Self & Level Funded Plan Sponsors Must Submit PCORI Fee by July 31 Each Year Quick Summary What The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee was created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and was effective beginning 2012. Who Employers that sponsor self/level funded plans must submit the fee. Employers that sponsor insured plans need…
There are a number of new health cost transparency obligations imposed upon employers that offer group health plans to employees. Although these rules have been overshadowed by COVID-19, these provisions will have a significant impact on health plans, similar to the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Although employers may engage third parties to…
HR Compliance Alert – April 25, 2022 Earlier today, the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) once again published an extension in the flexibilities provided and announced in March of 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. The previous postponement allowed flexibility through the end of April 2022. Today’s announcement cited “continued safety precautions related to…
Life can be unpredictable, and everyone experiences twists and turns along the way. Anything from daily challenges to traumatic events can leave lasting impacts. Each change affects people differently bringing a variety of thoughts, emotions, and uncertainty. Yet, because of resilience, people have the ability to adapt well over time to life-changing or stressful situations.…
The Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) online portal to submit 2021 EE0-1 reports is now open. The filing deadline is May 17, 2022. It is wise for company representatives (typically a member of the HR team) to start the process now to allow ample opportunity to complete the process in a timely fashion. The EEO-1 report…
Recent drug test rates show that positive workforce tests from 2021 climbed to the highest level since 2001, according to a new analysis released by Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of pre-employment and post-accident drug and alcohol testing. Quest Diagnostics’ study was based on a total of more than 11 million de-identified urine, hair, and…
Increase in Cyber-Attacks Leads to Influx of New Privacy Data Breach Reporting Obligations Originally published by Fisher Phillips (Monica Snyder Perl), GBS & Leavitt Group’s preferred partner for employment law. Republished with permission. Some content by Leavitt Group. In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and amid growing concerns regarding the threat of…
While it is clear that the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) imposes certain disclosure obligations on businesses regarding personal information collected about consumers, businesses often forget that they also have certain disclosure obligations regarding information created by the business about consumers.
On March 10, 2022, the California Attorney General issued an opinion clarifying whether consumers, under the CCPA, have the right to know about “internally generated inferences” created by businesses from either internal or external information sources.
Celebrate a world of flavors and discover lessons from the Blue Zones!
Day-to-day life can often feel overwhelming and complicated with to-do lists, busy schedules, and unexpected tasks. Connecting with nature brings a level of peace and presence to daily life that helps individuals maintain balance. A strong connection to the environment enhances emotional well-being and alleviates feelings of social isolation. https://youtu.be/FLK0Gxvc0n0 Just as important as connecting…
When the world is in turmoil, it often has a ripple effect on the workplace. Employees may feel anxious or stressed about events happening outside of work that impact their personal lives. HR teams should be prepared to support employees affected by international crises. Think about how employees’ backgrounds differ When providing support for employees…
Medical bills are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to read. Charges from clinics and hospitals tend to be lumped together instead of itemized – making it very difficult to see exactly what you are paying for. With many medical facilities going paperless, many patients are not even receiving the statements regarding the amount the insurer…
The cost of healthcare is continuously increasing, and 2022 may be no exception. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, medical expenses are expected to grow by 6.5% in the new year. Employer health plan premiums are expected to rise more than 5% in 2022, according to a Willis Towers Watson poll. Employers will want to strategize methods to…
Tired of bad sleep habits? One in three Americans report not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Sleep is an important pillar of good health. It strengthens the immune system, enhances memory, concentration, and decision-making skills. Not getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep can contribute to a host of health problems,…