Insurance

DOL releases model ACA notices, revises SBC template

06/30/2013

The Affordable Care Act health care reform law requires you to provide all current and new employees with a notice regarding health insurance coverage by Oct. 1, 2013. For 2014, new hires must receive notice within 14 days of their start date. The DOL also updated its FAQs and the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) template for the second year of coverage.

2014 inflation adjustments for HSAs/HDHPs released

06/25/2013

The IRS has announced the 2014 inflation-adjusted figures for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).

ACA young-adult provisions shifting health costs to insurers

06/21/2013

The Affordable Care Act provision that allows adult children to remain on their parents’ health insurance policies through age 26 shifted at least $147 million in health care costs from patients and hospitals to insurance companies in 2011, according to a RAND Corp. study.

Janitor’s health insurance woes a cautionary tale for employers

06/20/2013

When a Maplewood man went to an appointment following colon cancer surgery, his doctor told him his health insurance had lapsed. It turns out, an avoidable HR paperwork mix-up nearly left him destitute and could have threatened his health.

‘Wheel of Fortune’ could land worker in jail

06/19/2013

A North Carolina postal worker could wind up working in a prison mail room after pleading guilty to workers’ compensation fraud. Her problems began when former co-workers spotted her on the television game show “Wheel of Fortune.”

Prepare now for the next round of MLR rebates

06/19/2013

Group health insurers that don’t spend between 80 and 85 cents of every premium dollar on medical care and health care quality improvement must make medical loss ratio (MLR) rebates to employees. This year’s rebates are due by Aug. 1. Take these steps now to prepare.

Kraft improves worker health with new integrated strategy

06/17/2013

Integrating its employee wellness, productivity and health care programs into a unified strategy helped Kraft Foods Group reduce its medical spending growth trend from 8% in 2009 to 1.2% in 2012.

HEXs and SHOPs: Welcome to the new world of health benefits

06/13/2013

Under the Affordable Care Act, open enrollment for the individual health exchanges, or HEXs, begins Oct. 1, 2013. The outlook for the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOPs, through which small employers may buy health insurance is a bit more complicated. Here’s where things stand.

DOL issues revised model COBRA notice

06/12/2013

The DOL last month published an updated version of its model COBRA election notice, as well as model notices that employers can use to tell employees about their options for buying health insurance through the new state exchanges.

New wellness rules allow premium incentives

06/11/2013

Employers will be able to offer rich incentives for employees to participate in workplace wellness programs under final rules issued May 29 by the Obama administration.