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Staying Motivated through the Holidays
Posted on: December 10, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7The weather is getting colder, the days are shorted and it is difficult to stay motivated with a fitness routine. Don’t wait until the New Year to start though, instead stay motivated through the holidays. Holidays will affect your routine, however it is how you adjust that matters. Use this time to your advantage by trying new things such as a new exercise machine, switch up your program, do your cardio on different days, or tr ...
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Health Care Reform: Factors Affecting Premium Cost
Posted on: December 8, 2014Categories: HR & CompliancePrior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) becoming law, it was common practice for insurance companies to vary the price of premiums based on factors such as health status, demographics, industry and the amount of time someone had been on a plan. These practices are now banned. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, health insurance companies offering coverage to individuals and small employers are only allowed to vary premiums based on age, family size, geography and tobacco use. Basing premiums on other factor ...
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Carols Along the Riverwalk
Posted on: December 5, 2014Categories: News & EventsDo you want to get in the holiday spirit early this year? Well the Carols Along the Riverwalk is the perfect place to go tonight. From 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm there will be caroling throughout the Cayce Riverwalk Park. Several are church choirs and local musicians will be located within the first half mile of the park. Visitors can wander from group to group and enjoy different holiday music. In addition, the park will be lighted with lumin ...
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HSA Question and Answer Key
Posted on: December 4, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceTrue or False: Health Savings accounts (HSAs) are only good for the elderly who have many health problems. False What are examples of qualified medical expenses? Prescription Eyeglasses Surgery for a broken leg Dental exam Cholesterol medication True or False: HSAs allow you to pay medical bills with tax free money. True If you leave your employer, who owns and keeps the HSA? You True or False: There is a time limit for using your HSA funds and you will lose the money in ...
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Stay Healthy This Winter
Posted on: December 3, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Winter doesn’t have to be the unhealthiest time of the year for your family. Here are some ways to fight the cold weather and keep your body healthy and fit! 1. Catch Up on Sleep- Most Americans sleep much less than the recommended hours per night. However, we naturally sleep more in the winter time because of the long nights. Use these extra hours of sleep to eliminate your sleep debt. 2. Add Dairy to Your Diet- Its no surprise ...
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December 2014 Health Care Reform
Posted on: December 2, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceOn Nov. 21, 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its 2016 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Proposed Rule. The proposed rule describes benefit and payment parameters applicable to the 2016 benefit year, including standards relating to the: Reinsurance program’s annual contribution rate; Open enrollment period for 2016; and Annual limitations on cost-sharing. HHS may make changes to the proposed rule before finalizing it. However, the proposed rule is a g ...
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Embedded and Non-embedded Deductibles
Posted on: December 2, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceHealth insurance is something that everyone should have, but it’s also something that many people don’t completely understand. One of the concepts that is essential to grasp is how your deductible works. There are two basic types of deductibles for family coverage, and knowing which one you have and how it works will help you plan for out-of-pocket health care expenses. Deductibles A deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket for medical care before the insurance company will begi ...
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HIPAA Certificates No Longer Required in 2015
Posted on: December 1, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceEffective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits group health plans and issuers from imposing pre-existing condition exclusions (PCEs) on any enrollees. Prior to 2014 plan years, the ACA prohibited PCEs for enrollees under 19 years of age. The ACA’s restrictions on PCEs apply to both grandfathered and non-grandfathered plans. On Feb. 24, 2014, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury (Departments) issued a final r ...
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Clemson vs. USC Game
Posted on: November 28, 2014Categories: News & EventsRivalry week is coming to an end and tomorrow the Clemson Tigers will host the University of South Carolina Gamecocks at Memorial stadium to continue the Battle of the Palmetto State. Kick-off is at noon and the game will be shown on ESPN. The two teams have had a consistent in-state rivalry since the 1800’s so every game played is a big deal. The USC Gamecocks have a current five year winning streak on the Tigers so tomorrow’s game w ...
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How Dehydration Could be Affecting Your Health
Posted on: November 26, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Dehydration can have a lot more impact on your body than you may expect. It could even be a contributing factor to excessive weight and illness. Here are some of the health effects dehydration can have on your body. Fatigue- Water helps provide energy to the body so when it is lacking, enzymatic activity slows making you more tired and fatigued. Asthma/Allergies- Dehydration causes the body to constrict airways to conserve water. This ...
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IRS Q&As on Form W-2 Reporting
Posted on: November 25, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) added Internal Revenue Code (Code) section 6051(a)(14), which requires employers to report the aggregate cost of employer-sponsored group health plan coverage on their employees’ Forms W-2. This reporting requirement was originally effective for the 2011 tax year. However, the IRS later made reporting optional for 2011. In April 2011, the IRS issued Notice 2011-28, which furthered delayed the Form W-2 reporting requirement for small employers and provided interim ...
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December HR Brief
Posted on: November 24, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceDid You Know? Many employers hire additional workers during the holidays. The same screening laws and EEOC guidelines that apply to regular applicants also apply to seasonal or temporary workers. Background checks for temporary workers must be just as thorough as those given to permanent workers, as employers may open themselves up to legal issues if temporary workers are only vetted through an Internet search. However background checks for seasonal employees cannot be stricter, nor can their r ...
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Lights Before Christmas
Posted on: November 21, 2014Categories: News & EventsToday is the opening day of Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. This is their longest running holiday tradition with this year being the 27th annual year! The zoo will light up more than one million twinkling lights and animated images representing Riverbanks animals. Additionally there is a jingle bell bonfire, music in motion lights spectacular, a show every night and a special appearance from Santa! You can also purchase hot ...
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December Benefits Buzz (2)
Posted on: November 20, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceHPID Requirement Delayed Indefinitely On Oct. 31, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a delay in enforcement of the Health Plan Identifier (HPID) requirement until further notice.The HPID is a standard, unique health plan identifier required by the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).The delay, which was announced five days before the initial deadline to obtain an HPID, means that for the foreseeable future, health plan sponso ...
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Foods that Fight the Cold and Flu
Posted on: November 19, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Try these ten foods to help prevent or treat cold and flu symptoms! Citrus Fruit- These fruits contain high levels of Vitamin C antioxidants which can reduce cold symptoms by up to 23%. Ginger- Not only does this soothe a scratchy throat, but it also contains chemicals that target rhinoviruses which are the most common family of cold viruses. Additionally, ginger contains substances that suppress coughing. Honey- This coats your throa ...
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December Benefits Buzz
Posted on: November 18, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceAgencies Prohibit All Employer Reimbursement of Individual Premiums Due to the rising costs of health coverage, employers have shown interest in helping employees pay for individual health insurance policies instead of offering employer-sponsored plans. In response, on Nov. 6, 2014, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQ guidance stating that these arrangements do not comply with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) market reforms ...
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Runway Run 5K- Nov. 22nd
Posted on: November 14, 2014Categories: News & EventsNext weekend is the fifth and final year of the Runway Run 5k! It will take place at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport on November 22nd at 10:00 am. You can register for the 5k and your kids can join in by participating in the Kid's Fun Run. The registration pricing is as follows, sign up today! November 2-21, 2014 – Shirts not guaranteed after November 10, 2014! $40 5K Run $25 5K Military $20 Junior ROTC $10 Kids’ Fun Run (Ages 5k to 5th Graders – sh ...
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Agencies Prohibit All Employer Reimbursement of Individual Premiums
Posted on: November 13, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceDue to the rising costs of health coverage, employers have shown interest in helping employees pay for individual health insurance policies instead of offering an employer-sponsored plan. In response, on Nov. 6, 2014, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQ guidance clarifying that these arrangements do not comply with the ACA’s market reforms and may subject employers to penalties. Although it was widely believed that these p ...
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Tips to Prevent Insomnia
Posted on: November 12, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Insomnia can be acute or chronic meaning it could be temporary or a long-term problem. If you are experiencing chronic insomnia, consult your physician for treatment. If you are experiencing acute insomnia, try these suggestions to help prevent it and get a good night’s sleep! Make Your Bedroom Cozy- Clear clutter and distractions from your bedroom so it feels more inviting to sleep in. Also make sure your mattress fits your needs. U ...
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IRS Closes Minimum Value Loophole for Low-cost Employer Plans
Posted on: November 11, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceUnder the Affordable Care Act (ACA), minimum value (MV) of an employer-sponsored plan is significant for a number of purposes. Beginning in 2015, certain large employers may be penalized if the health plan they offer does not provide MV. Also, an individual who is offered employer-sponsored coverage that is affordable and provides MV may not receive a subsidy for coverage through an Exchange. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have provided f ...
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