Blog

Tool to be Used in Breaches Affecting at Least 500 People The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a revised web tool for use in reporting breaches of unsecured protected health information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that affect 500 or more individuals. In addition to allowing entities to […]

Average Cost to Decline by $1.20 Per Month The average basic premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is projected to drop to $33.50 per month in 2018, down from $34.70 in 2017. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the estimated $1.20 monthly cost decrease this week. Final Premium Announcement Coming Soon […]

Our President, Bryan Hummitzsch Who inspires you?  My wife and daughter inspire me because I see them every day, pushing through obstacles, and set backs, but they always get back up and face their problems. They always achieve whatever goals they have set for themselves, and they inspire me every day. What was the best […]

Marketplace Special Enrollment Period Rules Also Modified The 2018 open enrollment period to obtain coverage in the individual Health Insurance Marketplace runs from November 1, 2017 through December 15, 2017, with coverage starting January 1, 2018. After this period, individuals can enroll or change plans only if they qualify for a special enrollment period. Special Enrollment […]

Reports Due by September 30 Federal contractors and subcontractors are advised that the reporting season for the 2017 VETS-4212 report begins August 1, 2017 and ends September 30, 2017.   Who is Required to File a VETS-4212 Report? In general, federal contractors and subcontractors who aren’t exempt and whose contract with any department or agency of the United States is at least $150,000 must annually […]

Our Benefits Broker, Betsy Keelser What’s the last book you read?  Hal Elrod’s “The Miracle Morning for Salespeople.” What are you passionate about?  Saving dogs, and finding a cure for cancer. What is the best pet you ever had?  Moose, my American Bulldog. He was cognitively deaf, but he was 90lbs of sweetness and love. […]

Employers Can Submit Comments through September 25, 2017 The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published a request for information (RFI) seeking input on its 2016 final rule which adjusted the salary thresholds for executive, administrative, and professional employees to be exempt from federal minimum wage and overtime pay requirements. What Was in the 2016 […]

Overnight, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Health Care Freedom Act, a bill which sought to repeal several requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While the future of the ACA repeal effort is unclear at this time, pending further developments, all existing ACA requirements remain in effect, including penalties for noncompliance. Read full […]

Our Benefits Broker, Betsy Keesler The Valencia Symphony Orchestra, Music For The Senses I met Andre and Patty Assaiante at an SCV Chamber Mixer last September and was thoroughly charmed by both of them.  I was handed a flyer for a new production coming to the SCV Performing Arts Center in October titled, Nosferatu, and […]

Our Asst. Account Executive, Kaylin Northam Who inspires you? My boyfriend Jonathan is my biggest inspiration. He has the best heart, and it inspires me to be the best version of myself as well. What was the best concert you ever attended?  I typically love grungy, dive bar metal bands, but I once saw Katy […]