Employer Health Care Reform Law Communication Mandate Delayed
Employers have more time to comply with rules dictated by the health care reform law that will require them to revamp how they communicate and explain their health care plans. In a notice published Nov. 17, the Department of Labor (DOL) said the reporting requirements would not go into effect until after final rules are […]
NJ Posting and Notification Requirements for Employers
The NJ Department of Labor and Workplace Development issued a new regulation concerning employer obligations and their record keeping. For employees hired after November 7, 2011 a written copy of the form notification of these regulations must be distributed at the time of hiring. For existing employees a document must be posted in a conspicuous […]
HHS Releases Recommendation to Halt CLASS Act
The Obama administration on Friday pulled the plug on a voluntary long-term care program that was part of the health care reform law. “We have not identified a way to make CLASS work at this time,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. Because the program was voluntary, critics say it would have resulted […]
IOM Issues Report for HHS Recommending Criteria and Methods
A new Institute of Medicine (IOM) report provides the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with a set of criteria and methods to develop a package of essential health benefits that will cover many health care needs, promote medically effective services and be affordable to purchasers. Certain insurance plans, including those participating in […]
Posting of Employee Rights Notice Extended; Now Required on Jan. 31
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has postponed the implementation date for its new notice-posting rule by more than two months in order to allow for enhanced education and outreach to employers, particularly those who operate small and midsize businesses. The new effective date of the rule is Jan. 31, 2012. No other changes in […]
CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Advantage and Part D Coverage
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has issued 298 pages of proposed revisions to the Medicare Advantage program and prescription drug benefit program (Part D) that would implement new benefits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and increase patient protections. The proposals would codify provisions providing new benefits including the 50 […]
Jobs Bill Would Cap Employer Exclusion and HRA/HSA Deductions
The release of President Barack Obama’s deficit reduction plan comes just a week after the President submitted to Congress the actual text of his proposed jobs legislation. The bill, S.1549 , would change the tax treatment of employer-sponsored health insurance. Section 401 of the bill limits the value of all itemized deductions for married couples […]
U.S. Plan Would Boost Access to Lab Results
The Obama administration proposed a new rule that would allow patients to have direct access to electronic medical records, including lab results without waiting to hear them from a doctor. At present, patients can only obtain lab results if their physicians provide authorization, or if they reside in a few states which allow such access. […]
CMS Issues Changes to Claims Submissions for Early Retiree Reinsurance Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced several changes to improve and streamline the process of submitting claims data for Early Retirement Reinsurance Program (ERRP) reimbursement requests. On Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, CMS will begin providing specific, claim line-level feedback to sponsors who submit claim lists through a new, fully automated review […]
Innovative Speaks in Dallas!
At the Fall 2011 United Benefit Advisors (UBA) Meeting in Dallas, Innovative’s own Mark Sulpizio and Terriann Procida spoke to over 300 members from across the country. Recognized as experts in the retirement plan industry, they discussed the added scrutiny and fiduciary responsibility for retirement plan sponsors, in light of the new 408(b)2 and 404(a) […]
