Articles
Compliance Considerations When Moving from Fully-Insured to Self-Funded
Thursday, August 2, 2018
When a plan moves from fully-insured to self-funded (also referred to as self-insured), most benefit compliance requirements (e.g., ERISA, COBRA, Section 125) apply in the same fashion.
So You’re Thinking About Developing Condos…
Monday, July 30, 2018
Our region’s real estate cycle appears to be at the early stages of transition, with attention turning from “for rent” to “for sale” development projects.
IRS-SSA-CMS Data Match Employer Reporting Requirement Suspended
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended the IRS-SSA-CMS Data Match employer reporting requirement.
Healthcare Cyber 2.0
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Much has been written over the past five years about the necessity of healthcare finance officers and risk managers understanding the different available risk transfer options to mitigate exposure to losses suffered from a cyber event.
DOL Issues New Rules for Association Health Plans
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
The Department of Labor (DOL) has released final Association Health Plan (AHP) rules. The rules are designed to make it easier for small employers and individuals to join together to offer or purchase health insurance as a large group.
Five Strategies to Win the Battle for Top Talent in the Tech Industry
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
The battle for technology talent in the Pacific Northwest is fierce and, as important as it is to recruit, it is equally if not more important to retain employees. SHRM reports replacing an employee can cost anywhere between six to nine months of their annual salary.
2019 “Affordability” Percentage
Monday, June 18, 2018
In Revenue Procedure 2018-34, the IRS increased the affordability percentage from 9.56% to 9.86% for 2019. This percentage determines which applicable large employers may face penalties under §4980H(b) for failure to offer affordable coverage, and which individuals may qualify for subsidized coverage through a public Exchange.
How to Prevent Reverse Discrimination with Disability Benefits
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Employers are always looking for ways to enhance benefit plans and reduce risk. Combining group long term disability (LTD) and individual disability insurance can result in a more comprehensive disability program that maximizes protection for the employer and employees.
Manufacturers Need to “Millennial Up!”
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
We have all heard the term, “Millennial.” Many of us think of a twenty-something, video gaming, non-starter who is still living in mom and dad’s basement. As a Generation X’er, I have often wondered, are we so different?
Choosing an Employee Benefits Consultant for Your Small Business
Monday, June 4, 2018
Every day, businesses look at where their strengths lie and decide which areas of expertise should be hired in house, or outsourced to a third party. The result of those decisions boils down to where their resources are best spent.
Attracting Top Talent in a Competitive Market
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Times are good! The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the current ratio of unemployed Americans to open jobs is 1.1 to one, contrasted to 6.6 to one during the recession in 2009. It is no surprise to anyone in the Northwest looking to hire qualified people.
HSA Requirements for 2019
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Last week the IRS released the 2019 health savings account (HSA) annual contribution limits, as well as the corresponding high deductible health plan (HDHP) minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket (OOP) requirements.
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