The impact of adolescent mental health and substance use on employers
Young people may not seem like a priority for employers but they should. Adolescents face a lot of change in a short amount of time, putting strain on their mental health.
IRS allows tax-free payment of moving expenses paid in 2018 but incurred in 2017
Last year’s tax reform law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, eliminated the rules allowing job-related moving expenses to be tax-free. The IRS has now indicated an employer can directly pay or reimburse an employee’s qualified moving expenses in 2018 if the expenses were incurred prior to Jan. 1, 2018.
Eight Ways to Say HRIS
As mentioned in the previous post, there are many ways to define HRIS. So here we go, here are the eight types of systems we look at as a team and we’ll be talking about in this blog. Payroll (the easy one): can someone get paid? - This can include Tax Filing...
When is an HRIS not an HRIS?
When I started this HR Technology consulting practice within Lockton in early 2008, I knew we’d start out focusing on Benefits Administration. After all, around the nation employers were looking to their brokers to help them handle their skyrocketing healthcare costs...
Task Force Recommends New Screening Be Added To Preventive Services
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, whose recommendations determine which preventive services must be provided to health plan participants at no cost, has recommended that lung cancer screening for certain individuals be added to the list. The screening is a...
Talking to Your Employees About Health Reform Yet?
What's the best time to broach the topic of health reform with your employees? In this article from the Society of Human Resource Management, Lockton's Rick Kahle shares his expertise about having a solid plan in place, while Lockton client Yarco shares their...
There is a Mission in Kansas City
If you were to visit Lockton’s corporate offices in Kansas City, Missouri, you’d find a section on the 6th floor that barricades our team away from the normal non-geekified corporate citizens of Lockton. While several members of our team are scattered around the...
Hello, My Name Is…[State Your Name]
When meeting people for the first time, I typically say I'm an HR Technologist. Of course, that is usually followed by some very odd looks as people mentally chew through what that might mean and if I’m pulling their legs. (After all, HR and consulting jobs always...
Massachusetts’ Repeal of Fair Share Contribution Proceeds Despite Delay of Employer Mandate
On July 1, 2013 the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill repealing the Massachusetts Healthcare Reform Act's employer Fair Share Contribution requirement. Under the requirement, an employer that did not make a "fair and reasonable" premium contribution toward the...
Valuable Update from ABC
Our friends at the American Benefits Council often share valuable information, well worth the read. Below you’ll find some of their latest headlines. House Votes on PPACA Employer, Individual Mandates; House Subcommittee Grills Treasury Official Council Urges Issuance...
Health Reform’s PCORI Fees Qualify as Deductible Business Expenses
In December 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations on a new fee imposed on health insurers and sponsors of self-funded plans to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) in support of clinical effectiveness research. The...
Three More States Allow Same-Sex Marriage
In the first two weeks of May, three more states -- Rhode Island, Delaware and Minnesota -- have passed bills allowing same-sex marriage. Rhode Island's governor, Lincoln Chafee, signed a same-sex marriage bill on May 2, 2013. Delaware's bill was signed on May 7,...
Labor Department Clarifies Requirements for External Appeals
Health reform requires that group health plans and health insurers comply with an external review procedure for appeals of benefit claims. In July 2010, the Department of Labor (DOL), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Health and Human Services (HHS) issued...
Labor Department Finalizes New MEWA Reporting Regulations
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently finalized regulations on an enhanced reporting obligation imposed by the federal health reform law primarily on multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs). A MEWA is an employee welfare benefit plan providing benefits to...