Alternative to Affordable Care Act Unveiled
 August 31, 2016 - The House GOP, led by Speaker Paul Ryan released their alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on June 22.
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Understanding the Medical Loss Ratio
 August 31, 2016 - The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance carriers to spend a specific percent of premium revenue providing coverage (paying claims, providing clinical services and quality improvement).
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Amy Diedrich
 Amy Diedrich, Employee Benefits Consultant. Contact: +1 763 548 8594, amy.diedrich@marshmma.com
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DOL Proposes Changes to Annual Reporting for ERISA Plans
 August 4, 2016 -- The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently proposed revisions to Form 5500 (Annual Return/Report for Employee Benefit Plan), the related schedules, and the rules that govern the forms.
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Effectively Managing Crises and Reputational Risk For Health Care Organizations
 July 25, 2016--One critical way that health care organizations can be prepared for such events is to have a crisis management plan in place.
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Final Rule on ACA Nondiscrimination Provisions
 July 25, 2016--The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of, among other grounds, sex (including gender identity) in certain health programs and activities.
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AIR System Will Remain Up and Running After June 30th Deadline
 July 2016 --While the deadline to electronically file Affordable Care Act (ACA) information returns with the IRS passed on June 30, 2016, the ACA Information Returns (AIR) system used to electronically file those returns will remain up and running.
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Marketplace Subsidy Notices What Employers Need to Know
 July 12, 2016- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reportedly mailed out notices to employers, dated June 21, 2016, informing them one or more of their employees have is eligible for a premium subsidy.
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Minneapolis Approves Paid Sick Leave Law
 June 20, 2016- Minneapolis is the first city in Minnesota to require employers with six or more employees to provide paid sick leave.
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PCORI Fees due by August 1 2016
J  une 13, 2016-- Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming August 1, 2016 deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
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Beware of FICA-Reduction Arrangements using Wellness Programs
June 1, 2016--Certain FICA-reduction arrangements are being marketed to employers that are intended to reduce and employer's FICA obligation by increasing employee's pre-tax salary reductions.
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Final FLSA Overtime Regulations to Take Effect December 1 2016
 May 18, 2016--The United States Department of Labor announced its new regulations for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
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Coming Soon New DOL Overtime Rules
 April 27, 2016--Under the new FLSA regulations, that salary threshold will increase to $970 per week or $50,440 per year.
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DOL’s Final Fiduciary Rules for Investment Advisors Apply to HSAs
 April 26, 2016-- The DOL finalized its fiduciary regulations which, among other things, expand the definition of who is an ERISA fiduciary to those providing “investment advice” with respect to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
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HHS Announces Start to Phase 2 of HIPAA Audit Program
 April 12, 2016--The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the start of phase 2 (Phase 2) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Audit Program.
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Administration Extends Temporary “Fix” For Individual And Small Group Plans
March 17, 2016-- Relief was once again extended for all non-grandfathered coverage in the individual and small group markets for policy years beginning on or before October 1, 2017, provided that all policies end by December 31, 2017.
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HHS Finalizes 2017 Out-of-Pocket Maximums and Marketplace Guidance
 March 30, 2016--HHS published the final version of its 2017 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters. The Notice is issued each year as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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Agencies Release New Summary of Benefits and Coverage Templates
March 8, 2016 -- Health care reform expands ERISA’s disclosure requirements by requiring that a summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) be provided to applicants and enrollees before enrollment or re-enrollment.
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FSA Discrimination Testing
 Feb. 25, 2016- -Discrimination testing of an FSA plan is required on an annual basis to assure the plan has been implemented to the benefit of all employees and not just a select few.
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Lawsuit alleges Dave & Buster's reduced hours to avoid ACA
 Feb. 23, 2016 -- A class action was filed by employees of Dave & Buster’s asserting that the employer interfered with their rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) by reducing their work hours to below 30 in order to avoid the ACA’s employer mandate.
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New Agency Guidance and Relief on Offering Student Health Insurance
 Feb. 21, 2016--The Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services (the Departments) issued a technical release (2016-01) addressing the application of market reforms and other provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to student health coverage.
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Mercer Releases 2015 Health Plan Survey Results
 Feb. 3, 2016--The Mercer National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans tracked health benefit costs for both small (1-499 employees) and large (500+ employees) employers to help determine the effects of rising health care costs.
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EEOC Reminded That Congress Writes Laws
 Jan. 11, 2016-- The federal court for the Western District of Wisconsin ruled for Flambeau and against the EEOC, holding that the employer’s Health Risk Assessment (HRA) was protected by the statutory safe harbor.
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Congress Extends Parity to Mass Transit Benefits – Permanently
 Jan. 15, 2016-- Recently the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (CAA), which, among other changes to the Internal Revenue Code, permanently and retroactively restores parity by equalizing the limits for pre-tax parking and commuter benefits.
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ACA Reporting Delayed
Jan. 3, 2016 -- On Dec. 28, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2016-4 to delay the due dates for filing and furnishing forms under Section 6055 and 6056.
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IRS Addresses ACA Rules for Employer-provided Health Coverage
Jan. 3, 2016 -- IRS notice clarifies numerous ACA issues, including opt-out payments and rules for employer-provided health coverage
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Cadillac Tax Delayed
Dec. 23, 2015-- On Dec. 18, 2015, President Barack Obama signed a federal budget bill for 2016 into law, which makes significant changes to three tax provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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A Year of Change - Employee Benefits in 2016
 Dec. 9, 2015--A tight job market and compliance with new rules regarding overtime pay will be leading issues for HR managers in 2016. Additionally, more emphasis on wellness, and new regulatory and legislative challenges are likely in 2016.
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Cadillac Tax Delay
Dec. 17, 2015--Recently a tax bill was released that could place a two-year moratorium on the ACA medical device tax and the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage.
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Affordable Care Act amended the Fair Labor Standards Act FLSA
 November 9, 2015 -- President Obama recently signed bipartisan budget legislation that, among other things, repeals health care reform’s automatic enrollment requirement.
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2016 FSA Adoption and Commuter Limits Released
 Oct. 28, 2015--The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released the 2016 §125 health flexible spending arrangement (HFSA) contribution limit.
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ACA Small Group Expansion Repealed
 Oct. 9, 2015--President Obama signed the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act into law, repealing the ACA's requirement that the small group market in every state be expanded to include businesses with 51-100 employees.
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IRS Issues Final 2015 Health Plan Coverage Reporting Instructions
 Sept. 21, 2015--Certain employers must provide information to the IRS about the health plan coverage they offer employees. On Sept. 17, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service released final 2015 versions of the forms and instructions employers will use.
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Consider Hiring a Vet or his or her spouse or dependent
 October 2, 2015 -- Employers who are not interested in potentially incurring pay-or-play penalties under ACA but who are looking to expand their workforce beyond 50 FTEs should consider hiring a U.S. military veteran or his or her spouse.
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ACA Reinsurance Fee Overview
September 30, 2015--The transitional reinsurance fee is a temporary fee charged to health insurance issuers and third party administrators (TPA) of self-insured plans that is to be used to help stabilize premiums for coverage in the individual market.
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Draft 2015 ACA Reporting Instructions Require Reporting by Employers with HRAs
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September 16, 2015--The IRS has released draft 2015 instructions for the B-Series and C-Series reporting forms that will be used by employers and coverage providers to report certain information regarding employment and health coverage.
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Managing ACA Tracking & Reporting Requirements for 2015
 Aug. 31, 2015--Determining the number of full-time employees under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has emerged as one of the more complicated—and potentially costly—issues that large employers face. Finding the right tools and approach is critical.
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Agencies Finalize Preventive Care Rules
 August 26, 2015 -- The Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor, and Health and Human Services (the “Agencies”) have released final regulations on several aspects of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) preventive care requirements.
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IRS Releases Draft 2015 Instructions for ACA Reporting Forms
Aug. 18, 2015--The IRS has released draft 2015 instructions for reporting forms that will be used by employers and coverage providers to report certain information to full-time employees and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
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New MNsure COBRA Special Enrollment Period
Aug. 14, 2015--On August 14, 2015, the Minnesota health insurance Marketplace, MNsure, issued a bulletin creating a special enrollment period (SEP) for current COBRA enrollees. The SEP will begin August 17, 2015, and continue through October 15, 2015
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ACA Reporting Penalities Increased
July 15, 2015 -- President Obama just signed a major trade bill containing a section stiffly increasing penalties for ACA reporting noncompliance.
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IRS Issues More Cadillac Tax Insights
Aug. 5, 2015 -- The IRS released Notice 2015-52 which seeks public comment on a range of IRS ideas for how to implement the ACA’s excise tax on high cost employer health coverage, also known as the “Cadillac tax,”.
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IRS Releases 2016 HSA Account & Plan Limits
July 29, 2015 -- The IRS has released the 2016 cost-of-living adjustments affecting health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).
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Minnesota Senior Living Reimbursement Reform 2015
 July 24, 2015--Minnesota recently enacted legislation that will provide additional funding to skilled nursing facilities for a variety of employee issues, including health benefits, dietary staff, nursing, social services, and activities costs.
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Agencies Issue Final SBC Rules
July 24, 2015 - The Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, and Health and Human Services (the “Agencies”) released final regulations (“Regulations”) for the Affordable Care Act’s (“ACA’s”) Summary of Benefits and Coverage (“SBC”) requirements.
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ACA Preventive Service Mandate
July 21, 2015 - The DOL, HHS, and IRS have jointly issued final regulations addressing health care reform’s preventive services mandate.
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Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
 June 29, 2015 -- The Supreme Court issued it's much-anticipated decision on same-sex marriage.
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Supreme Court Saves the ACA
J  une 26, 2015-- The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the availability of subsidies on the federal health insurance exchanges.
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IRS Releases Updated ACA Reporting Forms
June 24, 2015 -- The IRS has released draft 2015 versions of Forms 1094 and 1095 in anticipation of mandatory filing of these information returns in early 2016.
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Prepare For US Supreme Court Health Insurance Exchange Ruling
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June 18, 2015--The U.S. Supreme Court is debating a case challenging the legality of the IRS’ decision to extend ACA premium tax credit subsidies to individuals who purchase health care coverage through the federally-run health insurance exchange.
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Out-Of-Pocket Limit Rules for 2016
June 1, 2015 -- Under the ACA, all non-grandfathered group health plans must ensure that annual out-of-pocket cost sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance and copayments) for in-network essential health benefits does not exceed certain limits.
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Women's Preventive Care Under ACA
May 31, 2015 -- The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasure, jointly released clarification on group health plans and insurance carriers' responsibilities to cover contraceptives and other preventative services.
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What's Trending in Employee Benefits Compliance
 Thursday, July 16, 2015, 1-2 PM CSTAs employers continue to struggle with rising health care costs and the administrative burdens of health care reform, new products and solutions are being presented as a way to minimize those concerns.
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Affordable Care Act - A Mid-Year Update
Thursday, June 18, 2015, 1-2 PM CSTHealth Care Reform has left many employers feeling unprepared and ill-equipped to make educated decisions about their benefit plans.
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The Legal Ins and Outs of Consumer Driven Plans
Thursday, May 21, 2015, 1-2 PM CSTJoin this Webinar to receive a explanation of the legalities of consumer driven plans.
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ERISA Disclosure Requirements
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May 1, 2015--There’s been a lot of talk about plan documents, ERISA e-disclosure requirements, and Department of Labor audits. In Thomas v. CIGNA, a court ruled against an employer who could not prove it employee received a Summary Plan Description.
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The Cadillac Tax
May 4, 2015 -- Beginning in 2018, the ACA imposes a nondeductible excise tax (the “Cadillac Tax”) on employers, health insurance issuers, and/or entities administering plan benefits if the aggregate value of applicable employer-sponsored coverage exceeds the specified threshold limit.
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EEOC Proposes Rules For Wellness Programs
 April 21, 2015 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released new regulations on incentives offered under employer wellness programs.
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HHS Updates Cost-Sharing Rule
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March 19, 2015--HHS issued a “clarification” to the ACA cost-sharing rules that would require group health plans to embed an individual limit within the family limit. This rule is applicable to the group and individual market.
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Voluntary Benefits - Expanding Flexibility Building Loyalty
 March 10, 2015--As the employee benefit landscape continues to evolve, with health care reform pushing some changes and the trend of more consumer involvement and decision-making continuing to grow, voluntary benefits are getting more attention.
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DOL Revises FMLA Definition of Spouse
 March 2, 2015--The Department of Labor recently changed the definition of spouse to be based on a marriage's place of celebration and not state of residence.
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IRS Releases More Guidance on Employer Reimbursement Plans
 Mar. 2, 2015--Recently the IRS released Notice 2015-17 which continues to expand on prior guidance regarding employer payment plans.
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Anthem Cyber-Attack
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Feb. 11, 2015--On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Anthem Inc. released news that it was the victim of a cyber-attack in which the personal information on 80 million individuals was stolen. Anthem notes that its internal investigation is ongoing.
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Retroactive Increase to Mass Transit Benefit Limit
 Feb. 10, 2015--Employees' maximum pre-tax contribution limit for mass transit commuting expense has increased to $250 per month.
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Compliance Alert - Proposed Regulations Issued on Summary of Benefits & Coverage
 Feb. 10, 2015--New proposed regulations regarding the summary of benefits and coverage were designed to improve consumers' access to important health plan information.
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Employee Benefits Outlook for 2015 - Trends to Watch
 Jan. 13, 2015--As a new year begins, businesses are planning for 2015. In the area of health insurance and employee benefits, 2015 will see continued implementation of health care reform, with measures such as the employer mandate coming online.
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Employee Benefits 2014 A Year in Review
 Jan. 12, 2015--The world of Employee Benefits saw numerous changes this year. Take a look back at everything that has happened this year.
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Introducing Employees to Private Exchanges
 Jan. 6, 2015--The private exchange model holds a lot of potential to hold down health care costs and customize insurance plans to better fit enrollees' needs. But it requires employees to think differently about insurance and become more involved.
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FLSA Rule Change in 2015 Could Have a Big Impact on Employers
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Jan. 5, 2015--A change to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is expected in 2015 that would broadly expand the classifications of who is eligible for overtime pay. HR and employment law attorneys are recommending their clients begin preparing now.
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The Pros and Cons of Private Exchanges - Things Employers Should Know and Consider
 Dec. 2, 2014--As health insurance continues to evolve, the idea of a health care exchange—in which enrollees choose from a menu of insurance plan options—has become an increasingly appealing choice for millions of Americans.
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CMS Extends Reinsurance Fee Submission Deadline
 On Nov. 14, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the deadline to submit 2014 enrollment counts with respect to the 2014 Transitional Reinsurance Fee.
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Agencies Issue Guidance on Employers' Premium Reiumbursement Options for Employees
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Nov. 7, 2014--In clear and unambiguous terms, the U.S. departments of Labor and Health and Human Services and the IRS drove a stake into the heart of two health insurance strategies that have been promoted to business owners across the country.
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Medica Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota at Odds on Renewal Contract
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Nov. 5, 2014--Medica and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota are in a contract dispute. The Star Tribune reported on this yesterday, and Children’s recently sent letters to its patients insured through Medica informing them of the impasse.
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IRS Releases 2015 HFSA and Commuter Benefits Limits
 November 4, 2014--On October 30, the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) released the 2015 Health Flexible Spending Account and commuter benefits limits with the HFSA limit being raised.
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Health Plan Identifier Requirement Delayed
 November 4, 2014--On Oct. 31, 2014, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service announced large self-funded groups do not need to obtain the Health Plan Identifier (HPID) by Nov. 5, 2014 and delayed it until further notice.
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Feds Sue Honeywell Over Wellness
 Oct. 30, 2014--On Oct. 27, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued Honeywell, alleging that their wellness program violated the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).
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Lower Court Same-Sex Marriage Rulings Stand in Five States
Oct. 8, 2014--On Monday, Oct. 6, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from five states regarding lower court rulings overturning state bans on same-sex marriage.
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Looking beyond MNsure's 2015 premium rates release
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Oct. 1, 2015--At 11am today, state officials released some of the MNsure rates for the 2015 year and here are some early insights.
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How to avoid the COBRA bite - Explain all options to departing employees
 Sept. 25, 2014--Although COBRA is still around, it’s important for employers and employees alike to understand how the COBRA landscape has changed post-Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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Webinar -- Health Care Reform - December
Recorded on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, Duration: 1 hourHealth Care Reform has left many employers feeling unprepared and ill-equipped to make educated decisions about their benefit plans.
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IRA Issues Draft ACA Reporting Form Instructions
September 3, 2014 -- IRS Issues Draft ACA Reporting Form Instructions
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IRS Issues 2015 Affordability Rates
 August 13, 2014--The Internal Revenue Service recently updated the percentages for determining affordability under health care reform for 2015.
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IRS Issues Draft ACA Reporting Forms
July 30, 2014 - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) release draft forms that applicable large employers and health insurance issuers will use to report information regarding health coverage.
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Webinar -- Hobby Lobby verdict
Recorded on July 10, 2014, Duration: 15 minutesLearn more about the Hobby Lobby Decision and its potential impact for employers.
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Hobby Lobby Case
MINNEAPOLIS, July 3, 2014--In a 5-4 decision announced June 30, 2014 in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., the United States Supreme Court (the “Court”) ruled that the federal government erred in requiring for-profit, faith-based employers to pay for certain forms of birth control that contradicted their religious beliefs.
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MNSure COBRA Special Enrollment Period
On June 24, by broker bulletin, MNsure announced a special enrollment period (SEP) for COBRA participants lasting until July 15, 2014.
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Webinar -- Health Care Reform
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Recorded on September 9, 2014, Duration: 1 hour
Health Care Reform Update
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Final Rule on Orientation Periods
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June 20, 2014 -- The Federal regulatory agencies in charge of health care reform guidance (the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services) released final regulations (“Final Regulations”) clarifying the relationship between a group health plan’s eligibility criteria and the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) 90-day limit on waiting periods.
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Employee Choice SHOP Delay
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June 12, 2014 -- One of the promises of the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP) marketplaces was to allow employees the ability to choose between tiered health plans from multiple carriers.
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IRS Rules Employer Payment Plan EPP Arrangements Violate ACA Requirements on Annual Limits
 May 23, 2014--Referencing Notice 2013-54, issued last September, the IRS stated that EPP arrangements are considered employer group plans, which violate Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements such as the prohibition on annual limits.
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News Release - Seven Marsh & McLennan Agency Employees Earn New Affordable Care Act Certification
 May 20, 2014--To better help employers navigate the ACA, seven members of MMA’s Twin Cities employee benefits group became certified through the National Association of Health Underwriters’ (NAHU) new Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act course.
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Updated CHIP Notice Available
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May 5, 2014--The U.S. Department of Labor released an updated Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) notice. The updated form now includes information on the new public exchanges (Marketplaces) and the potential for premium assistance.
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COBRA Exchange Special Enrollment
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May 5, 2014--The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a bulletin creating a special enrollment period (SEP) of 60 days for COBRA participants to choose an exchange plan even though open enrollment has ended.
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The State of Manufacturing® Results Optimistic
 May 9, 2014--The results of Enterprise Minnesota's The State of Manufacturing survey project are intriguing. Most notable, however, is that confidence among Minnesota manufacturers is at its highest point in five years.
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Health Care Ricochet: New Solutions Called For as the ACA Threatens to Boost Workers' Compensation Costs
 May 9, 2014--Among the least-understood and seldom discussed consequences for employers is the possible relationship between the rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and workers’ compensation claims.
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IRS Releases 2015 HSA Account and Plan Limits
 April 30, 2014--The IRS has released the 2015 limits affecting Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs).
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Webinar--Public vs Private Exchanges
 Recorded on May 14, 2014, Duration: 1 hourLearn about the differences between public and private exchanges, the risks and rewards.
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Health Plan Identifier Overview
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April 23, 2014--Final regulations were issued requiring health plans to obtain an HPID beginning in 2014 with use being mandated starting November 7, 2016. This will affect most self-funded groups and does not affect fully insured plans. The regulations introduce two new terms to help groups determine which entities must obtain an HPID and how many HPIDs they will need.
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Small Group Deductible Limits Repealed
 April 15, 2014--The Affordable Care Act's small group deductible limits rule has been repealed. This could mean more benefit plan options for small employers. Read more about the impact of deductible limits.
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Employee Benefits in 2014 - Where are we now and where are we going?
April 14, 2014--When it comes to the benefits marketplace in 2014, the Affordable Care Act might be described as the whale in the room. The future of the health benefit market remains murky as the ramifications of the health care law are taking form.
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Non-Calendar Year Transition Relief
 March 31, 2014--The IRS and Treasury Department published Final Rules regarding the Employer Shared Responsibility provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Relief has been granted to non-calendar year plans subject to the employer mandate. The rules will allow them to comply with the mandate when their plan renews mid-year rather than on January 1, 2015. To take advantage of the transition relief, employers will have to meet certain criteria.
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ACA Employer Reporting
 March 25, 2014--The IRS has provided final rules regarding the employer reporting requirements of the Individual Mandate and Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. This reporting requirement will begin in 2016 for 2015 coverage information and applies to employers, plan sponsors, and insurance companies.
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Employee Benefits Strategy for 2015 - Penalties Mandates & Reporting Requirements Under the ACA
 March 21, 2014--This article will dig deeper into the health care reform changes by looking at things such as play-or-pay penalties, how to count eligible employees, and IRS reporting requirements.
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Webinar -- Self-funded Plans & the Affordable Care Act
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Recorded on July 17, 2014, Duration: 1 Hour
Learn how self-funded plans are treated under the ACA.
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Webinar--Wellness Program Legalities
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Thursday, June 19, 2014, 1-2 PM CDT
Learn about the legalities of creative benefit designs and the treatment of wellness plans under federal law (HIPAA, ADA, GINA).
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Webinar--Mercer Benchmark Survey
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Recorded on June 12, 2014. Duration: 1 hour
Review the latest Mercer Benchmark Survey results to help you in evaluating and creating competitive compensation offerings.
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Webinar--Employers Playbook - Pay or Play
Recorded on May 15, 2014, Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutesLearn how to identify full-time employees and how to track measurement and stability periods for hourly employees.
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Webinar--Complying with HIPAA Privacy Rules
 Recorded on April 17, 2014, Duration: 1 hour This Webinar satisfies HIPAA's training requirement for employees who handle protected health information.
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Workshop--Pay or Play - Minneapolis
 Thursday, June 19, 2014, 8:30-10:30 AM
Do you know how health care reform is going to financially impact your organization? Get the numbers and start making your strategic plan by attending this workshop.
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90-Day Waiting Period Rules and Eligibility Requirements
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March 3, 2014--Final rules have been released regarding the ACA prohibition on waiting periods exceeding 90 calendar days. The final rules formally adopt the proposed regulations in regard to waiting periods provided in March 2013, and, in a new development, provide proposed rules recognizing a one-month orientation period to be allowed before the start of the waiting period.
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Webinar--Discrimination Testing
Recorded on March 20, 2014, Duration: 1 hour
During this Webinar you will learn about the Affordable Care Act's rules on discrimination regarding cafeteria plans and self-funded group health plans.
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Employee Benefits Strategy for 2015 - Understanding Plan Design Options Under the ACA
 Feb. 20, 2014--We’ll look at four categories of plan design: fully-insured, self-insured, defined contribution, and no coverage. Within the four options, there are several considerations, including financial, administrative, and compliance issues.
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Final Rules on the ACA Employer Mandate
 February 11, 2014--IRS has released long anticipated final guidance regarding the employer mandate. The regulations are wide ranging and will require further analysis. Read the initial highlights.
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Webinar--Basics of Low-Cost Group Health Plans
 Recorded on Feb. 20, 2014, Duration: 1 hour
Learn about "skinny" plans and other ways organizations can comply with health care reform employer mandates.
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Webinar--Private Exchanges
Recorded on February 27, 2014, Duration: 1 hour
Learn about the evolving private exchange marketplace and what employers need to know when considering a private exchange.
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2015 is Right Around the Corner
January 13, 2014--As 2014 begins, we see the impact of many Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules becoming effective. The 90 day waiting period, prohibition of lifetime and annual maximums, and the insurer fee are just a few examples. While these were significant rules that have changed how employers and carriers provide benefits to employees, the greatest change is the employer mandate which will begin January 1, 2015.
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Webinar--Employer Benefits Obligations Post-DOMA
Recorded on Jan. 16, 2014, Duration: 1 hour
Learn about the U.S. v. Windsor decision and its impact on group health plans, to include guidance on imputing income for non-tax dependents.
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W-2 Health Insurance Reporting Review
 Jan. 7, 2014--The ACA requires large employers to report the “aggregate cost” of certain types of employer provided health coverage on an employee’s W-2.
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Employee Benefits - 2013 Year in Review
Dec. 23, 2013--The world of Employee Benefits saw many changes this year. Take a look back to make sure you are aware of all the issues that could impact your organization.
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Proposed Rules Regarding Excepted Benefits
 Dec. 30, 2014--The Departments of Treasury, Labor, and HHS released proposed rules that would amend regulations regarding excepted benefits. The proposed rules address the requirements necessary for dental and vision plans, and EAPs, to be treated as excepted benefits.
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Small Employer Premium Tax Credit for WI
 December 19, 2013--The IRS has released Notice 2014-6 providing small employer premium tax credit transition relief to small employers in certain counties of Wisconsin and Washington state.
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Same Sex Spousal Cafeteria Plan
 December 18, 2013--The IRS addressed how same sex spousal cafeteria plan and other tax favored arrangements would be treated in 2013 due to the Windsor decision. Plans should take immediate note of the pretax requirement as well the treatment of FSA expenses.
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Start Planning for ACA Mandates for 2015 Now
 Dec. 4, 2013--The Administration delayed the employer mandate which generally requires employers with more than 50 full time employees to offer health insurance to their employees. While the mandate is still over a year away from taking effect, employers may need to start planning now for how to handle their variable hour and seasonal employees.
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Marketplace Subsidies for Adult Children
 Dec. 3, 2013--Individuals, such as adult children through age 26, who do not also qualify as the employee’s dependent, may be eligible for ACA subsidies when purchasing individual coverage, even if they are eligible to participate in an affordable employer-sponsored plan.
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SHOP Enrollment Delay
 Nov. 27, 2013--The Department of Health and Human Services has announced a one year delay of online enrollment for small businesses purchasing group health coverage through the Federal SHOP Marketplace (Exchange).
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Final Rule for ACA Medicare Tax Rule Issued
 Dec. 2, 2013--The IRS has issued final regulations regarding the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax that was included in the Affordable Care Act.
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Public vs Private Exchanges
November 6, 2013--Recently, there has been a lot of news regarding the rollout of the new Affordable Care Act (ACA) public exchanges. While getting these exchanges up and running has been a public relations problem for the government, the concept of an online marketplace to purchase health insurance is not new.
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Updated CHIP Notice for Use Until 2016
 November 6, 2013--The Department of Labor has released an updated CHIP notice that employers can use until October 2016.
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FSA Use It Or Lose It Modification
 November 1, 2013--The IRS announced a modification to the “use it or lose it” rule regarding health flexible spending accounts (FSA). FSA owners will now be able to carryover a portion of their unused balance into the next plan year.
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Health Insurance Deadline Delay or Extension
Oct. 24, 2013--The White House today announced information regarding the deadline under the Affordable Care Act for requiring individuals to have health insurance.
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Federal Government Shut Down Implications for HR
 October 3, 2013--The operating status of the government remains unpredictable. It appears that there are no prospects that the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House will reach an agreement to fund the federal government for the 2014 fiscal year. The government shutdown, that started October 1, has several implications on human resources activities.
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IRS Issues Proposed Employer Reporting Rules
October 1, 2013--The IRS has released proposed rules related to Affordable Care Act employer and insurance carrier reporting requirements.
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HRAS FSAS and Premium Reimbursement Plans
October 1, 2013--The Department of Labor recently issued Technical Release 2013-03 which answers a question that has been unclear since the Affordable Care Act was passed. Can employers pay for the purchase of individual health insurance plans for employees on a tax free basis?
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Tax Treatment of Benefits Provided to Same-Sex Married Couples
September 3, 2013--The IRS has issued guidance clarifying the tax treatment of employee benefits provided to same-sex married couples. Due to the Court's ruling, health and welfare benefits provided to legally married same-sex spouses will now be subject to the same federal tax treatment as any other married couple.
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Out of Pocket Maximum Limits
August 13, 2013--Beginning in 2014 the Affordable Care Act requires that all health plans limit participant out-of-pocket maximums.
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Employer Shared Responsibility Rules Delayed until 2015
July 3, 2013--In a significant announcement on July 2, the Treasury Department announced that the employer shared responsibility rules (often called the “play or pay rules”) have been delayed until 2015.
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Impact of DOMA Ruling on Health and Welfare Plans
 July 2, 2013--The Court’s ruling regarding DOMA has changed the federal tax treatment of certain employee benefits provided to same-sex couples. There are also a many other administrative and benefit plan issues that employers must address.
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Hours of Service
 July 1, 2013--Hours of service are used in determining full-time employee status for purposes of the employer shared responsibility rules. Regulations have been provided for employers to use as guidance in determining benefit eligibility.
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The Affordable Care Act’s Penalties and Fees What Employers Need to Know
July 1, 2013--The impact of healthcare reform will soon be felt by all employers, large and small, making it essential that they understand the associated penalties and risks they may be facing.
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The Health Care Reform Penalty and Fee Risks for Large Employers
 July 1, 2013--When it comes to applying the Affordable Care Act’s risks and penalties, not all employers are affected the same, with applicable large employers facing specific risks and penalties unique to their situation.
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Final Rules for Wellness Plans
 June 7, 2013-- Final wellness program regulations have been issued. These regulations are based on the existing HIPAA wellness rules and the requirements contained in proposed rules issued in November 2012.
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Additional FAQs on SBC Requirements
May 31, 2013--Additional FAQs have been released regarding the summary of benefits and coverage requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act.
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PCORI Fees
 May 24, 2013--Certain employers may be responsible for paying a PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) fee as soon as July 31, 2013. This usually would be for plan years that ended on October 31, 2012, November 30, 2012, or December 31, 2012.
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Minimum Value and Affordability
 May 15, 2013--The IRS has released a proposed rule on the minimum value and affordability rules under the ACA. The proposed rule provides guidance on determining whether health coverage under an employer-sponsored plan is affordable and provides minimum value for determining employer “pay or play” penalties.
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Model Notice of Exchange
May 13, 2013--The Department of Labor has released guidance and model notice language for employers to use to meet the Affordable Care Act employee exchange notice requirement.
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90-Day Waiting Period Limits
 April 30, 2013--Proposed regulations addressing the Affordable Care Act’s prohibition on waiting periods exceeding 90 days were recently released. The proposed regulations are substantially similar to the August 2012 temporary guidance, but with some additional clarification.
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Webinar--Implications of the Election on ACA Rules
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Recorded on November 15, 2012, Duration: 30 minutes
During this Webinar, we will discuss the changes to your benefit and compensation plans you need to be ready for in 2013 as ACA provisions start coming due.
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FSA HRA HSA
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Feb. 12, 2012--The Affordable Care Act established a uniform standard effective January 1, 2011 that applies to all tax-favored arrangements, such as flexible spending arrangements (FSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs)
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Health Savings Account Plan Limits
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Dec. 29, 2011--The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the 2012 cost-of-living-adjusted HSA limits.
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SCOTUS Rules on ACA
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June 28, 2012--In what may be the most anticipated decision in at least a generation, the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the so called “individual mandate” contained in the Affordable Care Act.
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Grandfathering of Group Health Plans
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Dec. 8, 2011--As employers make changes to their plan’s benefits and contributions, the number of “grandfathered” plans has significantly decreased over the last year. Plans that lose that status must comply with additional provisions of the law.
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Comparative Effectiveness Fees
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May 1, 2012--The IRS has issued proposed rules addressing the comparative effectiveness research fees imposed by the Patient Protections and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on health insurance carriers and plan sponsors of self-insured health plans.
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HIPAA Audit Program
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Nov. 14, 2011--The Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is piloting a program to perform up to 150 audits of covered entities to assess privacy and security compliance related to HIPAA requirements.
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Medicare Part D
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Sept. 16, 2011 -- Employers that provide prescription drug coverage must disclose to plan participants who are eligible for Medicare Part D whether the prescription drug coverage provided under the group health plan is creditable or non-creditable.
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Proposed SBC Requirements
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Aug. 24, 2011 -- The Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, and Health and Human Services have released proposed regulations for the Summary of Benefits and Coverage requirement (SBC) contained in the Affordable Care Act.
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Health Care Reform Fees
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August 3, 2011--The IRS' Notice 2011-25 requests comments regarding the implementation of health plan fees which will help fund comparative clinical effectiveness research relating to patient-centered outcomes.
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COBRA Subsidy Ending
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Aug. 8, 2011 -- The COBRA subsidy provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will soon come to an end.
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What Employers Need To Know About MNsure
 April 5, 2013--The signing of the health insurance exchange bill in March authorizing the creation of a state-run health insurance exchange known as MNsure has been a game-changer for the health insurance arena in Minnesota.
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Same Sex Benefits
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On July 2, 2011, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee signed legislation that allows same-sex couples to form civil unions effective as of July 1, 2011. The law comes just days after New York passed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage.
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Essential Health Benefit Recommendations
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Oct. 20, 2011--Beginning in 2014, all individual health plans and small employer fully-insured health plans must include coverage for essential health benefits.
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Small Employer Choice Option Delayed on Federal SHOP Exchange
April 3, 2013-- The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that one of the options planned for small group insurance purchased through federally-operated exchanges will be delayed until 2015.
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CLASS Act Suspended
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Oct. 31, 2011--On Oct. 14 Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius released a report regarding the analysis and viability of the CLASS Act and announced that the Administration had decided to not move forward with its implementation.
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NLRB Posting Delayed
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Oct. 15, 2011--The National Labor Relations Board extended the implementation deadline for its notice posting rule from November 14 to January 31, 2012.
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Common Controlled Group Basics
 March 28, 2013--The Affordable Care Act placed new emphasis on the need to determine when related organizations must be treated as a single employer. Setting up different companies under separate tax ID numbers does not relieve related employers from being treated as a single employer under controlled group rules.
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Webinar--Health Care Reform & Compliance Update Q4
Recorded on Dec. 11, 2013, Duration: 1 hour
Stay ahead of health care reform and compliance changes. Prevent risk by making sure you have the most recent information.
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HHS Issues Definition of Essential Health Benefits
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Dec. 21, 2011--The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a bulletin outlining proposed policies that will give states flexibility to define the “essential health benefits” required by the Affordable Care Act.
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Cafeteria Plan Nondescrimination Requirements
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Feb. 8, 2012--Cafeteria plans must meet certain nondiscrimination requirements to ensure highly compensated key employees do not receive a disproportionate amount of tax-advantaged benefit.
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Wisconsin Changes Definition of Dependent
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Oct. 31, 2011--The state of Wisconsin has passed legislation that would largely change the state’s definition of dependent for insurance coverage purposes to more closely follow the new federal definition created by the Affordable Care Act.
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MN Taxation of Adult Children Coverage
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Aug. 23, 2011 -- The Affordable Care Act extended coverage for eligible dependents up to age 26. The value of coverage for adult children can be excluded from the employee’s federal taxable income if the dependent will not reach age 27 during the calendar year.
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HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices Update
 March 6, 2013--Final rules were published in January 2013 that resulted in changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Security Rules, Breach Notification Rule and enforcement.
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Methods for Determining Employer Plan Minimum Value
March 7, 2013--The IRS and HHS have released an employer plan minimum value calculator designed to assist employers in determining if their health plan meets the minimum value requirements of the ACA.
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Briefly From Bill - Three Upcoming Risks for Employers
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May 31, 2012--Three prominent risks facing employers include the upcoming health care reform ruling by the United States Supreme Court, a changing property and casualty insurance marketplace, and the pending storm season.
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W2 Reporting Requirement Guidance
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Jan. 10, 2012--The IRS recently released IRS Notice 2012-9 that provides employers additional guidance on the Form W-2 reporting requirement created under the Affordable Care Act.
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2014 Pay or Play Mandate
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The Play or Pay law requires that employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees must provide a minimum level of medical insurance for their employees. If organizations do not meet the government requirements, they must pay a penalty.
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2018 Excise Tax
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The government has imposed an excise tax or “Cadillac Tax” if a plan’s value is above the required maximum.
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Cobra Audit Guidelines Revised by IRS
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May 2, 2012--The IRS may be stepping up their efforts to ensure that employers are complying with COBRA when it recently updated its COBRA audit procedures on its Website last month.
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Updated CHIP Notice
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August 24, 2012--The DOL has updated the model notice that employers may use to satisfy the CHIP notice requirement.
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Section 105h Nondiscrimination Rules
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WHITE PAPER: Section 105(h) nondiscrimination rules are complex; however, a quick review of an employer's benefit, contribution and eligibility strategies will help determine whether or not they need to perform the detailed nondiscrimination tests.
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Final Regulations on Medical Loss Ratio
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Dec. 12, 2011--The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced final regulations on the medical loss ratio (MLR) requirements under the Affordable Care Act1.
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Statutory Disability 2012
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Feb. 7, 2012--Certain states mandate short term disability (STD) coverage for employees who work in those states. States have varying eligibility requirements that determine if an individual is eligible for disability insurance.
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Affordable Care Act Technical Release
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March 5, 2012--The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a technical release providing responses to questions from employers and other stakeholders regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions governing automatic enrollment, employer shared responsibility (sometimes referred to as “play or pay”), and waiting periods.
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DOL Begins Enforcing Affordable Care Act
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May 2, 2012--Written audit requests to health and welfare plans from the DOL have included inquiries related to various mandates under the Affordable Care Act. This marks the first appearance of ACA-related topics in DOL auditing practices.
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HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
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March 27, 2012--HIPAA requires that plan participants of employer-sponsored health plans receive a Notice of Privacy Practices. The requirement applies to several different types of health plans.
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Health Care Reform Employer Penalties
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April 2, 2012--Sunday’s Star Tribune featured a health care reform Q&A with RJF’s Mary Setter. Based on how the article was edited, there may be some confusion about how health care reform penalties work and are applied to employers.
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Annual Reporting Requirements
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Welfare benefit plans that have 100 or more participants enrolled on the first day of the plan year are required to file a Form 5500s (and attachments) each year.
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Health Savings Accounts in Wisconsin
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Wisconsin tax law was changed to treat Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions and earnings as tax-free for state income tax purposes.
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WI Tax Law-Health Insurance for Adult Children
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Nov. 11, 2011--Wisconsin employers no longer need to add the fair market value for health insurance benefits to an employee's income as long as a child has not turned 27 by the end of the tax year.
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Medical Loss Ratio Rebates
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June 4, 2012--Beginning in 2012, insurers must report their prior year MLR data to the Department of Health and Human Services by June 1 and if the minimum standards described above are not satisfied, premium rebates must be provided to policyholders no later than August 1.
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Adoption Assistance Programs
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Dec. 18, 2013--For employer-sponsored adoption assistance programs, the maximum amount excludible from an employee’s income in 2012 for the adoption of a child (both for regular and special needs adoptions) will be $12,650 (decreased from $13,360 in 2011)
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Dependent Care Regulations
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Sponsors of dependent care assistance plans are required to notify plan participants of the total tax-free benefit they received through the plan during the calendar year by January 31, 2012.
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Medicare Prescription Drug Act
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Group health plans must provide notice to Medicare-eligible participants advising whether prescription drug coverage provided under the plan is “creditable” or “non-creditable”.
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Group Term Life Insurance
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Internal Revenue Code Section 79 permits an employee to receive up to $50,000 of group term basic life insurance on a tax-free basis. The value amount over $50,000 must be added to the individual’s taxable income.
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Preventive Services for Women
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Aug. 8, 2011 -- On August 1, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted guidelines that require non-grandfathered health plans to provide women’s preventive services free of charge to participants.
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Medical Care Related Travel Expenses
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Sept. 30, 2011--Employees with a Health Flexible Savings Account (FSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) are able to claim medical care-related mileage for reimbursement at a slightly higher rate.
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HIPAA HITECH Omnibus Final Rule
 Feb. 5, 2013--The final omnibus Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act rule, makes a long list of significant changes to existing regulations.
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Tax Credits and Individual Tax Liability
 Feb. 5, 2013--The IRS has issued an amendment to final regulations regarding qualification for a premium tax credit when purchasing individual health insurance through a public exchange. In a separate set of guidance, the IRS clarified exemptions from the “individual mandate” tax beginning in 2014.
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Adjustment for Transit and Parking Benefits
 Jan. 22, 2013--The Internal Revenue Service released inflation-adjusted amounts for transit and parking benefits on January 11, 2013.
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Notice of Exchange Delays
 Jan. 24, 2013--The Department of Labor has officially stated the delay of the employer requirement to send a “Notice of Exchange” to employees.
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IRS Releases Guidance on Employer Shared Responsibility Rules
 Jan. 14, 2013--The IRS has released additional guidance related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer shared responsibility rules. The guidance includes proposed regulations and a series of questions and answers published on the IRS Web site.
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IRS Releases Guidance on Employer Shared Responsibility Rules
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Jan. 9, 2013--The Internal Revenue Service has released proposed regulations on the employer shared responsibility rules contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and a series of questions and answers.
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Parity for Mass Transit Plans
Jan. 9, 2013-- The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that addressed tax increases and automatic spending cuts, also included an extension for Qualified Transportation Plans.
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Employee Benefits Year In Review 2012
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Jan. 7, 2013--Review the changes that happened in 2012 in the world of Employee Benefits.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Annual Notice Requirements & Reminders
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Jan. 4, 2013--Group health plan sponsors should ensure compliance with the following notice requirements.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Group Term Life Insurance Imputed Income
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Jan. 4, 2013--Internal Revenue Code Section 79 permits an employee to receive up to $50,000 of group term basic life insurance on a tax-free basis. The value of an amount over $50,000 must be added to the individual’s taxable income. In addition, imputed income rules also may apply to voluntary or optional life insurance depending on the benefit plan structure.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Medicare Prescription Drug Improvements & Modernization Act
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Jan. 4, 2013--Employers must continue to fulfill annual requirements related to Medicare Part D with both their employees and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Disability Benefit Taxation
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Jan. 4, 2013--Employees who receive disability benefits (long term or short term) may be taxed on these benefits based on how the premiums are paid.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Cafeteria Plan Nondiscrimination Requirements
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Jan. 4, 2013--Cafeteria plans must meet certain nondiscrimination requirements to ensure highly compensated key employees do not receive a disproportionate amount of tax-advantaged benefit.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Section 105H Nondiscrimination Requirements
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Jan. 4, 2013--Self-funded, or self-insured, health plans are also subject to certain nondiscrimination requirements in terms of benefits, eligibility and contributions. There are two “tests” that a plan must pass.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Annual Reporting Requirements
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Jan. 4, 2013--Welfare benefit plans that have 100 or more participants enrolled on the first day of the plan year are required to file Form 5500 each year. Filing must be completed by the last day of the seventh month after the end of the plan year.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Dependent Care Regulations
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Jan. 4, 2013--Sponsors of dependent care assistance plans are required to notify plan participants of the total tax-free benefit they received through the plan during the calendar year by January 31, 2013.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Adoption Assistance
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Jan. 4, 2013--For employer-sponsored adoption assistance programs, the maximum amount excludible from an employee’s income in 2013 for the adoption of a child will be $12,650. Read more about at what income level this benefit begins to phase out.
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EB 2012 Compliance - Transportation Fringe Benefit Limits
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Jan. 4, 2013--The IRS issued final regulations on “qualified transportation fringe benefits” under Code Section 132. Read about what these benefits include.
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EB 2012 Compliance - HSA Plan Limits
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Jan. 4, 2013--If an employer offers a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to employees that is compatible with a health savings account, the HDHP must comply with minimum deductible and out-of-pocket maximum limits for 2013.
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EB 2012 Review - 2014 Employer Shared Responsibility Rules
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Jan. 4, 2013--The ACA requires that employers with 50 or more full-time employees must offer "minimum essential coverage" to all full-time employees. If an employer's plan does not meet certain requirements, they may be subject to penalties.
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EB 2012 Review - Summary of Benefits & Coverage Requirements
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Jan. 4, 2013--The ACA requires health plans and health insurance issuers to provide a summary of benefits and coverage to applicants and enrollees. Review the notification requirements.
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EB 2012 Review - Grandfathered Plan Status
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Jan. 4, 2013--Employers need to determine the "grandfathered status" of their benefits plan and what changes go beyond the permitted guidelines.
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EB 2012 Review - Timeline of Events
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Jan. 4, 2013--Reivew a timeline of compliance requirements by year.
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EB 2012 Review - Health Care Reform
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Jan. 4, 2013--The Supreme Court's decision to uphold PPACA and the outcome of the 2012 elections have prompted employers to start making plans and taking action regarding compliance with the PPACA.
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Wellness Program Guidance
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Dec. 4, 2012--Long-awaited guidance on several key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including requirements on essential health benefits, preventing pre-existing condition discrimination & employment-based wellness programs has been released.
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Increased Medicare Tax
Dec. 4, 2012-- The Affordable Care Act imposes an increased Medicare tax on higher income individuals. There are a couple of things employers need to consider when applying the higher tax rate.
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Small Group Insurance Regulations
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Nov. 21, 2012--The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released two sets of proposed regulations related to provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that are important to individual and fully-insured small group health plans.
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Impact of the Election on the ACA
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Nov. 12, 2012--With the re-election of President Obama and very little change in the make-up of Congress, the path to full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) now seems clear. Now it is time to move forward to implement what is necessary for each particular employer.
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Compliance Year-End Reminders
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Nov. 7, 2012--As the close of 2012 draws near, we wanted to provide employers with some year-end reminders about compliance deadlines that are coming up soon.
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ACA Impact on Small Businesses
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Oct. 2, 2012--The ACA has a significant impact on the health plans that employers offer to their employees. This summary provides an overview of many of the significant elements of the Act that are of particular importance to small employers.
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Definition of Full-time Employee
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September 5, 2012--The IRS released Notice 2012-58 which includes guidance related to the definition of full-time employee.
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SCOTUS Decision & the Impact on Employers
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August 7, 2012--The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the individual mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is constitutional. The Act's coverage mandates remain in effect and the implementation and administration of its various mandates will need to continue.
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Compliance Calendars
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This Compliance Calendar will help you determine your plan's filing obligations.
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HSA Limits for 2013
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June 4, 2012--The Internal Revenue Service has issued maximum contribution, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum limits for Health Savings Accounts and HSA-compatible high deductible health plans for the 2013 calendar year.
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FSA Limit
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June 4, 2012--The IRS issued Notice 2012-40, which provides guidance regarding the effective date of the $2,500 limit on salary reduction contributions for Section 125 cafeteria plan health care flexible spending arrangements and the deadline for amending plans to comply with the limit.
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Group Disability Insurance
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May 1, 2012--Studies show that working-age adults are more likely to suffer from a disability in a given year than they are to die. Unless it is offered through their employer, most adults have little, if any, disability insurance coverage.
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Benefits Buzz Newsletters
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Benefits and HR tips updated on a monthly basis.
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FAQ SBC Requirements
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March 27, 2012--The recently released FAQ's regarding the implementation of the SBC provisions contains 24 questions received by the DOL, HHS and the Treasury.
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Final Rule for Health Insurance Exchanges
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March 27, 2012--The Department of Health and Human Services published the final rule on Affordable Health Insurance Exchanges to provide states with a framework for establishing their exchanges while preserving flexibility.
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Regulations on Summary of Benefit & Coverages
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Feb. 15, 2012--The IRS, Department of Labor and Health and Human Services released final regulations regarding the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) requirement contained in the Affordable Care Act.
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Taxation of Domestic Partner Coverage
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Feb. 7, 2012--Many employers provide health plan coverage to their employees’ domestic partners. This coverage may be taxable on a federal level to the employee depending on several factors.
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Healthy Culture Great Company
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WHITE PAPER--Developing a process to change your company culture is not only an effective way to engage your workforce, it is the only way to make lasting changes to overall productivity, employee satisfaction and, consequently, the bottom line.
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Webinar--Health Care Reform and Compliance Update Q2
Recorded on June 5, 2013, Duration: 45 minutes
Stay ahead of health care reform and compliance changes. Prevent risk by making sure you have the most recent information.
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Webinar--Trends in Voluntary Benefits
 Recorded on May 8, 2013, Duration: 45 minutes
Voluntary benefits can help a company attract and retain top talent. Learn about national voluntary benefits trends and see how your company stacks up.
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Webinar--Medical Funding Concepts
Recorded on April 24, 2013, Duration: 1 hour
Learn about the different options available to fund benefits programs and which is best for your organization and balance sheet.
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Webinar--Trends in Benefits Administration Technology
 Recorded on February 12, 2013, Duration: 1 hour
Learn about the latest innovations and trends in benefits administration technology.
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Webinar--Health Care Reform and Compliance Update Q1
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Recorded on January 23, 2013, Duration: 45 minutes
Stay ahead of health care reform and compliance changes. Prevent risk by making sure you have the most recent information.
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Expense vs Investments
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While typically administered by the Human Resources department, the best benefits programs are seen as a strategic business asset worthy of c-suite attention and resources.
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The IRS has released the 2014 limits affecting Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). The minimum required deductibles will not change from the 2013 amounts, but the HSA contribution limits and the HDHP out-of-pocket (OOP) maximums will increase for 2014.