If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again… Since its introduction in August 2011, the contraceptive coverage mandate – which requires employer-sponsored health plans to include coverage for birth control medications and devices – has been one of the more controversial provisions of the Obama Administration’s healthcare reform measures. Jean Hemphill of law firm… Read more »
From law firm Warner Norcross & Judd, a look at what are currently the most pressing Healthcare Reform issues for employers and HR managers: Women’s preventive health care Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) Reporting insurance coverage costs on W-2s Limits on Flexible Spending Account contributions Retiree prescription drug plans Medical loss ratio rebates Medicare… Read more »
As we look back at the most-read stories of the year, three issues quickly rise to the top: Technology in the workplace, especially employee use of social media (both on and off the clock), Health care reform and how to comply with the new rules, and Day-to-day employment matters, from hiring to firing and just… Read more »
“Many employers have failed to invest much time or energy into analyzing how healthcare reform would impact their businesses, first anticipating that the Court would invalidate much or all of ACA, and then hoping for a Mitt Romney victory in November. Now that the uncertainty has been lifted, it’s time to get to work and… Read more »
“For employers and plan sponsors that have been adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach before focusing on compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the time to wait is over. PPACA’s insurance mandates, market reforms, and employer requirements generally will move ahead as scheduled, with most of PPACA becoming fully effective just… Read more »
It might not be the healthy incentive you had in mind, exactly, but thanks to a recent federal court of appeals ruling, you might be able to start charging workers a fee when they don’t participate in your company’s wellness program. The lawsuit involved a Broward County (Florida) employee who objected to paying $40 per… Read more »
One important provision of the healthcare reform law is the “medical loss ratio” (MLR) rebate, which requires insurers to spend a minimum amount of premiums on medical claims, or refund the difference to policyholders. From law firm Schnader: “Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health insurance issuers in the group or individual market… Read more »
Thanks to workplace wellness programs, employees across the country are losing weight, quitting smoking, and improving their overall physical health. But employees aren’t the only ones who benefit from a focus on health in the workplace. Law firm Snell & Wilmer: “The economic case for these programs is strong and supported by some pretty staggering… Read more »
The impact of Obamacare on smaller businesses, cloud computing legal issues, wage and hour lawsuits, and social media law are but a few of the subjects you’re reading about. For your reference, the most-read Small Business Support posts during the month of June, 2012: 1. Bring Your Own (Tech) Device to Work? That Could Be… Read more »
“Although the Act was deemed largely constitutional, issues concerning the implementation and administration of the Act’s various coverage mandates may be litigated in years to come. For example, dozens of Catholic dioceses and schools filed lawsuits in a number of states charging the Act’s contraception coverage requirement violates their rights under the First Amendment to… Read more »
[Update: for a good understanding of what the decision means sector by sector, start with this analysis by Skadden: Supreme Court Narrowly Upholds Health Reform Law but Limits Congress’ Authority Over States... includes a look at the implications for employers, insurers, hospitals and institutional providers, and drug and device manufacturers.] See below for growing reading… Read more »
Employers who sponsor group health plans, take note. If your business is subject to COBRA coverage (essentially all companies with more than 20 employees are), you could be the target of an Internal Revenue Service audit into your COBRA compliance. Fortunately, earlier this year the IRS published revised guidelines for such audits, providing employers with… Read more »
State lawmakers appear to be warming up to the idea that workers who use medical marijuana need protections against discrimination in the workplace. Currently, sixteen states and the District of Columbia permit the ingestion of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Another twelve are considering similar legislation. Few states have regulations that protect the rights of workers… Read more »
Beginning September 23, 2012, health insurers and plan administrators will be required to distribute a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) to all participants. As its title suggests, the SBC is designed to describe benefits and coverage of a particular plan in clear language and a uniform format, and to help consumers better understand and… Read more »
On February 14, 2012, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services published final regulations on the new Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) that insurers and group health plan administrators will be required to distribute later this year. Designed to provide clear and consistent information across health plans, the SBC will enable… Read more »
