Live report from SHRM: Looming Obamacare crisis could cost you top performers

by Jared Bilski

Many employers are so focused on the costs and resources associated with Obamacare compliance that they’re woefully unprepared for a crisis that could develop right under their noses – one that may prove very costly in the long run.

That was one of warnings issued by Karl Ahlrichs at the 2013 SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition in Chicago.

HR Benefits Alert attended Ahlrichs’ presentation at the conference entitled, Using the PPACA as a Catalyst to Move Organizational Culture.

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Benefits recordkeeping: What you must keep – and for how long

by Christian Schappel

The trouble with recordkeeping at a lot of companies: You don’t know how complete your records are until you get involved in litigation or an audit. But by then, it’s often too late to fill in any critical gaps.

That’s why it’s essential to know — before you’re charged with any wrongdoing — what documents you need to hold onto and what you can trash without putting your company at risk.

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What 94% of employers said about sponsoring health coverage under ACA

by Patrick Schober

With Fall implementation coming fast, one survey tried to assess what Obamacare’s impact on employer-sponsored health care will be.

The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) has been surveying HR reps, general and financial managers, and other company officials on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) since 2010. IFEBP released its fourth survey in March, having received 966 responses.

Perhaps the most interesting stat to come out of it: 94% of employers said they “definitely” or “very likely” will continue providing coverage after the ACA kicks in.

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Tip Tuesday! Which Protein is Better, Whey or Soy?

Dr. Josh Axe 
Whey Protein vs. Soy Protein: Which is the Best Choice?
With thousands of protein powders on the market it’s hard to know which one to choose. Let me start by saying protein supplements are for “supplementing” a diet that is already high in quality sources of protein.  that come from real foods like free-range eggs, poultry, wild caught fish, raw dairy, and grass-fed beef. Check out my superfood plate below for a breakdown of how much protein/fat/carbs I recommend and sources for each.

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Are You Vitamin D Deficient?

BY DR. AXE

Recently the importance of the often forgotten vitamin D have come into the spotlight. Study after study reveals that low levels of vitamin D enable disease progression in the body while adequate levels of this sunshine vitamin not only decrease your risk of disease but also helps to fight off diseases already in place.

(There are five known types of vitamin D. D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. For our purposes here we are speaking of vitamins D2 and D3.)

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Breaking down the barrage of new Obamacare guidance & forms

By Jared Bilski

With the main part of the Affordable Care Act set to take effect in a little over half a year, the feds have been very busy releasing new guidance. Here are the highlights of their latest efforts.

Exchange notices, SBC changes

The most recent guidance came from the DOL and offered some highly anticipated info on the notices that businesses are required to distribute to employees on the availability of health insurance exchanges.

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New bill would add big changes to HSAs, FSAs

By Jared Bilski

The popularity of tax-advantaged accounts like FSAs and HSAs has surged in recent years. But many feel the rules governing these accounts could use a makeover, and now there’s a new bill being considered that would do just that.

The Family and Retirement Health Investment Act of 2013 was introduced by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), and the bill aims to strengthen HSAs and FSAs and expand the accounts to cover more individuals.

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Tip Tuesday! Kindness: How it pays sweet returns

By Arleen Fitzgerald, L.I.C.S.W.

You walked your friend's dog while she recuperated from surgery. And, it left you feeling warm and fuzzy. But, it wasn't just because of the exercise and wagging tail.

You made another person happy — and that felt great. But, did you know that practicing kindness can also be a plus for your health and well-being? 

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8 questions you must help employees answer in health exchange applications

What you know: The health exchanges open up to the public for the first time this October. What you may not know: If you offer health coverage and one of your employees applies for enrollment in a public exchange, you’ll have some extra paperwork.

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A great tool for Dad — UnitedHealthcare Health4Me™

No, it's not a hammer or a fancy new drill — but it can be just as handy. Recently awarded the 2013 Appy Award in the "Health and Fitness" category at the South by Southwest Conference, the Health4Me mobile app provides instant access to your family's health information — anytime, anywhere. With Health4Me, you can be prepared for the unexpected. 

Someone sprain an ankle at a baseball game? The location search uses GPS technology to find the nearest urgent care or emergency room. 

Get too much sun out on the boat? Call myNurseLine^SM right from the app to get information from a registered nurse 24/7. 

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Parents: 8 ways to be a better role model

By Ronald D. Snyder, M.D., and Arleen Fitzgerald, L.I.C.S.W.

Kids see, kids do. Our children look to us to know how to navigate the world. That's how babies learn to smile — by grinning back at beaming parents. It's why toddlers want to push the grocery cart or help wash the car.

It's also why, as a mom or dad, you want to set the best example you can for your children. Even as teens, kids don't outgrow their parents' influence — even if it seems they're not watching. 

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Tip Tuesday! Anger and your heart: 3 calming tips

By Michael W. Rosen, M.D., and Arleen Fitzgerald, L.I.C.S.W.

Anger — it's a natural, normal emotion. But, uncontrolled anger may raise your blood pressure — and increase your risk of heart disease. And, that's not even mentioning the damage it can do to your work and personal relationships.

Fortunately, you can learn to better manage your feelings of frustration and rage. And, that can help protect your heart and your well-being.

A middle path
Think back to the last time you were angry — whether it was mild irritation or full-blown fury. How did you respond? Did you lash out? Or, did you bottle it up and pretend everything was OK?

Both are common reactions to anger — and neither is good for you.
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Agencies Finalize Wellness Rules

On May 23, 2013, the DOL, Treasury and HHS finalized the HIPAA Nondiscriminatory Wellness Programs Regulations that were proposed in November 2012, clarifying what will work and what will not work for 2014 and beyond.

The accompanying news release stated that the “final rules ensure flexibility for employers by increasing the maximum reward that may be offered under appropriately designed wellness programs.”

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5 ways to improve the success of your voluntary benefits plan

By Guest Author
For employers to get the most from their voluntary benefits plans – and improve employee satisfaction with their overall benefits packages – HR managers need to provide clear, comprehensive communication highlighting the advantages of those plans, says Brittany Schmigel of Hyatt Legal Plans, a legal voluntary benefits provider. She has five ways employers can improve their benefits communication.

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Insurer: Top 10 causes of disability leave

By Patrick Schober


Major insurance company Unum recently compiled a list of the top causes of long- and short-term disability. And we’ve added a few steps employers can take to prevent them from occurring in the first place.  

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Tip Tuesday! 3 Compounds that Burn Belly Fat

by Dr. Axe

New research is revealing that the secret to weight loss may be more complex than “eat less, move more”. The key may be an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) that is found in Blueberries, Grapefruit, Green Tea and Cayenne Peppers.  AMPK’s helps your body utilize sugar which results in boosting your metabolism resulting in weight loss.

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