The U.S. Department of Labor has issued compliance guidance for benefit plans, employers and employees, and service providers who are impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The guidance generally provides relief from various ERISA requirements and time limits for entities in the disaster area. This follows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announcement extending certain filing dates, including … Continued
Mark your calendars for October 1, 2017, when the 2018 standard per diem rates for the lower 48 Continental United States (CONUS, because everyone loves an acronym) go into effect. These rates, set by the General Services Administration (GSA, see acronym comment above), represent the maximum amount that federal employees can receive in travel reimbursements … Continued
Few people are prepared to handle the financial burden of long-term health care. In fact, many people have a false sense of security when it comes to long-term care. Let’s separate fact from fiction: “Medicare and my Medicare supplement policy will cover it.” FACTS: Medicare and “Medigap” insurance was never intended to pay for ongoing, … Continued
The following is a blog published by Louise Davies, an Affirmative Action Paralegal in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, office of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP. It’s that time of the year! No, back-to-school is still a few weeks away. It’s time for employers to start filing their EEO-1 and VETS-4212 reports. The filing period for the EEO-1 … Continued
Question: Is minimum wage calculated on hours worked or hours worked plus performance-based earnings, thus subject to change each pay period? For instance, a nonexempt employee is paid $320 for 40 hours worked with $60 added for performance goals, totaling $380. Which amount is used to determine the employee’s minimum wage; $320 or $380? The … Continued
On August 1, 2017, Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) injury tracking application (ITA) portal will be available to employers. The portal allows employers to electronically report information about workplace injuries and illnesses. Establishments with 250 or more employees that are currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, as well as employers with … Continued
In the early morning hours of July 28, 2017, the Senate’s leadership failed in its latest attempt to pass a bill—any bill—to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Capping off weeks of divergent proposals, and various procedural moves to avoid the normal committee process, the last measure was defeated 49 – 51. What happens now? … Continued
Being catapulted into the adult world is a shock to the system, regardless of how prepared you think you are. And these days, it’s more complicated than ever, with internet access and mobile devices being must-have utilities and navigating tax forms when they aren’t as “EZ” as they used to be. Maybe you’re still living … Continued
Congress approved the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to guard the privacy of personal medical information, and to give individuals the right to keep their health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions in place even if they change jobs. The law has done this, providing important safeguards for patients. But it has also increased … Continued
Incorporating telehealth into your benefits package can reduce your medical costs while providing your employees access to a quality health care option. If you are considering telehealth, you need to find a completely integrated solution. To learn more, click here.