protections, like the ACA’s prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions and dependent coverage to age 26, would remain intact. 

Congress Clears Path for ACA Repeal
On January 13, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution for fiscal year 2017 to begin the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). At this time, Republicans have not agreed on a plan to either repeal or replace the ACA. However, a full repeal of the ACA cannot be accomplished through the budget reconciliation process. A full repeal of the ACA must be introduced as a separate bill that would require 60 votes in the Senate to pass. 

Employer Appeals of Exchange Subsidy Notices, Part 2
Beginning in spring 2016, employers started receiving notices from the Exchange if any of their employees were deemed eligible for health insurance subsidies through an Exchange.  Employers that receive these notices will have 90 days to file an appeal if they feel the eligibility determination was made in error. Find information on how to handle your organization’s appeal here. 

Employer Appeals of Exchange Subsidy Notices
Beginning in spring 2016, employers may receive notices from the Exchange if any of their employees have been deemed eligible for health insurance subsidies through an Exchange. Employers that receive these notices will have 90 days to file an appeal if they feel the eligibility determination was made in error. 

Navigating Healthcare Reform
2017 Benefit and Payment Parameters: Annual Limits on Cost Sharing; Large Employer and Small Employer Definitions; Marketplace Open Enrollment Period for 2017 and Later Years; Medical Loss Ratio Rules .  

Employer Reporting Requirements and Cadillac Tax Delayed
The ACA created new reporting requirements to Internal Revenue Code Section 6056. Under these rules, applicable large employers must provide information to the IRS about the health coverage provided to their full-time employees.  

Senate Passes ACA Small Group Market Rule Repeal
PACE Act repeals Healthcare Reform requirements on small group markets to be expanded to businesses with up to 100 employees.    

Final 1094C – 1095C Forms Released
Under the ACA, employers with over 50 full-time employees are subject to new reporting requirements effective in early 2016. In September, the IRS released final 2015 versions of Forms 1094-C and 1095-C, along with related instructions on how to properly meet reporting requirements.  

Embedded Out-of-Pocket Maximum for Family Coverage 

The ACA requires non-grandfathered health plans to include an annual limit on total enrollee cost sharing for essential health benefits (EHB). This annual limit is often referred to as an “out-of-pocket maximum” or “maximum out-of-pocket” (MOOP). New group health plans must embed an individual out-of-pocket maximum in the plan’s family coverage when the family out-of-pocket maximum exceeds the ACA’s out-of-pocket maximum for self-only coverage.

Certifications of Employee Eligibility for Subsidies
The ACA requires health insurance Exchanges to send a notice to employers regarding employees who purchase coverage through an Exchange and qualify for a health insurance subsidy. These notices are also called “Section 1411 Certifications” and are part of the process established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for verifying that only eligible individuals receive health insurance subsidies. Learn more about your responsibilities as an employer in this month’s ACA in the News.

Use of Temporary Staffing Firms by Larger Employers (ALEs)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a penalty on large employers that do not offer minimum essential coverage to “substantially all” full time employees and dependents by the 90th day of employment. Large employers that do offer coverage may still be liable for a penalty if the coverage is unaffordable or does not provide minimum value.

The Individual Mandate and Your 2014 Tax Filing
Because the individual mandate was applicable in the 2014 tax year, this is the first year individuals will have to disclose their medical status on their 2014 tax filing. Read this ACA in the news for an overview of the individual mandate and the new 2014 tax requirement.

Employer Reporting of Health Coverage – Code Sections 6055 & 6056
Under these new reporting rules, certain employers must provide information to the IRS about the health plan coverage they offer (or do not offer) to their employees. This ACA in the News includes an overview of the two IRS codes.