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8 Facts about Vegan Living
Posted on: April 8, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/7Vegan foods are free of all animal products such as meat, eggs, fish, and dairy. Approximately 5% of the US is vegetarian (close to 16 million people), and about half of those are vegan -- meaning about 7.5 million Americans abstain from all animal products. Vegan living often reduces the intake of saturated fat, animal hormones, and cholesterol while increasing the intake of fresh fruits and veggies. That has the potential to reduce t ...
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Benefits Bulletin
Posted on: April 6, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceIRS Invites Comments on Cadillac Tax Implementation On Feb. 23, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2015-16 to describe potential approaches for a number of issues related to the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) so-called Cadillac tax. The IRS is seeking comments as it begins developing guidance for the implementation of the Cadillac tax. Public comments may be submitted to the IRS until May 15, 2015. Proposed or final regulations have not yet been issued on the ACA’s Cadillac ...
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Lifetime and Annual Limits (Part 2)
Posted on: April 2, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits health plans from imposing lifetime and annual limits on the dollar value of essential health benefits. This mandate became effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010. However, “restricted annual limits” were permitted for essential health benefits for plan years beginning before Jan. 1, 2014. On June 28, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury issued interim final rules regarding the ACA’s prohi ...
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Manage Stress at Work
Posted on: April 1, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/7Unfortunately a high percentage of Americans report feeling extremely stressed at work and while some stress can beneficial, extreme levels have health consequences. These problems may range from small things such as a cold to more serious diseases like heart disease. Because workplace stress is common, it is more realistic to manage it than search for a low-stress job. Here are some stress management techniques to try. Start th ...
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Lifetime and Annual Limits (Part 1)
Posted on: March 31, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits health plans from imposing lifetime and annual limits on the dollar value of essential health benefits. This mandate became effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010. However, “restricted annual limits” were permitted for essential health benefits for plan years beginning before Jan. 1, 2014. On June 28, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury issued interim final rules regarding the ACA’s prohi ...
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ACA: Are you an Applicable Large Employer?
Posted on: March 30, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceApplicable Large Employer Applicable large employers are subject to the employer shared responsibility provisions of the Affordable Care Act and related information reporting requirements. Under the ACA, your organization is an applicable large employer for a year if you had an average of at least 50 full-time employees (including full-time equivalent employees) during the prior year. For this purpose, a full-time employee for any calendar month is an employee who has on average at least 30 hou ...
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YMCA Bunny Hop 5K Run & Walk
Posted on: March 27, 2015Categories: News & EventsWhen: April 4th, 2015 at 8:30 am Where: Downtown YMCA 1420 Sumter Street Columbia, SC 29201 Packet Pickup: Friday April 3rd, 2015 from 11:00 am- 6:00 pm Saturday April 4th, 2015 from 7:30 am til race start Cost: Late Registration until 04/03 $30 Race Day Registration $35 *T-shirt is not guaranteed with late registration This 5k race starts and finishes at th ...
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Potential Legal Issues Associated with Workplace Wellness Plans (Part 2)
Posted on: March 26, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceThis provides an overview of potential legal issues related to employer-sponsored wellness plans. The list of issues presented in this article is not exclusive. Wellness programs must be carefully structured to comply with both state and federal laws. To avoid noncompliance, employers should have their legal counsel review their wellness programs before they are rolled out to employees. To read part 1 visit our blog from Tuesday, March 24, 2015. The Employee Retirement Income Security Ac ...
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5 Quick Tips for Beginner Runners
Posted on: March 25, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/71.Invest in Proper Running Shoes Get professionally fitted for shoes that will allow you to run your best while preventing common injuries 2. Cross-Train Keep your body in balance by taking a break from pounding of running and build strength and endurance. Try hiking or yoga! 3. Go For Distance Instead of Time Be patient and don’t worry about your pace. Work to build mileage gradually over time. Remember; don’t worry about being fast o ...
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Potential Legal Issues Associated with Workplace Wellness Plans (Part 1)
Posted on: March 24, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceThis provides an overview of potential legal issues related to employer-sponsored wellness plans. The list of issues presented in this article is not exclusive. Wellness programs must be carefully structured to comply with both state and federal laws. To avoid noncompliance, employers should have their legal counsel review their wellness programs before they are rolled out to employees. Look for the second part of this list on Thursday’s Blog! The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Nothing ...
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Certifications of Employee Eligibility for Subsidies
Posted on: March 23, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance Exchanges to send a notice to employers regarding employees who purchase coverage through an Exchange and qualify for a health insurance subsidy. These notices are also called “Section 1411 Certifications” because the notice requirement is contained in Section 1411 of the ACA. The Section 1411 Certification is part of the process established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for verifying that only eligible individua ...
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83rd Annual Carolina Cup
Posted on: March 20, 2015Categories: News & EventsSpringdale Race Course sits just outside of Columbia and hosts two of the biggest steeplechase horse races of the year, including Carolina Cup which will take place next Saturday, March 28th, 2015. This race is a South Carolina tradition that has achieved great recognition throughout the southeast. An estimated 65,000 fans are expected to show up this year to enjoy the sport of horse racing, show off their spring fashion, and enga ...
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ACA: Are you an Applicable Large Employer?
Posted on: March 19, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceApplicable Large Employer Applicable large employers are subject to the employer shared responsibility provisions of the Affordable Care Act and related information reporting requirements. Under the ACA, your organization is an applicable large employer for a year if you had an average of at least 50 full-time employees (including full-time equivalent employees) during the prior year. For this purpose, a full-time employee for any calendar month is an employee who has on average at least 30 hou ...
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Allergy Proof Your Home
Posted on: March 18, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/7Many people don’t realize many of their allergies are being caused from irritants within their own home. To find out if you are allergic to something in your house, visit an allergist and get allergy tested. The most common irritants include dust mites, mold, pollen and pet dander. Once you have identified what is causing your allergy symptoms, you can do several things to allergy proof your home and work to eliminate those agen ...
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March HR Brief
Posted on: March 16, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceDid You Know? Recent surveys show that employees are feeling more confident about their ability to make job changes, due to the improving economy. To help retain and attract top talent, now may be a good time for you to determine if your organization is offering a benefits package that is competitive. Conducting an employee benefits survey can help you discover what your employees really value. When conducting a survey, participation is key. Make sure the purpose of the survey is clear, and cre ...
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2015 Midlands Heart Walk
Posted on: March 13, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceThe American Heart Association will be holding their annual Midlands Heart Walk on March 21st, 2015. This celebration promotes physical activity and heart healthy living. This non-competitive 3.3 mile walk is a fun, family environment. More than 500 walkers are anticipated to participate and help raise money to reduce cardiovascular disease and deaths from stroke. When: March 21, 2015 Venue: Colonial Life Arena Where: 801 Lincoln Street, Colum ...
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FAQS on Wellness Programs
Posted on: March 12, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceOn Jan. 9, 2014, the Departments issued the following FAQs to address several issues related to wellness programs that have been raised since the final rules were published. Q: A group health plan charges participants a tobacco premium surcharge but also provides an opportunity to avoid the surcharge if, at the time of enrollment or annual re-enrollment, the participant agrees to participate in (and subsequently completes within the plan year) a tobacco cessation educational program. A particip ...
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Acid Reflux
Posted on: March 11, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/7Many people have experienced heartburn at some point in their lives, but what happens when it becomes a frequent or even daily occurrence? Problems associated with chronic acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can lead to the erosion of tooth enamel—requiring costly dental restoration—and may even increase the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus. Most people can prevent severe tissue damage and mana ...
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Workplace Wellness Program Nondiscrimination Rules
Posted on: March 10, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceWorkplace wellness programs often incorporate incentives or rewards to promote healthy lifestyle choices and discourage behaviors that are detrimental to employees’ good health. A workplace wellness program that relates to a group health plan or is linked to a health factor must comply with nondiscrimination rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). These rules allow employers to provide incentives or rewards as part of a health-contingent wellness program, p ...
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Health Care Reform: Common Acronyms
Posted on: March 9, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceEBSA: Employee Benefits Security Administration. A division of the DOL responsible for compliance assistance regarding benefit plans. EPO Plan: An exclusive provider organization plan. A managed care plan that only covers services in the plan’s network of doctors, specialists or hospitals (except in an emergency). ERRP: The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. A temporary program created under health care reform to provide coverage to early retirees. FPL: Federal poverty level. A meas ...
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