Feds confirm vaccine wellness programs are ok, and that employers may ask about vaccination status
Federal authorities, in two new announcements, have validated employers’ use of healthcare plan-related wellness programs to incent employees to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine and confirmed that the HIPAA privacy rules do not prevent employers from asking employees or...
Feds to require reporting of air ambulance claim data, tip their hand on impending broker compensation rules
The federal Departments of Health & Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury issued a second round of proposed rules late last week which, when finalized, will solicit utilization and cost data from health insurance carriers, group health plans and air ambulance...
AI for HR tech: What’s coming for HCM and benefits administration
Beyond artificial intelligence for recruitment, learn how AI in HR Technology is expanding to human capital management (HCM) and benefits administration and if it is right for your company.
2019 FSA limits raised – but open enrollment is over: Now what?
The health flexible spending limit (FSA) increased from $2,650 to $2,700 for 2019, but open enrollment is over for most employers. What should employers do?
AI for HR tech: How automation fits into recruitment
The HR tech landscape is changing faster than ever. The most rapid area of change and innovation is happening in recruiting. The high volume and repetitive nature of this function makes it ripe for AI and “intelligent automation.”
It’s back from the grave: New HIRD form to haunt Massachusetts employers
The once-dead health insurance responsibility disclosure (HIRD) form for Massachusetts employers has been resurrected in time for the flurry of end-of-year reporting requirements.
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.
Michigan passes Earned Sick Time Act: Commentators expect changes
Michigan became the most recent state to pass a paid sick leave law. Commentators expect the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act to be amended before its implementation date; therefore, employers should be aware that the Act is on the books, but its application is open to change.
House to consider changes to ACA employer provisions
The House is scheduled to consider The Save American Workers Act, which would make significant changes to employer requirements under the Affordable Care Act.
Opportunity lost, or ill-conceived initiative? Association health plans and the states’ trump card
The new association health plan rules grant permission for something many associations, franchisors, chambers of commerce and other clients would love to do. But the DOL’s rules reserve the last word for someone else. In this case, the foil is played by the states.
Texas plays whack-a-mole with municipal paid leave laws
Texas has entered the paid leave fray, but employers haven’t surrendered to the trend.
Interaction of COBRA and Medicare: Just how do these rules work again?
The number of questions regarding Medicare and the interaction with various employer plans is spiking. This post explores its interaction with COBRA.
Trade group sues to block Seattle’s employer mandate on hotel owners
An employee benefits advocacy group representing many of the nation’s largest employers has filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Seattle, seeking to bar the city from enforcing a new employer health insurance mandate for certain hotel workers. The implications of the suit could ripple far outside the Pacific northwest and the hotel industry.