Blog

Model Notice Informs Employees of Eligibility for Premium Assistance Under Medicaid or CHIP An updated model notice for employers to provide information on eligibility for premium assistance under Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is now available for download from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Click here to download the latest employer CHIP […]

Our President, Bryan Hummitzsch What’s your favorite place in the world?  Kaanapali, Maui What are you passionate about?  I am passionate about home stability. As both my wife and I came from split homes with difficult financial situations growing up. I want my daughter to always know her home is a safe and secure place. […]

Our Benefits Broker, Betsy Keesler What’s your favorite movie?  “Out of Africa” currently, but as a child it was “Bedknobs & Broomsticks” What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?  Myself. What is your favorite family tradition?  Family dinners every other Friday with my entire family: Meaning my mother, husband, daughter, and my sister’s […]

Model Notice Informs Employees of Eligibility for Premium Assistance Under Medicaid or CHIP An updated model notice for employers to provide information on eligibility for premium assistance under Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is now available for download from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Click here to download the latest employer CHIP […]

Our Asst. Account Executive, Kaylin Northam   What’s the last book you read?  House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski. Read at your own risk! What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?  Once, I was out in the desert riding my dirt bike. I got a little cocky, and was riding a bit outside of […]

Payments for Medicare Premiums Also Prohibited A recently released IRS letter reaffirms the agency’s view that funds from a health flexible spending arrangement (health FSA) may not be used to reimburse health insurance premium payments or Medicare premium expenses. Certain Premiums May be Deducted The IRS letter points out that health insurance premium payments, including those for Medicare, may be […]

Employer-Provided Meals or Lodging Cannot Be Used as Credit According to the California Court of Appeal (First Appellate District), monetary payments alone determine whether the mandated minimum salary rate for exempt status has been met. Opinion In determining exempt status, monetary payments alone determine whether the mandated minimum salary has been met under state law. The court noted that California follows the […]

Our Marketing Director, Maggie-Mae Laufman What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? I am on the Board of the YR club of Valencia, and I am working on a plan to implement a drug awareness program into our local school district, that is mandatory for all students to take. I feel this is […]

Decision May Impact Workplace Policies and Practices The California Court of Appeal (Fourth Appellate District) has released an opinion stating that employers may provide waiting periods before employees become eligible to earn vacation. Opinion According to the opinion, an employer may provide a waiting period before an employee becomes eligible to earn vacation, and if the employer’s policy is clearly stated, the waiting period […]

Final 2017 Versions to be Released Later The IRS has released draft versions of the Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C that employers and insurers will use in early 2018 to report on health coverage offered in the 2017 calendar year. 2017 Draft Forms The following draft forms are now available for 2017: Draft Form […]