Human Resources – Page 3 – Total Benefit Solutions Inc

ACA: Important Implementations & Delays in 2016

July 15, 2016July 17, 2016Ed MacConnell

As our third year of the ACA Open Enrollment Period arrived, it’s time to examine some of the new implementations in 2016. Some of the major components, especially those affecting businesses were delayed or deferred since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. This year is considered to be a big year due to the “full implementation” of the employer mandate as well as a number of changes, repeals, and moratoriums on other sections of ACA. Some of the key changes are listed below: CHANGES AND IMPLEMENTATIONS Full implementation of the Employer Mandate Currently it is not mandated that employers provide health care to their employees. Moving forward, however, if… Read More

FAQ Suggests Employers Include Marketplace Options with COBRA Notices

July 15, 2016Ed MacConnell

On June 21, 2016, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (collectively, the “Departments”) issued the 32nd Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) FAQ describing information that may be appropriate to include with COBRA notices. Many wondered if it were appropriate to provide information and if so, what kind of information could be provided about the Health Insurance Marketplaces/Exchanges (“Marketplaces”) so that COBRA-eligible individuals could consider health coverage alternatives available through the Marketplaces and possibly investigate whether they may be eligible for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Click the link to download the entire bulletin

Think HR Comply: Small Business Support from Total Benefit Solutions

July 11, 2016July 11, 2016Ed MacConnell

We are pleased to introduce to you a our sponsored client service—ThinkHR. If you are involved with employee issues, this will be a value-added benefit that will save you time and money. ThinkHR offers ThinkHR Live, a team of HR experts standing by to answer your questions or provide advice. This phone-based support service is available from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central each business day. You also have access to ThinkHR Comply, an award-winning online resource center for all of your workforce issues. Download this brochure, it describes the scope of HR topics that are handled by the ThinkHR Live team. The service is provided to all Total Benefit… Read More

Critically Important: Insurance for Serious Illness

July 11, 2016July 8, 2016Ed MacConnell

Good news: You’ve got health insurance (at least, all Americans are required to or pay a penalty). Bad news: It doesn’t cover everything. Especially if something really bad happens, like a heart attack or stroke. Yes, a decent major medical plan will cover many of the health-related expenses related to a serious illness. But you’d likely still be left with significant out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and copayments. Medical insurance also doesn’t usually cover other related costs, such as travel to treatment centers, child care during absences or recovery, home modifications or rehabilitation charges. And if you lose income while you’re unable to work, you could have a tough time paying… Read More

Limited Benefit Medical Plans

July 10, 2016July 8, 2016Ed MacConnell

Why Consider a Limited Benefit Medical Plan? When it comes to medical benefits, employers used to face two choices — comprehensive employer-paid medical plans or no insurance at all. However, with the inception of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the option not to offer medical insurance no longer exists for some employers. Limited benefit medical plans can be powerful tools for recruiting and retaining employees in situations where traditional medical benefits are not offered or affordable. These plans can also be useful in increasing productivity through reduced absenteeism due to illness, improving employee morale and as a means to provide the level of coverage required by law.… Read More

Reminder: PCORI Fees Due August 1

July 9, 2016July 8, 2016Ed MacConnell

The annual Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORI) fee is due to the IRS August 1, 2016. The fee, charged to certain health insurance policies, is used to support the activities of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, a nonprofit, non-governmental organization (NGO) established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Fully- and self-insured group health plans ( Including HRA’s) are subject to PCORI fees. A health insurer will pay the fee on behalf of the employer if the plan is fully insured. Click here to read the bulletin from Primepay As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions dedicated account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any further questions or concerns.

Now Available from Total Benefit Solutions: Low Cost ERISA Wrap SPD Documents

July 8, 2016July 8, 2016Ed MacConnell

Wrap Summary Plan Description (SPD) If you offer group health insurance you’re now required by ERISA law, enforced by the Department of Labor and now the Affordable Care Act, to distribute a Wrap SPD within 120 days of the Plan’s effective date. The ERISA and ACA required Group Health Insurance Wrap SPD document is now available for a $99 one-time fee. You only update your Wrap SPD document as your benefit options change. The low cost Wrap SPD document is limited to fully insured group health insurance plans only. Here are the Wrap SPD document requirements by ERISA and the Affordable Care Act as succinctly as possible: If… Read More

Mental Health Parity Triggers

June 29, 2016June 21, 2016Ed MacConnell

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (“MHPAEA”) requires a group health plan that offers mental health and substance use disorder benefits to be at parity with medical and surgical benefits. As such, financial requirements and treatment limitations for mental health and/or substance use disorder benefits cannot be more restrictive than the medical and/or surgical benefits offered. Click the link below to read the entire bulletin. Click to read Mental Health Parity Non-Compliance Triggers

IBC: Launch of identity theft protection services for group customers and their members

June 22, 2016June 20, 2016Ed MacConnell

Starting in June 2016, Independence Blue Cross is pleased to offer identity theft protection services to our commercial group customers for their employees with Independence coverage. Identity theft protection options Identity theft protection services will be provided by Experian® and include two options: ProtectMyIDTM is for adults. Eligible subscribers and their adult dependents can enroll individually. FamilySecureSM is for children under the age of 18. A parent or legal guardian can activate membership and enroll all children. Employers who choose to offer these new services to their employees simply opt in using the IBXpress employer website. If they choose not to offer these services, they do not need to take… Read More

Now Available: Health Advocate Member Advocacy

June 21, 2016June 21, 2016Ed MacConnell

Total Benefit Solutions clients can now take advantage of enrolling on Health Advocate as a group or as an individual/ family! It’s part of our Benefit Aid packages and it’s so easy you can enroll today by clicking here or ask your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 for more information. This video will tell you all about the benefits of Health Advocate!

IBC Breaking News: Changes to SEP On-Exchange Verification Process

June 20, 2016Ed MacConnell

Changes to SEP On-Exchange Verification Process Starting June 17th, 2016 individuals enrolling in coverage through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) on the Marketplace will need to provide specific documents to verify eligibility for certain SEPs, including: Loss of minimum essential coverage Change in primary place of living Birth Marriage Adoption, placement for adoption, placement for foster care, or child support or other court order Individuals who apply for these SEPs will be sent an Eligibility Notice for 2016 Coverage by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. To confirm eligibility and avoid a disruption of coverage, individuals must provide the required documents for each SEP by the deadline indicated within… Read More

Checking Your Employee Handbook for Benefit Provisions

June 6, 2016Ed MacConnell

Handbooks are important for many reasons such as informing employees of their rights and duties, communicating available resources, and outlining paid time off policies. With respect to health and welfare benefits, here are a few things to consider: Download Checking Your Employee Handbook for Benefit Provisions

2017 Inflation Adjusted Amounts for HSAs

May 6, 2016May 5, 2016Ed MacConnell

The IRS released the inflation adjustments for health savings accounts (HSAs) and their accompanying high deductible health plans (HDHPs) effective for calendar year 2017. Most limits remained the same as 2016 amounts. Click the link below to download the bulletin. 2017 Inflation Adjusted Amounts for HSAs

Health Care Reform: 8 things the IRS wants small employers to know about the health care tax credit

May 5, 2016May 5, 2016Ed MacConnell

The Affordable Care Act’s small business health care tax credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Click the link below to download the whitepaper 8 things the IRS wants small employers to know about this credit: 8 Things to Know About the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit For more information about the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc account manager at (215)355-2121 or visit your ThinkHR library at www.thinkhr.com and log in. Watch a video below about the Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit

Now Available: Empower Me Benefits Private Exchange

February 13, 2016February 13, 2016Ed MacConnell

Total Benefit Solutions has partnered with Empower Me Benefits to provide our clients with best in industry benefits technology that‘s customizable for even the smallest employer. The EmpowerMe Benefits Exchange allows you to remain complaint with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), easily manage benefits, and control health care costs with a single solution. The EmpowerMeBenefits Exchange is an online benefit marketplace and benefits administration platform designed specifically to meet the needs of small and mid-sized companies. The Exchange provides employers with an enrollment and administration platform that aids employers in ACA compliance. This web-based solution allows you to offer any medical coverage next to pre-selected ancillary, voluntary, and TPA products.… Read More

New Guidance Tackles Employer Mandate Issues

February 6, 2016February 6, 2016Ed MacConnell

A number of Employer Mandate updates are included in this bulletin. Please click on the link to download this important update. As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc account manager if you have any questions or concerns regarding this release at (215)355-2121. Download Update:Employer Mandate Issues 2016

Total Benefit Solutions Introduces the All Check Compliance Tool!

September 16, 2015Ed MacConnell

Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. in partnership with Benefit Mall introduces All Check! Want to know how to easily calculate your FTE’s ( Full Time Equivilents)? Not sure if you need to provide the Notice of Exchange? Unsure about your Health Care Tax Credit Eligibilty? Want to get an idea what your overall ACA compliance obligations might be? Let Total Benefit Solutions and All Check do the work. How? It;s simple. Download the input sheet, complete and return to your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc account manager and we will crunch the numbers and send you a customized report just like the sample! Click Here to Download The Input Sheet Sample_ComplianceReport.2147.21136.20150903 … Read More

Webinar: The Top 5 Reasons to Have (and use) an Employee Handbook

August 20, 2015August 19, 2015Ed MacConnell

Webinar: The Top 5 Reasons to Have (and use) an Employee Handbook Now Available from our partners at Think HR Click here to watch the video of the webinar and download the slides.

New Law Protects New York City Workers

August 5, 2015Ed MacConnell

Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act Takes Effect Sept. 3 The Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act, signed into law by New York City’s mayor on May 6, 2015, amends the city’s Human Rights Law and prohibits discrimination based on consumer credit history. Effective September 3, 2015, this law bans employers, labor organizations and employment agencies from using an employee’s consumer credit history for any employment decision, including hiring, compensation, or the terms, conditions or privileges of employment. New York City is one of several jurisdictions that has enacted credit check bans.

Health Reform: Reduction in Hours First Lawsuit is Filed by Employees

August 3, 2015Ed MacConnell

The first complaint was filed challenging the permissibility of reducing hours below 30 per week in order to avoid the Employer Penalty. The complaint was filed in a New York district federal court on behalf of 10,000 workers at Dave and Buster’s. The plaintiffs allege that their hours were cut so that Dave and Buster’s could avoid health care costs associated with expanding eligibility in order to avoid the Employer Penalty. Click the link below to download this bulletin. Reduction in Hours Subject to Lawsuit in New York – 73115R

Health Care Reform: Taxes and Fees-PCORI Fee, Transitional Reinsurance Fee, Insurer Fee and Excise Tax

July 17, 2015July 17, 2015Ed MacConnell

Health Care Reform: Taxes and Fees-PCORI Fee, Transitional Reinsurance Fee, Insurer Fee and Excise Tax From United Healthcare: Taxes and fees under the health reform law impact both fully insured and self-funded plans. But, they impact funding types differently. Employers with self-funded health plans submit applicable health reform fees directly to the government, and those with fully insured health plans will see fees prorated into their premiums. The fees are prorated over 12 months. Here is what you need to know about these fees and how they will impact your business. Please note that this document, provided by United Healthcare, has carrier specific language, however please contact your Total Benefit… Read More

Upcoming client webinar: Top Five Reasons to Have (and Use) an Employee Handbook

June 21, 2015June 19, 2015Ed MacConnell

Upcoming Webinars: Top Five Reasons to Have (and Use) an Employee Handbook Thursday, July 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Pacific Join Laura Kerekes, ThinkHR’s Chief Knowledge Officer, and John Dickinson, partner at Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, to discover five compelling reasons you should have (and use) an employee handbook. Approved for 1 HRCI credit and 1 SHRM PDC. Click the link to register for the webinar. Please note the time is Pacific time.

OSHA Publishes Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers

June 13, 2015June 10, 2015Ed MacConnell

Federal Law Alerts – June 2015 On June 1, 2015, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published A Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers. The publication includes adescription of best practices and makes employers aware of federal, state, and local laws that reaffirm the core principle of providing employees with access to restroom facilities based on gender identification. Read A Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers

Philadelphia Mandatory Sick Pay Leave Updates & Poster

June 9, 2015June 10, 2015Ed MacConnell

Source: HR360 Effective May 13, 2015, most employers will be required to provide up to 40 hours of paid or unpaid sick time per calendar year to eligible employees (generally individuals who perform work within Philadelphia for at least 40 hours in a year), as follows: Employers with 10 or more employees must provide paid sick time. Note: All persons performing work for compensation on a full-time, part-time, or temporary basis must be counted. Chain establishments (an establishment doing business under the same trade name used by 15 or more establishments—whether such other establishments are located in Philadelphia or elsewhere—and regardless of the type of ownership of each… Read More

FAQs Further Clarify New Embedded Out-of-Pocket Requirement

June 2, 2015Ed MacConnell

As reported earlier, starting with the 2016 plan year, the self-only annual limitation on cost sharing for non-grandfathered plans ($6,850 for 2016) applies to each individual, even if the individual is enrolled in family coverage. On May 26, 2015, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) issued new FAQs further clarifying this new rule, confirming that it applies to all non-grandfathered group health plans, including self-insured plans, large group health plans, and high deductible health plans. Click the link below to download the bulletin for further guidance. FAQs Further Clarify New Embedded Out-of-Pocket Requirement – 060115R

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