Tag: Health Insurance

Nevada Supreme Court clarifies connection between healthcare coverage, minimum wage

by Deanna L. Forbush Nevada is unique in so many ways. For instance, unlike other states, Nevada has a constitutional provision that authorizes a two-tiered minimum wage. It’s called the Minimum Wage Amendment (MWA). Under the MWA, if an employer provides qualifying health benefits, a minimum-wage employee may be paid $1 per hour less than […]

IRS issues guidance on opt-out payments for affordable ACA plans

by Ajay Gogna The IRS recently issued guidance on the application of various provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to employer-provided health insurance coverage, including guidance on how employer offers of “opt-out” payments to employees are treated for purposes of determining whether healthcare coverage is affordable. Analysis of the guidance The ACA requires applicable […]

Part of once-delayed ACA employer mandate takes effect January 1

by Douglas R. Chamberlain Employers got a reprieve in 2014 on a key mandate incorporated in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but the new effective date for many employers is now set for January 1, 2015. The ACA generally provides that all employers with 50 or more employees who work 30 or more hours per […]

When Harry left Sally: employers’ obligation to offer insurance postdivorce

by Kathryn M. Grigg Although employers may want to avoid the uncomfortable topic with employees, you can’t avoid your legal obligations to an employee’s former spouse postdivorce. For a period of time after a divorce, you’re required to offer health insurance continuation and conversion benefits to an employee’s former spouse and dependents. Here’s a summary […]

New COBRA model notices available

by Jessica Webb-Ayer The Obama administration recently announced that new COBRA model notices are available. The notices alert employees about their ability to continue their healthcare coverage through COBRA following certain events that otherwise would result in termination of coverage. The administration updated the notices to make it clear that if employees are eligible for […]

Yes, We Surveyed It—Highlights from BLR’s 2013 Survey Series

You name it in HR and compensation and we surveyed it in 2013. Here is your roundup of the most interesting survey data on benefits, pay budgets, policies, HR departments, and more. Special thanks to all readers who participated in our surveys in 2013! (2014 surveys start soon.) Benefits: Health Insurance Preferred provider organization (PPO) […]

Yes, We Surveyed It—Highlights from BLR’s 2013 Survey Series

Special thanks to all readers who participated in our surveys in 2013! (2014 surveys start soon.) Benefits: Health Insurance Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans are offered by 68% of survey participants, and health maintenance organization (HMO) plans are offered by 31%. High-deductible plans are a benefit for 35%, and point-of-service (POS) plans are available for […]

Mental health parity regulations take effect January 13

The final regulations implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 will become effective January 13. The Act requires group health plans that offer mental health or substance use disorder benefits to ensure that those benefits are equivalent to the medical and surgical benefits offered by the […]

Holidays—What’s Happening? (And Are You Competitive?)

Please participate in our brief survey and see how what you are doing stacks up against what other successful companies are doing. We’ll get answers to these questions and more: Which days will be paid holidays in 2013? In 2014? How will you handle Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays this year? Do you pay […]