June 25, 2021
Advocacy in Action | Billing Corrections
Juan had gone in for an echocardiogram. Almost everything turned out fine…everything but the billing! Juan was not expecting to get a bill that was over $2,500! He contacted his dedicated Patient Advocate and they got on the case. In the end, all that Juan owed was less than the cost of getting ...
June 24, 2021
PTO: To Infinity and Beyond
Critics of unlimited paid time off (PTO) policies often believe this flexible approach will create havoc across the company; employees will take advantage of this generous benefit and it will be difficult to get work completed as a result. The research suggests otherwise. The results of a study ...
June 24, 2021
Dealing with the Unknown: Return-to-Office Anxiety
The first day returning to the office after a 14-month hiatus may feel like the first day of school. You don a new outfit (your sweats don’t seem office appropriate!), grab your packed lunch (not sure what restaurants will be open), and jump in your car early to make that 8:30 a.m. meeting in ...
June 24, 2021
FMLA Manager Refresher
Managers have a slew of responsibilities related to supervising employee productivity and overseeing business operations. But it doesn’t stop there. Managers are also tasked with being knowledgeable in a handful of policies and procedures to support their employees. For example, a manager ...
June 24, 2021
The Gratitude Ripple Effect
Positive psychology studies consistently show that giving thanks for the everyday parts of your life will contribute to greater happiness. Something as easy as writing in a gratitude journal daily or joining a 30-day gratitude challenge raises personal awareness of the positive in your life. ...
June 24, 2021
Transitional Relief May Be Transitioning Out
Employers providing health coverage are required in many cases to report annual information returns and statements regarding employee and dependent coverage to the IRS. Notice 2020-76 provided relief from penalties for certain aspects of the 2020 information-reporting requirements as it relates ...
June 18, 2021
IRS Tool for Advance Child Tax Credit
On June 14, 2021, the IRS issued a news release which unveiled an online Non-filer Sign-up tool designed to help eligible families who don’t normally file tax returns register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to begin July 15. The tool is also designed to help ...
June 18, 2021
Supreme Court Upholds the Affordable Care Act
On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) by a 7-to-2 vote. The Court heard oral arguments in the case, California v. Texas, on November 10, 2020, which was a consolidation of 20 cases filed by state attorneys ...
June 14, 2021
Compliance Reminder | PCORI Fee Notice
This is a reminder that the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee imposed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on your health plan is due by 07/31/21. The fee is due by July 31st of the year following the end of the plan year. The following chart will ...
June 9, 2021
Compliance Recap | May 2021
May 2021 was a somewhat busy month in the benefits industry. The absence of a significant of amount of agency guidance during the summer months is to be expected. However, the IRS finally issued guidance on the temporary 100% COBRA subsidy mandated by the American Plan Rescue Act of 2021 (the ...
