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Military Appreciation Event
Posted on: September 12, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceTomorrow there will be an event in Columbia to show recognition and appreciation for those in the military. The event is open to all veterans, veteran organizations and the general public. Admission is free and there will be free food with military I.D., food vendors, a military story time, drill teams and kids activities. This event will take place tomorrow, September 13th, at Allen University (1530 Harden Street) in Columbia, SC from 11 am until 3 pm. This is a great event to attend to reco ...
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Patient Protections
Posted on: September 11, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceOn June 28, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and the Treasury issued interim final rules regarding these health plan coverage mandates. OB-GYN Care Plans that provide coverage for obstetrical and/or gynecological care (ob-gyn care) and require the patient to designate an in-network primary care provider may not require preauthorization or referral for a female participant seeking ob-gyn care. However, a plan may still require the ob-gyn provider to follow any pol ...
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Preventing Workplace Musculoskeletal Disorders
Posted on: September 10, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace are one of the leading causes of workday injury and illness. MSDs are diseases that affect the muscles, nerves and tendons through diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff injuries, muscle strains and lower back injuries. These are just a few examples of work related MSDs that are most frequently reported for causing lost or restricted work time. Wo ...
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Patient Protections
Posted on: September 9, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceAmong other reforms, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes three requirements on group health plans and group or individual health insurance coverage that are referred to as “patient protections.” These patient protections relate to the choice of a health care professional and requirements relating to benefits for emergency services, and became effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010. The ACA’s patient protections do not apply to grandfathered plans. Also, the rules ...
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Health Care Reform: General Q&A for Individuals
Posted on: September 8, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceI’ve heard a lot about the health care reform law. When did the reforms go into effect? Under the ACA, U.S. citizens must obtain health insurance coverage or they will be subject to penalties, with exceptions for low-income individuals and those unable to obtain affordable coverage. The health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010. The changes made by ACA take effect over a period of years. Some of the law's changes are already in ...
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Sporting Events This Weekend
Posted on: September 5, 2014Categories: News & EventsHere are some of the athletic events going on this weekend! There are several different sporting events going on that you and your family can attend. However, if you are unable to go to any of these events, some are televised nationally and you can watch from home! Enjoy your weekend! USC Sporting Events Friday, September 5th: Women's Soccer vs. Clemson @ 7:00 pm at Stone Stadium Saturday, September 6th: Men's Football Vs. Ea ...
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Automatic Enrollment
Posted on: September 4, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires certain large employers that offer health coverage to automatically enroll new employees (and re-enroll current employees) in one of the employer’s health plans, subject to any permissible waiting period. This requirement is found in Section 18A of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which was created by the ACA. Section 18A further requires adequate notice to employees and the opportunity for an employee to opt out of any coverage in which the employee ...
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Fruit and Veggies More Matters Month
Posted on: September 3, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7September is Fruit and Veggies More Matters Month! This is an initiative that helps encourage Americans to learn more about eating more fruits and vegetables and learn about the benefits these foods have. The national program is headed by Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) which is partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Together they emphasize and education the health benefits of adding more fruits an ...
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September 2014 Health Care Reform
Posted on: September 2, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) created new reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. Under these new reporting rules, certain employers must provide information to the IRS about the health plan coverage they offer (or do not offer) to their employees. Below are a few quick facts from our latest health care reform email; Click here to read the full legislative brief. • On July 24, 2014, the IRS released draft forms for Code Section 6055 & 6056 re ...
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Pre-Existing Conditions
Posted on: September 2, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) amended the rules regarding pre-existing condition exclusions in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The HIPAA rules applied only to group health plans and group health insurance coverage, and permitted limited exclusions of coverage based on pre-existing conditions under certain circumstances. However, the ACA rules prohibit any pre-existing condition from being imposed by group health plans or group health insurance coverage, ...
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10 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Retirement Plan
Posted on: September 1, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceUnderstanding fiduciary responsibilities is important for the security of a retirement plan and compliance with the law. If you answer “no” to any of the following questions, you may not be complying with federal regulations. 1. Have you identified your plan fiduciaries, and are they clear about the extent of their fiduciary responsibilities? ERISA defines a retirement plan fiduciary as a person or entity that does any of the following with respect to a retirement plan: o Exercises d ...
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Labor Day Festival and Parade in Chapin
Posted on: August 29, 2014Categories: News & EventsThe Hooked on Chapin Labor Day Festival will kick off this weekend with the Crooked Creek 5k on Saturday, August 30th. This race will benefit the Meals on Wheels program and will begin at 8:00am in Crooked Creek Park. You can register for the race up until the start of the race for $30 or $20 if you are walking! Then on Labor Day which is the following Monday, the festival will take place with several different activities such as a street fair, children’s carnival, a classic car show, annu ...
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Patient Protections
Posted on: August 28, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceAmong other reforms, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes three requirements on group health plans and group or individual health insurance coverage that are referred to as “patient protections.” These patient protections relate to the choice of a health care professional and requirements relating to benefits for emergency services, and became effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010. The ACA’s patient protections do not apply to grandfathered plans. Also, the rule ...
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The Scoop on Sleep
Posted on: August 27, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Everyone needs sleep every night because it keeps our mind and body healthy. The quantity and the quality of sleep are both very important because how well rested we feel the next day and our functioning depends on it. Sleep is important for us in several different ways. First, getting enough sleep can help keep us from getting sick from short term illnesses. However, it can also help decrease the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Sleeping well increases the lik ...
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Preventive Care Coverage Guidelines
Posted on: August 26, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires non-grandfathered health plans to cover certain preventive health services without imposing cost-sharing requirements for the services. This requirement generally became effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010. It does not apply to grandfathered health plans. On July 19, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and the Treasury (Departments) issued interim final rules relating to coverage of preventive ...
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IRS Revises ACA Affordability Percentage
Posted on: August 25, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceOn July 24, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s employer health plan affordability contribution percentage for 2015 in Revenue Procedure 2014-37. The affordability of an employer’s plan is assessed in three situations: the shared responsibility penalty for applicable large employers, the individual mandate and the premium tax credit for purchasing health coverage through an Exchan ...
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Labor Day Funk Run 5K
Posted on: August 22, 2014Categories: News & EventsIf you are close to Seneca or nearby in Greenville, the Labor Day Funk Run 5K may be just the activity you are looking for this Labor Day! This is an annual 5K race that will take place on September 1st, 2014 at Norton Thompson Park in Seneca, SC. The race will have funk music playing, and include fun themed cheer zones. It will begin at 8:00 am with awards following afterwards at 9:00 am. The first place male and female winners will receive $100 cash and every winner for each age group will ...
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Does Employer Health Coverage Affect Eligibility for Premium Savings through the Marketplace?
Posted on: August 21, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceYes. If you have an offer of health coverage from your employer that meets certain standards, you will not be eligible for a tax credit through the Marketplace and may wish to enroll in your employer's health plan. However, you may be eligible for a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium, or a reduction in certain cost-sharing if your employer does not offer coverage to you at all or does not offer coverage that meets certain ...
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Effects of Stress on Your Health
Posted on: August 20, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7Stress is a normal part of everyone’s life that forces the body to adjust to any change. The body reacts physically mentally and emotionally to these changes. Although it is normal to experience stress, it can actually take a toll on your health. While sometimes stress is positive such as keeping us alert to avoid danger, it is commonly negative because it prevents us from relaxing. Stress causes people to become overworked and stress-related tension begins to build up. Although it may not be ...
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Repaying Subsidy Overpayments
Posted on: August 18, 2014Categories: HR & ComplianceTo help eligible families and individuals purchase health insurance through an exchange, premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions were created. These subsidies reduce the out-of-pocket premium costs making coverage more affordable. These subsidies became available at the beginning of 2014 and will be available during the 2015 open enrollment period beginning November 15, 2014. Both subsidies are calculated by the taxpayer’s household income and family size based on taxable year and fede ...
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