IRS 2015 HSA limits: What changes, what stays the same?

By Jared Bilski

We’re not even halfway through 2014, but the feds are already gearing up for next year. The IRS just released the 2015 HSA contribution limits, HDHP required deductibles and HDHP out-of-pocket maximums.

The agency bases the HSA limits for the following year on cost-of-living adjustments. Here’s what the feds have changed for 2015:

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An object lesson in the value of benefit plan disclaimers

By Jared Bilski

Whether your company administers a defined-benefit (DB) or defined-contribution (DC) retirement plan, a recent court case offered an important lesson on why including a disclaimer in all of your benefits statements is a smart move.

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6 Metabolism Death Foods

By Dr. Josh Axe

There is nothing worse than starting an exercise program, making some good diet changes, but still not seeing the results you want to see.  Has that ever been you?  It can be really frustrating.

The reason this happens is, even though you think you’re consuming a healthy diet, there is often some hidden food in your diet that is ruining your weight loss efforts.

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Tip Tuesday! Health Reform Questions - Enrolling in the Health Insurance Marketplace

By Larry Grudzien Attorney-At-Law

Question:  My employer is having its open annual enrollment in a few weeks for its health coverage effective on July 1, 2014. If I do not enroll in my employer's health coverage effective July 1, 2014 and voluntarily drop it, can I then enroll in health coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace because of a loss of coverage? Answer: No. If you voluntarily drop your employer sponsored coverage or lose it because you did not pay the premium, you do not qualify for a special enrollment period for a loss of coverage. This means you will not be able to get covered through the Marketplace until the next open enrollment Period in November 2014, with coverage starting January 1, 2015. To be considered a loss of coverage for a special enrollment period to apply, you must lose health coverage because you quit your job, had a reduction of hours or are laid off.   In other words, you lost eligibility for the employer health coverage. The annual open enrollment period for 2015 is set to begin November 15, 2014 and extend through February 15, 2015. Coverage will be effective January 1, 2015 only for applications received by December 15, 2014.  Read more from Larry here.

Top 8 ways managers drive good employees out the door

By Christian Schappel

Even though unemployment remains high, employers are reporting there’s a talent shortage in this country. What that means is this: Your most talented employees know other jobs are waiting for them. Are your managers doing enough to keep them? 

The old adage — people quit their boss, not their job — is true, according to Eric Jackson, who holds a Ph.D. in management and is the founder of Ironfire Capital LLC, which runs a tech-focused hedge fund.

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How Long Commutes Impact Workplace Productivity

By Geoff Mukhtar

What do all employees have in common? They all have a burning dislike for their morning commute! Let’s face it, it’s not the actual commute that most people dislike, it’s the hassle of dealing with traffic, long lines, and rude people that make the trip so despised.

It doesn’t matter how an employee gets to work -- whether it’s by car, train, plane, boat, or just walking, there’s always one or more aspects of a long commute that a person would like to change. How an employee starts the day is an important indicator of his or her attitude for the rest of that day.

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Health reform tweak Congress hopes will get you to hire more vets

By Christian Schappel

New legislation appears poised to make it through Congress that would incentivize businesses to hire military veterans by altering one of the more controversial rules for employers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

As you know, the ACA requires that employers with more than 50 full-time-equivalent employees provide health insurance to those employees or pay a penalty.

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Tips Tuesday! EEOC offers 4 keys to compliance when FMLA, ADA mix

By Jared Bilski

After the ADA was expanded, courts have consistently ruled that employers must consider offering additional leave as a “reasonable accommodation” for disabled employees after they exhaust their FMLA allotment. Problem is, employers have been given very little guidance as to when and where this accommodation should apply … until now.


FMLA Insights founder Jeff Nowak recently held a presentation with EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum.

The topic: Leave as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.

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3 things you need to know about one-on-one benefits communication

By Jared Bilski

The most effective way to communicate the ins and outs of your company’s benefits is through one-on-one education.

Proof: A new study found nearly half of workers who gave their firms’ benefits communications a grade of an A or B said one-on-one meetings were an effective tactic. In comparison, just 38% of workers said benefits fairs were useful.

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3 things new FMLA enforcement cop says you can expect

By Jared Bilski

In the past year, we’ve seen the DOL ratchet up its on-site FMLA investigations. So what can employers expect moving forward?

More on-site FMLA investigations by the feds where firms will be asked to fork over increasingly detailed info regarding their administration processes.

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Court ruling on telecommuting could be a game-changer for HR

By Jared Bilski

Technology has changed the workplace so much that employers may not be able to simply reject a telecommuting request by saying physical attendance is mandatory.

They may have to show exactly why an employee’s physical attendance is essential to the company.
That’s a major takeaway from a recent court ruling involving the ADA.

In EEOC v. Ford Motor Co., an employee with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) requested a telecommuting accommodation for her disability.

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Tip Tuesday! Help Employees Watch for Hidden Medical Fees

By Mary Drueke-Collins, FSA

 

As more and more Americans face high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and increased up-front out-of-pocket costs, it is more important than ever to closely monitor medical bills for errors. According to the Medical Billing Advocates of America, more than 80% of medical bills contain errors, which can cost patients thousands of dollars. Those errors may be simple mistakes, double billings, or in some cases, abusive charging practices.

One of the biggest problems for unforeseen fees is when an individual utilizes an out-of-network provider.

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Study predicts monthly costs of opting out of Obamacare

By Jared Bilski

When the penalty phase of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) finally kicks in, HR pros know it can be costly if their company decides not to offer employees health insurance. But until recently, there’s been little research on exactly how much it’s likely to cost a company that opts not to play.

So what will it cost your company if you decide not to offer health insurance in 2015?

From $173 to $260 per worker

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Dealing with Obamacare: Beware of potential ERISA pitfalls

By Tim Gould

The healthcare reform law has left employers with a lot of important decisions to make. But further complicating matters is a tricky section in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).  
Section 510 of ERISA prohibits employers from punishing employees for exercising — or attempting to exercise — their rights under a benefit plan. It also prohibits employers from making moves to interfere with employees’ ability to obtain a benefit they’d otherwise become entitled to.
The penalties for violating this section of ERISA can include reinstatement, restitution and back pay.

The link to Obamacare

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The Latest Problem With Obamacare Could Cost You

By Deborah Jacobs

A new problem with Obamacare affects anyone fired after March 31. Laid off workers who opt for temporary coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, known as COBRA, while they evaluate options under the Affordable Care Act, can’t switch to Obamacare until the next open enrollment period in November.

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Tip Tuesday! 7 reasons to update your employee handbook right now

By Jared Bilski

Not updating the employee handbook regularly is a mistake employers can’t afford to make. 
This document is employers’ first line of defense against litigation.

And with frequently changing federal and state laws, increased government enforcement and sue-happy workers, it’s critical for firms to make sure everything is up to date.

The basics

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Is Obamacare affecting your retirement plan? What 88% of employers said

By Christian Schappel

There are only so many hours in the workday for benefits pros. So when the government tacks on a law that takes time to understand and implement, it only makes sense that it would result in less time and effort that could be devoted to other areas of your job, right? 

That appears to be the reason a lot of employers said their companies’ retirement plans have been hurt by the healthcare reform law.

In a recent survey, 43% of employers said their retirement plans had been affected by Obamacare — and not in a good way.

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Court ruling offers key lesson on pay confidentiality policies

By Jared Bilski

Even if your company’s confidentiality policy doesn’t specifically bar employees from discussing their paychecks with one another, it could still land you in court — and wind up being found unlawful.
That’s one of the important takeaways from a recent court ruling on the scope of a company’s confidentiality policy.

Prevented discussion of wages?

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