Insurance

IRS issues one-year delay for reporting health costs on W-2s

10/19/2010

The health care reform law signed in March includes a provision that requires your organization to report the value of the health insurance provided to an employee on the employee’s Form W-2. But the IRS said last month that it will delay the requirement for at least one year. We’ve got links to the IRS documents that explain the postponement.

Business and tax provisions in the Small Business Jobs & Credit Act of 2010

10/13/2010

With the economy still struggling and lawmakers looking to take some sort of pro-business action before the November elections, Congress passed the Small Business Jobs Act in September, a $42 billion measure to provide tax breaks and loan assistance to small businesses. President Obama signed the bill on Sept. 27, 2010. Here are the highlights of this legislation that affect businesses:

New rules make it easier to appeal health claim denials

10/13/2010

Regulations released last month by the U.S. Department of Labor guarantee people the right to appeal health insurance claims denials directly to their insurers—and then, if necessary, to an external review board.

Adult children and health insurance: Know the new law’s intricacies

10/07/2010

The new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act significantly changes the health care landscape for many employers. Some aspects of the law took effect in September 2010. Most significantly, employees’ children are eligible for coverage until age 26. The new coverage requirement affects all plans renewing on or after Sept. 23, 2010.

‘Gradual Return’ program lets moms come back on their own schedule

09/30/2010

New parents don’t have to rush back to work at Verizon if they sign up for the telecommunications giant’s “Gradual Return to Work” program after childbirth or an adoption. Instead, they return to work on a reduced work schedule and maintain full coverage for their health and other benefits.

COBRA subsidies expiring: DOL offers guidance

09/28/2010

The federal government has answers for terminated workers who are concerned that their COBRA continuation health insurance coverage may soon get more expensive or expire all together. As federal subsidies for COBRA coverage start running out, be ready with information when your former employees call.

If food were health care …

09/20/2010

If food prices rose at the same rate as medical costs since the 1930s, a pound of apples would now cost $12.97, and a dozen eggs would cost $85.08. Other comparisons from the inflationary market basket:

Must we pay premium during unpaid leave?

09/17/2010

Q. I am a small employer with a group medical plan. If an employee takes an approved unpaid leave of absence, am I required to continue my premium subsidy during the unpaid leave? We have 22 employees and aren’t required to comply with FMLA.

Must we provide health insurance coverage for employees’ adult children?

09/16/2010

Q. How does the new health care reform law affect coverage for adult dependent children under a group health plan?

Cutting health care costs: The 3-legged stool

09/07/2010

As premiums continue to rise and reforms have added new complexity (and looming new costs), the C-Suite is pushing HR for solutions. With insurance plan renewals fast approaching for many employers, there’s even more urgency. Reducing employers’ health insurance burden requires balancing three strategies: cost shifting, cost reduction and plan changes.