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South Carolina State Fair
Posted on: October 10, 2014Categories: News & EventsIt's that time of year again when you spot the bright flashing lights as you drive towards Williams Brice and the smell of fried food fills the air...the fair is back! The South Carolina State Fair officially kicked off this past Wednesday celebrating its 145th year with its annual 12 day fair during October! Also it has been named one of the Top 50 fairs in the US because of its success, activities, educational opportunities and entertainment. The Sou ...
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Overview of Grandfathered Plans (Part 2)
Posted on: October 9, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceHEALTH CARE REFORM PROVISIONS Which Health Care Reform Rules Do Not Apply to Grandfathered Plans? The health care reform law specifically exempts grandfathered plans from certain requirements of the law. Grandfathered health plans are not required to comply with the following health care reform provisions: Coverage of Preventive Health Services. Effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010, group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health i ...
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Traffic Safety- Drive Safely to Work Week
Posted on: October 8, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Almost every person drives everyday weather they are traveling to and from work, driving on the job or running daily errands outside of work. No matter the reason for driving, the time spent behind the wheel is very likely the most dangerous part of an employee’s day. This may come as a surprise because driving seems common so it appears to not be a threat to one’s health. However, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of occupa ...
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October 2014 Health Care Reform
Posted on: October 8, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceWith help from the IRS, effective for 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will provide premium tax credits to eligible individuals who purchase qualified health plan coverage through a health insurance exchange. The ACA also prohibits group health insurance issuers from applying any waiting period that exceeds 90 days. ACA’s 90 day waiting period requirement does not require an employer to offer coverage to any particular employee or class of employees, including part-time employees. It only p ...
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Overview of Grandfathered Plans (Part 1)
Posted on: October 7, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThe health care reform law contains many provisions that affect the health coverage you provide for your employees. The extent of the law’s impact depends, in part, on whether you maintain a “grandfathered” health plan. Grandfathered plans can avoid a number of the health care reform provisions. This Legislative Brief provides an overview of grandfathered plans, including information to help you understand what makes a plan “grandfathered.” It also includes a summary of the health car ...
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Lasik Eye Surgery
Posted on: October 2, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Lasik is a type of eye surgery that was developed to improve vision and reduce dependency on glasses or contact lenses. Lasik (short for Laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis) uses either a blade or laser to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back to reveal the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is the ...
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Make the Most of Your Cardio Workout
Posted on: October 1, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Cardio is a necessity when it comes to fitness routines because it helps make your heart healthier and stronger. Cardio workout plans can vary in duration and intensity based on the needs and goals of each individual. Here are some tips to improve your cardio workout! Track Your Heart Rate- Think of a heart rate monitor like the speedometer on your car- you shouldn't be working out (driving) without one. A monitor allows you to track ...
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Health Care Reform: Medicaid Q&A
Posted on: September 30, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceMedicaid provides the foundation of health coverage for low-income individuals under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Expansions to Medicaid under the ACA include establishing a national floor for coverage, eliminating the exclusion of adults without dependent children from coverage and providing states increased federal resources to fund the expansion of Medicaid. Who is eligible under the reform legislation? The ACA bases eligibility for Medicaid on income without regard to previous restricti ...
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PCORI Fee Amount Adjusted for 2014
Posted on: September 29, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors in order to fund comparative effectiveness research. These fees are widely known as Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). On Sept. 18, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Notice 2014-56, which provides the adjusted PCORI fee amount for plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2014, and before Oct. 1, 2015 (that is, 2014 for calendar year plans). For plan y ...
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Reduce Your Risk for CVD
Posted on: September 26, 2014Categories: News & EventsDid you know Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world? It is responsible for claiming approximately 17.3 million lives per year and this number is expected to continue increasing in the next few years. However, it is possible to prevent CVD by reducing the risk factors associated with it. There are four main risk factors that contribute to CVD: tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and inappropriate use of alcohol. All ...
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IRS Expands Rules for Mid-Year Election Changes Under Cafeteria Plans (continued)
Posted on: September 25, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceFor the fist part of this article, click here! Conditions for Election Changes Due to Reduction in Hours of Service A cafeteria plan may allow an employee to prospectively revoke an election of coverage under a group health plan if both of the following conditions are met: An employee who was reasonably expected to average at least 30 hours of service per week has a change in employment status so that the employee will reasonably be expected to average less than 30 hours of service per week ...
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Today is National Women’s Health & Fitness Day!
Posted on: September 24, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Women's health and fitness day is a national health promotion event for all women which puts a focus on the importance of physical activity and health awareness for women. Today more than 1,000 groups across the country will be hosting fitness events at different places and more than 80,000 women of all ages are estimated to attend! Activities at these events differ but may include things such as health screenings, health information work ...
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IRS Expands Rules for Mid-Year Election Changes Under Cafeteria Plans
Posted on: September 23, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceOn Sept. 18, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2014-55, which expands the situations in which individuals can change their health coverage elections under an Internal Revenue Code (Code) Section 125 cafeteria plan. This guidance will be welcomed by individuals whose ability to enroll in coverage under a Health Insurance Exchange would have been limited by current IRS regulations. The IRS intends to modify the regulations under Code Section 125 to be consistent with this no ...
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Annual Medicare Part D Notices Are Due by Oct. 14, 2014
Posted on: September 22, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceQuick Facts: Medicare Part D imposes disclosure requirements on employers with group health plans that provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare-eligible individuals. Plan sponsors must provide the annual Medicare Part D creditable coverage disclosure notices to individuals before Oct. 15, 2014. Model notices are available for employers to use Employers with group health plans that provide prescription drug coverage to individuals who are eligible for coverage under Medicare ...
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Deadline for Updating BAAs is Sept. 22, 2014
Posted on: September 22, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceOn Jan. 25, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule under HIPAA’s administrative simplification provisions. The final rule updated HIPAA’s privacy, security, enforcement and breach notification requirements, and included changes required by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act). The final rule includes changes that may require updates to the agreements between covered entities (for example, a health plan) and ...
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Let’s Move! Columbia GameDay
Posted on: September 19, 2014Categories: News & EventsThis Saturday, September 20th, 2014, the City of Columbia will host Let's Move! Columbia GameDay in recognition of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month! Childhood obesity is a major issue in our local community and this event will raise awareness of the important of physical activity and healthy eating for all children and their families. The event will take place in the green space next to the Drew Wellness Center and will ...
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Health Savings Accounts- HDHPs (Part 3)
Posted on: September 18, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThis is a continued overview of eligibility rules for a health care plan to qualify as a high deductible health plan (HDHP). Out-of-pocket Maximum To qualify as an HDHP, the sum of the plan's annual deductible and any other annual out-of-pocket expenses that the insured is required to pay, such as copayments and coinsurance but not premiums, cannot exceed the annual out-of-pocket maximum. The IRS has clarified that copayments must be taken into account for purposes of an HDHP’s out-of-pock ...
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Back to School: Backpacks 101
Posted on: September 17, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7With the return of the school year, your children are likely shouldering backpacks on their way to the bus and down school hallways. While backpacks are convenient and often necessary, they can also pose a health risk if not used properly. Backpacks, especially overloaded ones, can strain muscles and joints, causing fatigue and injury to your child. Children should carry no more than 10 to 15 percent of their body weight in their ...
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Health Savings Accounts- HDHPs (Part 2)
Posted on: September 16, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThis is a continued overview of eligibility rules fora health plan to qualify as a high deductible health plan (HDHP). Minimum Annual Deductible An HDHP must have a minimum annual deductible of $1,250 for self-only coverage ($1,300 for 2015) and $2,500 for family coverage ($2,600 for 2015). Except for preventive care benefits, an HDHP cannot pay benefits for covered services until the minimum annual deductible has been satisfied. Family Coverage – Embedded Deductibles When an indivi ...
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Health Savings Accounts- HDHPs (Part 1)
Posted on: September 15, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceHealth savings accounts (HSAs) are a popular type of tax-advantaged medical savings account available to individuals who are enrolled in high deductible health plans (HDHPs). Individuals can use their HSAs to pay for expenses that are covered under the HDHP until their deductible has been met, or they can use their HSAs to pay for qualified medical expenses that are not covered under the HDHP, such as dental or vision expenses. Due to an HSA’s potential tax savings, federal tax law imposes st ...
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