Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

COBRA

COBRA Continuation Coverage: Who Pays?

Most employers are aware that the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires group health plans sponsored by covered employers to allow qualified beneficiaries to have “COBRA continuation coverage” in the event that they lose group health plan coverage for specified reasons.

health

Trump Administration Seeks to Expand Short-Term Health Insurance

The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury (the Departments) issued a proposed rule on February 20 seeking to expand the availability of short-term, limited-duration health insurance by allowing consumers to buy plans providing coverage for any period of less than 12 months, rather than the current maximum period of less […]

wellness

Employers Overestimate Impact of Wellness Programs and Incentives on Employees’ Health Behavior

Despite U.S. employers and employees placing a high priority on health and well-being, employees say that employer efforts are falling short of employees’ expectations, according to research from leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company Willis Towers Watson. A majority of employers (56%) believe their well-being programs have encouraged employees to live a healthier lifestyle. […]

Easy Tips for Employers to Handle Recent ACA Penalties

Many large employers have been up in arms about receiving Obamacare penalty notices over the past few months indicating they failed to offer qualifying health coverage in 2015. The penalties are amounting to thousands, if not millions, of dollars that may be due to reporting errors.

HIPAA

Connecticut High Court Reinforces HIPAA as Standard of Care

The Connecticut Supreme Court reinforced an earlier ruling on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy as a standard of care in a second opinion in Byrne v. Avery Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology PC, SC 19873 (Conn., Jan. 16, 2018).

shutdown

Pay Implications of Government Shutdowns

With government shutdowns periodically looming, hundreds of thousands of federal employees face losing work time and pay. When Congress fails to appropriate funds during the budget process, nonessential federal programs and agencies close and many workers are furloughed. In such a situation, there are a number of different pay scenarios and categories of employees.

Prepare Now for Association Health Plan (AHP) Rule Changes

Small business owners and HR teams know that a competitive benefits program can be a difference maker when recruiting top new hires or attempting to retain homegrown talent. But limited resources often leave small businesses frustrated and fighting for attention from advisors or cobbling together their own plans. Fortunately, a proposed rule modification for Association […]