DOL Releases Updated Model CHIP Notice
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 […]
Employee Spotlight: Kaylin Northam
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 […]
IRS: Health FSAs Cannot be Used for Insurance Premiums
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 […]
CA Court of Appeal: Board or Lodging Not Counted Towards Minimum Salary Required for Exemption
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 […]
Employee Spotlight: Maggie-Mae Laufman
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 […]
CA Court of Appeal: Employers May Provide Waiting Periods Before Employees Become Eligible to Earn Vacation
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 […]
IRS Releases Draft 2017 Forms 1094 and 1095
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 […]
HHS Releases New HIPAA Breach Reporting Tool
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 […]
Medicare Drug Premiums Projected to Decrease in 2018
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 […]
Employee Spotlight: Our President, Bryan Hummitzsch
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 […]