Client Connection Center
User Name:
Password:
Retrieve your login info

Employee Benefits

HCR: DOL Issues Model Exchange Notice, Sets Compliance Deadline

ACA requires employers to provide all new hires and current employees with a written notice about the Exchanges. This notice was originally required to be provided by March 1, 2013, but that deadline was delayed. On May 8, 2013, the DOL set a compliance deadline of Oct. 1, 2013, and also released model Exchange notices for employers to use. Read the details here.

HCR: Proposed Rule Released on Minimum Value and Affordability

On May 3, 2013, the IRS released a proposed rule on the minimum value and affordability rules under the ACA. In this proposed rule, the IRS provides guidance on determining whether health coverage under an employer-sponsored plan is affordable and provides minimum value for purposes of determining the employer "pay or play" penalties.

Benefit Buzz

This month's edition discusses HIPAA certificates required for 2014, HHS plans to delay SHOP exchanges and HHS exchange application and coverage form drafts.

Early Renewals Offered to Small Employers

To help mitigate the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on health insurance premiums, some health insurance issuers in the small group market have been encouraging small employers to renew their coverage early for 2014. This Brief describes the early renewal options offered by certain issuers and outlines legal concerns that employers should keep in mind when considering these options.

Human Resource

2014 Compliance Checklist

Many of ACA's key reforms will become effective in 2014, including health plan design changes, increased wellness program incentives, a new reinsurance fee, the employer "pay or play" mandate and additional reporting requirements. To prepare for this next phase of ACA reforms, employers should review upcoming requirements and make sure they have a compliance strategy in place. This Legislative Brief provides a health care reform compliance checklist for 2014.

ACA Mandates: Different Measures of Affordability

Several key ACA reforms measure the affordability of employer-sponsored health coverage. Effective for 2014, the affordability of an employer's health plan may be assessed for (1) the shared responsibility penalty for large employers; (2) the premium tax credit for low-income individuals to purchase health coverage through an Exchange; and (3) the individual mandate. This document provides a summary of the different measures of affordability for these ACA mandates.

Limited Purpose FSA

Limited-purpose flexible spending accounts allow you to pay for qualifying medical expenses tax-free while reducing your taxable income, but are they right for you?

Wellness

June Newsletter

The Live Well, Work Well Newsletter is a seasonal newsletter that is produced monthly and discusses interesting topics in employee health and wellness. This month's issue focuses on home safety, common exercise excuses and summer savings tips.

Summer Safety, Summer Fun

This newsletter provides information on how to have a safe and healthy summer by being aware of issues such as allergy attacks, water dangers, foodborne illness and more.

Workplace Wellness: Wellness Initiatives to Promote an Active Lifestyle

This article provides activities and incentives to help employees become more active.