Discontinuation of Cost-Sharing Subsidies in the Marketplaces
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October 16, 2017 - The Trump Administration has indicated it will stop paying cost-sharing subsidies immediately to insurance carriers.The cost sharing subsidies are available to individuals making 250% or less of the Federal Poverty Level.
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Trumps Executive Order on Health Care
 October 16, 2017- On October 12, President Trump signed an Executive Order described as “Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across State Lines.” Legal challenges to this Executive Order are anticipated.
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Telemedicine and HSAs
 October 13, 2017 - As health care costs continue to rise, so does the demand for cost-control strategies. One such strategy is telemedicine.
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Data Breach Risks During Annual Enrollment
 October 6, 2017- Cybercriminals, identity thieves and hackers are willing to take drastic measures to infiltrate the data-rich annual enrollment process. How can you mitigate this risk?
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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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Annual Enrollment Keeping Employees Engaged
 September 26, 2017 - Annual enrollment can be intimidating for both employers and employees. Many employers are utilizing various communication channels and the support of their brokers to find the best fit for their workforces.
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Benefits Buzz Newsletters
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Benefits and HR tips updated on a monthly basis.
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Live Well Work Well Newsletters
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A newsletter bringing readers information about healthy living.
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Medicare Part D Notices Due by Oct 14
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September 14, 2017- Employers should confirm whether their health plans’ prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable and prepare to send their Medicare Part D disclosure notices by Oct. 14, 2017.
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Employee Retention- A Strategic Approach
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September 5, 2017- Attracting good talent is difficult, but it’s getting harder and harder to keep talent in place. A strategic approach is essential to attract and retain the right talent.
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New York Paid Family Leave Law
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August 18, 2017 - Last month, Governor Cuomo announced final regulations implementing New York’s nation-leading Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. Nearly all private employees in New York State will be eligible for Paid Family Leave. An employer with employees working in New York for 30 or more days in a calendar year must obtain Paid Family Leave coverage.
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Revised I-9 Form Now Available
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July 19, 2017 - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
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Local News- Minneapolis sets minimum wage to 15 per hour
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July 12, 2017 - The City of Minneapolis has approved raising its minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024, after a long debate among business owners, workers, and the city council.
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PCORI Fees Due by End of July
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June 1, 2017 - Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including HRAs, should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2017 deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
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Sick & Safe Leave Rule- Ordinances in Minneapolis and St Paul
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May 31, 2017 - The cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have issued ordinances requiring employers to provide earned sick and safe time to employees, effective July 1. 2017.
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The Annual HR Audit
 May 24, 2017 - Why you need an annual HR audit and what you need to know. A seven point checklist to help make sure your audit is complete.
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AHCA Passes in the House
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The bill passed with a close vote of 217-213 and faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
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House Republicans Withdraw the AHCA
 On March 24, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Speaker Paul Ryan pulled from the floor the American Health Care Act (AHCA) once it was clear that the bill was short on votes to pass. Effectively, this means the AHCA will not survive to become law and, at this time, any future efforts to repeal and replace the ACA are uncertain.
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The AHCA-- What Employers Need to Know
 The good news for employers is that most of the changes will be targeted for the individual market, rather than employer-based health insurance. The bad news is that the new dynamics will affect the insurance industry at large in unpredictable ways, which could re-create the confusion and uncertainty of the early ACA years.
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American Health Care Act -Congressional Republicans’ ACA Replacement
The proposed American Health Care Act (“AHCA”) retains many of the ACA’s key features while making substantial changes in other areas.
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House Committees Release Proposed Legislation to Repeal and Replace the ACA
On Monday, March 6, the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees released the American Health Care Act (AHCA), their proposed legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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Trends in Discrimination & Harrassment Lawsuits
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The problem of discrimination and harassment in the workplace continues to be a big issue for employers—in part because employees are filing more retaliation claims, and because definitions are expanding.
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Compliance Update IRS Accepting Tax Returns Without Indication of Health Insurance
 The IRS has announced that it will continue to process tax filings of individuals whose returns do not indicate whether they have maintained health insurance as required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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2017 Employee Benefits Trends
 Analysis of the differing needs, perspectives, and desired mix of compensation and benefits will inform which benefit offerings will provide the most value and touch the largest segment of your employee population.
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OT Regulatory burdens shift to states
 Government regulation in the areas of overtime pay and minimum wage will certainly see some changes as a new administration settles in at the White House.
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President Trump Issues Executive Order on the Affordable Care Act
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President Trump moved swiftly after taking office on Friday, issuing an Executive Order intended to minimize the economic and regulatory burdens of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). The order is somewhat symbolic and has no immediate effect.
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Employee Benefits in 2017 - Change is coming - How will it affect you?
It’s probable that most employers won’t see big changes in 2017, but warn that they will need to work closely with their brokers and carriers to stay informed and plan for changes in the future.
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Congress Passes Law Explanding Use of HRAs by Small Employers
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On December 7, 2016, the Senate passed the 21st Century Cures Act (“Cures Act”), an omnibus measure that includes the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (“Relief Act”), which significantly expands small employers’ options for providing health coverage.
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Improving Quality of Care Hinges on Employee Engagement
 Improving the engagement of your employees at your health care organization can improve the quality of care delivered to patients.
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IRS Provides a 30-Day Extension for Furnishing Forms 1095
No  vember 29, 2016 -- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Notice 2016-70, which extends the deadline for furnishing Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to individuals from January 31, 2017 to March 2, 2017.
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Judge Blocks Overtime Rule Set to Take Effect December 1
 November 23, 2016 -- On Tuesday, November 22, a federal judge issued a nationwide injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) from implementing its new overtime rule scheduled to take effect December 1, 2016.
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Post-Election Returns What Now for Obamacare?
 November 10, 2016 -- The votes have been counted and Donald Trump is the president-elect and Republicans control Congress. While it is impossible for anyone to predict the future, we undertake to make a short, best guess about the future of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”).
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Federal Contractors and Close Friends
 October 25, 2016 -- There is significant change on the horizon for federal contractors. The Department of Labor (DOL) issued the Paid Sick Leave Rule (Executive Order 13658) for federal contractors and it takes effect on January 1, 2017.
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Workplace Bullying
 October 11, 2016 -- Bullying is said to affect 65 million workers annually. Being a target of bullying is said to have greater long term effects on its victims than victims of sexual harassment.
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Enrollment Counts for Transitional Reinsurance Fee Due Nov 15 2016
Sept. 28, 2016--Employers with self-insured major medical plans are reminded to report their membership count to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) by November 15, 2016.
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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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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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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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Performance Management is Much More Than a Yearly Review
 May 19, 2016-- While yearly employee reviews are important, the most effective performance management strategy is a ongoing, year-round process
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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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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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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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Onboarding new employees and the growth of mentoring as way of improving retention
 Feb. 2, 2016--The tightening labor market means you have to think strategically about the process of introducing new employees to your company. This “onboarding” process is an essential investment, one that helps reduce the costs of losing talent.
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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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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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Employee Recruitment Build Creative Strategies for Marketing Your Employment Brand to Future Workers
 Nov. 18, 2015--In this environment, employers need a strong strategy for attracting and retaining workers, and must be able to show the value of their company’s brand to prospective employees.
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New Rules on Overtime Pay on Track for 2016
 Oct. 25, 2015--Employers should be planning now for changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which include the federal regulations on overtime pay for workers.
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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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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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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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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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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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Total Worker Health Introduction
 March 2, 2015--Total worker health is not a program. It’s a culture shift and is bigger than safety, human resources or wellness alone.
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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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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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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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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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Ebola Preparedness Resources
 Oct. 21, 2014--The Ebola Response Center contains links to articles and other resources, including an upcoming Webinar discussing the virus, what’s occurred so far, appropriate precautions and even pandemic preparedness.
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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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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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The Women’s Economic Security Act--WESA
 May 15, 2014--Businesses in Minnesota should take a careful look at The Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) law (actually a package of nine laws) and update their employee manuals and policies accordingly.
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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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NLRB’s Ruling on First Transit Could Affect Employers’ Social Media Policies
 May 6, 2014--The NLRB ruled that handbook language prohibiting discourteous conduct or inappropriate attitudes is over-broad. The ruling was widely seen as having an impact on how employers can set workplace policies, including social media use.
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The New “Ban the Box” Law—What It Means For Employers
 May 5, 2014--The new “Ban the Box” law applies to all Minnesota employers. Pre-existing laws prohibiting the hiring of convicted criminals under certain circumstances for specific jobs or require a background check are not superseded by this law.
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Vacation and PTO What do employers owe departing employees?
 May 2, 2014--This article discusses an employer’s obligation for paying unused vacation time when an employee leaves.
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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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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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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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Overtime Expansion
 March 27, 2014--President Obama has instructed the Department of Labor to update the Fair Labor Standards Act. The FLSA currently regulates overtime eligibility. The president is specifically calling for an increase in the salary-basis test currently set at $455 per week.
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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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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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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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The Disability and Medical Leave Minefield
 January 15, 2014--Many employers are not currently in compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act and the changes made by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Acts. Part of the reason disability and leave management are often overlooked is because the laws regulating these areas are complicated, overlapping, and often unclear about the employer’s obligations.
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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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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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What to Know About the New OFCCP Regulations Regarding Affirmative Action for Veterans and the Disabled
 Jan. 2, 2014--Changes to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act will likely affect businesses that are contractors and subcontractors of the U.S. Government.
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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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New Ruling On Criminal History Questions in Minnesota
 Dec. 24, 2013--Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, Minnesota employers are no longer allowed to ask applicants to disclose their criminal record or criminal history before either selecting them for an interview or making a conditional offer of employment.
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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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Mitigating Risk Through Effective People Strategies
 December 6, 2013--Learn how an effective people strategy can help mitigate risk and improve overall employer operations in this interview with HR Consultant Krysta Mitchell.
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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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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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Internship Programs Under the Fair Labor Standards Act
 October 1, 2013--The Department of Labor issued a fact sheet in April 2010 regarding internship programs and compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The fact sheet provides general information to help determine whether interns must be paid the minimum wage and overtime for the services that they provide to “for-profit” private sector employers.
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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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Understanding the Value of Integrated Risk Prevention
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Sept. 10, 2013--Developing a results-oriented risk reduction plan and supporting it with a well-structured insurance program can help companies reduce overall risk costs. But that can be easier said than done.
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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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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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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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Coach to Values Not Behavior
 May 14, 2013--Leading a group of human beings is very complex. How a person approaches problems, people, the pace of the environment and procedures demonstrate a person’s preferred behavioral styles.
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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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The Millennial Workforce Millennials and the Recruitment-Retention Process
 May 6, 2013--Not surprisingly, this generation that grew up in a highly techno-driven society, Millennials use a variety of online resources when job-hunting, and may even prescreen potential employers based on how e-literate they are.
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The Millennial Workforce: What Management Should Know
 May 6, 2013--In the coming years, companies and management have to adapt to the unique mindset of the incoming Millennial (or Generation Y) employees but also face the loss of the retiring Boomers, who take with them decades of knowledge.
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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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Preventing Talent Voids
 April 18, 2013--The workforce is aging, more people are retiring or approaching retirement than are joining the workforce, and education systems seem to lag behind the needs of business. Getting ahead of this trend can help you prepare your organization and position it for the future.
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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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Transportation Fringe Benefit Limits
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Feb. 8, 2012--The IRS issued final regulations on “qualified transportation fringe benefits” under Code Section 132.
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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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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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Payroll Tax Cut Extended
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March 5, 2012--The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 will extend the two percentage point payroll tax cut that has been in effect since the beginning of 2011.
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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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Why Sales Managers Fail
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Sept. 20, 2012--The Sales Manager position is one of the most difficult in a company. The success or failure directly impacts the profitability of the company. The purpose of this article is not to discuss all the contributing factors to failure of those in the position of Sales Manager, but rather to address some of the hidden reasons for lack of success.
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Wellness Program Band-Aid
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Sept. 30, 2011--Focusing on behaviors is like putting a Band-Aid on a tumor. To impact the causes of poor wellbeing, companies need to focus on how people think about their choices and strengthening judgment.
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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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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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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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Wage Continuation Reporting
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May 24, 2012--The practice of wage continuation has been deemed inappropriate when the carrier is not notified of the lost time resulting in inaccurate reporting to the state bureau for unit statistical purposes regarding a company’s experience modif
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Good Coach - Bad Coach
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Feb. 17, 2012--Leading employees to personal and professional growth can be challenging. It is often easier to just give them the answer when they have a question. The good coach would instead ask them a question in return.
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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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American Jobs Act- Legislation Update
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Oct. 1, 2011--President Obama presented the American Jobs Act, including the Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011. Based on this proposal, the Act will prohibit employers and employment agencies from discriminating against uunemployed job-seekers.
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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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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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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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Family Medical Leave Act Updates
Feb. 12, 2013--The US Department of Labor recently made updates to the Family Medical Leave Act. They removed certification and notice forms from FMLA regulations and made changes to the military sections of the rules.
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Defining the Employment Status of Interns
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Feb. 17, 2012--Applying the term “intern” to a position does not exempt the employer from federal and state minimum wage and overtime laws. The positions must meet certain criteria, or they are subject to the same laws as employees.
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NLRB Posting Requirement Delayed
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Jan. 4, 2012--The National Labor Relations Board announced that it was delaying the implementation of its rule requiring covered employers to post notice of employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act.
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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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Hiring Considerations- Arrests & Conviction Records
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April 27, 2012--The EEOC voted and approved revisions to the use of arrest and conviction records in the hiring process. The approval addresses which factors an employer should consider when utilizing criminal conviction history.
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Four Pillars of Organic Growth
Feb. 17, 2012--Strong organic growth depends on the successful execution of four disciplines. These four disciplines function as pillars that form the structural integrity of your talent development plan.
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Communication Strategies
Sept. 30, 2011--When people are not responding correctly, it’s time to stop and assess before you respond. You might first ask: How are we as leaders contributing to the problem? Have we failed to understand the needs and personalities of our people
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RJF Hires Heather Roiger
 Aug. 30, 2011--Marsh & McLennan Agency, recently hired Heather Roiger as its newest human resources consultant.
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NLRA Rights Notice
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Aug. 31, 2011--The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issues final regulation requiring employers to post National Labor Right Act (NLRA) Rights Notice.
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Minnesota E-Verify
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Aug. 31, 2011--E-Verify required for Minnesota business that provide $50,000 worth of services to the State of Minnesota.
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Helping the New Workforce to Interdependence
 Jan. 23, 2013--How do you manage those who feel entitled and view themselves as being “above the law?” Those in HR and many managers struggle with how to understand and work with any person who displays those kinds of attitudes.
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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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Trends in Employment Law Claims — Looking Ahead
 Heather Roiger, MMA HR Consultant, and Dan Hanson, MMA Director of Management Liability, explore what employers can expect in 2013 employment claims and what factors will influence the potential for employment liability issues.
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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 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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Trends in Employment Law Claims — Looking Back
 Dec. 19, 2012--The increase in both employment law claims and award amounts has generated significant concern among all employers, both large and small. Here we provide a thumbnail analysis of recent years’ employment claims.
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Addressing Employee Needs Following Disaster
 Nov. 30, 2012--Employers need to recognize that, while their employees want to support the rebuilding and recovery process following a disaster, they are also struggling with personal priorities and issues.
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Tip Sheet - Resources for Employees following disaster
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Nov. 6, 2012--Following a disaster, employees need support too. We've aggregated various agencies and programs that would be of most use to employees and their families post-disaster.
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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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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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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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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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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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Amy Diedrich
 Amy Diedrich, Employee Benefits Consultant. Contact: +1 763 548 8594, amy.diedrich@marshmma.com
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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--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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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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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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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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Webinar--Unweaving the World of Leave Managment
 Presented on Feb. 13, 2014
Learn about the legalities and proper procedures for leave management.
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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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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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Webinar--Bring Sustainable Culture Change to Your Organization
 Recorded on June 12, 2012, Duration: 65 minutes
To make permanent changes to your culture, leaders and employees must be open to changing the way they think about themselves and others.
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Webinar--Leadership Development
Recorded on May 9, 2012, Duration: 1 hour
Developing current and future leaders is critical to the growth and sustainability of any organization. No culture change or employee engagement effort can succeed without quality leaders. Effective leadership development needs to be approached with a long-term strategy, just like any other organizational initiative.
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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--Prevent Turnover with Pre-employment Screening
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Presented on January 30, 2013
Prevent employee turnover and see how different pre-employment screening tools can help your organization. Please note: There was a technical issue with the recording, but the presentation is available for download.
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Seminar--January 2014 Labor & Employment Law Presentation
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View the presentation from the January Labor & Employment Law seminar.
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Human Resources Consulting
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Human resources consulting services from Marsh & McLennan Agency - Upper Midwest.
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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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School Risk Prevention
 In addition to school insurance, our in-house consultants offer safety consulting; claims management, advocacy and reduction; human resource consulting; health management and wellness consulting; employee benefits; and management liability insurance.
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Ebola Risk and Pandemic Preparedness
 Thursday, November 6, 10 a.m. CST.
Join the panel discussion with Marsh and CDC on Ebola risk and pandemic preparedness.
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Workshop--Getting Back to Business-Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
 Thursday, October 9, 2014, 8:30-11:30 AM - MINNEAPOLIS
Natural disasters and man made catastrophies can bring normal community and business activities to a screaching halt. Learn how to minimize the impact of a disaster and get back to business faster when one does occur.
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Workshop -- Succession Planning & Knowledge Transfer
Thursday, August 28, 2014, 8:30-11 AM - MINNEAPOLISLearn the skills needed to develop succession and knowledge transfer programs.
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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.