Online Portal for Employment Discrimination Claims

On January 12, 2018

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has launched a new online tool intended to make it easier for employees to initiate employment discrimination claims against their employers. The EEOC Public Portal allows individuals to obtain EEOC services, file charges against employers and monitor their claims through the internet. For Employers Employers subject to federal anti-discrimination […]

Health Insurance Regulatory Outlook for 2018

On January 12, 2018

Last year there was a lot of uncertainty concerning health insurance coverage since the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) seemed imminent, and no one knew for sure how federal action on health reform would impact markets, consumers, and costs. While predicting the political future is still impossible, it seems much […]

IRS Extends Delivery Date Deadline for Forms 1095 B and C And Announces Good Faith Compliance Relief

On December 28, 2017

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has, through the publication of Notice 2018-06, extended the deadline for applicable large employers (ALEs) and health insurance issuers (including self-funded-health plans) to furnish Forms 1095 B & C to employees and covered individuals. The new deadline is March 2, 2018, instead of January 31, 2018. Good-faith compliance transition relief regarding […]

President Trumps Signs Tax Cuts and Job Act: Impact on Health Care and Benefits

On December 26, 2017

On Friday, December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1). In addition to the financial implications for individual and corporate taxpayers, this legislation will impact health insurance coverage requirements, employee benefit options, and health care costs. Individual Mandate The new law will zero-out the individual mandate penalty, so that […]

Compliance Webinar: 2017 Year in Review

On December 18, 2017

2017 was another eventful year for Employee Benefits and Compliance! As lawmakers wrangle over the future of the Affordable Care Act, employers are left wondering what is required of them. This webinar is an opportunity to get ready for 2018 and ensure you are in compliance with the laws and changes for the upcoming year. […]

Industry Trends: 2017 Benefits Trends in Review

On December 15, 2017

Where did 2017 go? As we pause to embrace the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ and appreciate our health, family, and friends, it is a nice time to also reflect on all that has transpired this past year. A number of benefit topics shared the spotlight in 2017, but the overarching themes revolved around […]

5 Workplace Well-Being Trends to Watch in 2018

On December 15, 2017

Workplace well-being programs, it seems, have never been more popular. From technology advances (especially those in the wearable tech space) to increased corporate interest to more media coverage, workplace well-being programs are on everyone’s minds these days. It’s also trend season—which means you’ll start seeing more posts and articles predicting what to expect in the well-being […]

#MeToo – Is Your Company Protected Against a Sexual Harassment Claim?

On December 15, 2017

So many claims of sexual harassment and misconduct have been in the news lately…Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, Kevin Spacey, etc. You may have also seen #MeToo on social media posts with friends, colleagues, family members, and acquaintances posting that they have been victims of sexual harassment or misconduct at some point. So, what can companies […]

Compliance Webinar: IRS Forms 1094-B and 1095-B

On December 15, 2017

Kistler Tiffany Benefits’ Director of Compliance Services, Scott Wham, J.D., recorded an overview of the IRS Forms 1094-B and 1095-B. IRS Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are used by small employers who sponsored a self-insured health plan (including level-funded health plans) in 2017. (NOTE: For the sake of this reporting requirement, a small employer is an […]

Employer Mandate Enforcement Has Begun – What To Do If Your Company Is Affected

On December 15, 2017

The Internal Revenue Service has begun enforcing the employer mandate for the 2015 tax year by sending Letter 226J to tens of thousands of applicable large employers. Here are 10 things employers need to keep in mind if your company has received a Letter 226J already, or you think that one might be on its […]

Employers’ Checklist: What You Need to Do Now (New York Paid Family Leave)

On November 17, 2017

Starting January 1, 2018, nearly all private employees in New York State will be eligible for Paid Family Leave. Employers’ Checklist: What You Need to Do Now Ensure you have Paid Family Leave Coverage. Most private employers with one or more employees are required to obtain Paid Family Leave insurance. Contact your broker or insurer […]

Legal Considerations for Your Holiday Parties

On November 16, 2017

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching and other year-end holidays not far behind, many employers may be thinking about their upcoming Company Holiday Party. While holiday festivities can be fun and improve employee morale, they can also bring legal risks. Here are some things you should consider when planning your company event: Alcohol – To serve or […]

Medicare and Employer-Sponsored Plans

On November 16, 2017

Employers concerned about rising healthcare costs often wonder what they can and should do about covering Medicare-eligible employees and their dependents. The relationship between Medicare and employer-sponsored health benefit plans is very complicated, and related compliance mistakes can be very costly for both businesses and employees. To help eliminate confusion, here is an overview of […]

2018 Limits for QSEHRAs, HSAs, and FSAs

On November 16, 2017

Just in time for open enrollment season, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the new 2018 contribution limits for health care flexible spending accounts (FSAs). They have also published the parameters for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (QSEHRAs), which small employers with fewer than 50 full-time employees can use to reimburse employees for […]

IRS Poised to Begin Employer Mandate Enforcement

On November 16, 2017

By the end of 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin enforcing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) mandate that applicable large employers (ALEs) offer health insurance coverage to employees and dependents or pay a fine. The Trump Administration recently released new guidance (frequently asked questions #55-58) that makes it clear that […]

Industry Trends: Reference-Based Plan Models

On November 16, 2017

As the health insurance industry searches for the magical solution to lower costs and higher quality care for Americans, it is important to understand recent history and how the popularity of PPO’s emerged and they contribute to continued escalating costs. At the height of the HMO movement in the 90’s, PPO’s emerged in an effort […]

EEOC Wellness Rule Update

On October 13, 2017

As we reported in last month’s newsletter, recently a federal judge ordered the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to redo its recent rules that impact many group wellness programs because the incentive limits in the regulation are arbitrary. However, the judge also ruled that all wellness programs affected by the EEOC rules should continue to […]

IRS Releases Final Employer Reporting Documents

On October 13, 2017

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released final 2017 versions of the Form 1094 and 1095 series. These are the forms you will use in early 2018 to report coverage details to employees and the IRS for the 2017 tax year. One of the most important things applicable large employers need to know about the upcoming […]

Trump Administration Releases Interim Final Rules on Contraceptive Coverage and Group Health Insurance Plans

On October 13, 2017

On Friday, October 6, 2017, the Trump Administration released two interim final rules that will allow any employer to opt-out of the federal mandate for all non-grandfathered health plans to provide coverage for contraceptives without applying cost-sharing requirements. One rule establishes how an employer plan can obtain an exemption for religious beliefs, and the other […]

Federal Actions That Will Impact 2018 Health Plan Rates

On October 13, 2017

The most recent Congressional health reform effort failed in late September, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be changes to 2018 benefit plans based on governmental action. A host of federal policies impacting prices and the calculation of health plan rates will go into effect for the upcoming plan year. They include a return […]

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