Pension Consultants/Administrators
Leading Northern NJ Actuarial Firm
in NJ

Retirement Planning Consultant
Transamerica Retirement Solutions
in WI

Corporate Retirement Services Manager
McLaren Health Care
in MI

Director, Client Executive
Transamerica Retirement Solutions
in TN, TX

Senior Retirement Plan Manager
Chemung Canal Trust Company
in NY

Senior Defined Benefit Administrator
Northeast Professional Planning Group
in NY

Defined Contribution Administrator
Northeast Professional Planning Group
in NY

401(k) Distribution and Loan Specialist
Malcolm Thompson & Associates
in TX

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Strengthening the Web of Financial and Retirement Security for Today's Working Americans
January 29, 2014 in DC
(National Academy of Social Insurance)

Top 10 Plan Designs for the Small Employer, and Creative Plan Corrections – Des Moines
January 31, 2014 in IA
(SunGard Relius)

Plan Administrator Skills Workshop
March 14, 2014 in OK
(SouthWest Benefits Association)

Navigate Alternative Assets Conference
March 24, 2014 in DC
(Retirement Industry Trust Association (RITA))

View All Webcasts and Conferences

[Guidance Overview]

New FAQs on ACA Extend Fully-Insured Expatriate Health Plan Transitional Relief and Clarify Scope
"Highlights from the new guidance include: [1] Transitional relief extended by 'at least' another plan year.... [2] 6-month requirement applies on a rolling basis to expatriates residing outside of their home country or the U.S.... [3] Transitional relief extended to 'essential health benefits' package[.]" (Proskauer's ERISA Practice Center)  

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[Guidance Overview]

Recent Developments: New ACA Guidance, Church Plans and Contraceptive Coverage
"[FAQ 18 clarifies] again that plans and insurers are not required to count out-of-pocket spending for out-of-network providers towards the out-of-pocket maximum, although they may do so. However, HHS strongly urges qualified health plans to allow in-network coverage for providers listed in the QHP's provider directory for early months of coverage if the provider directory was not current and an individual signs up for a QHP only to find that his or her provider is not in-network. Plans are also not required to count toward the out-of-pocket maximum expenditures for non-covered services, although they may do so." (Timothy Jost in Health Affairs Blog)  

[Guidance Overview]

Final IRS Regs Will Exclude Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders from ACA Full-Time Employee Count
"[T]he forthcoming final regulations relating to employer shared responsibility generally will not require volunteer hours of bona fide volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical personnel at governmental or tax-exempt organizations to be counted when determining full-time employees (or full-time equivalents).... [T]his guidance strikes the appropriate balance in the treatment provided to traditional full-time emergency responder employees, bona fide volunteers, and to our Nation's first responder units, many of which rely heavily on volunteers." (Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, U.S. Department of the Treasury)  

Second Wave of Health Insurance Disruption Affects Small Businesses
"Some of the small-business cancellations are occurring because the policies don't meet the law's basic coverage requirements. But many are related only indirectly to the law; insurers are trying to move customers to new plans designed to offset the financial and administrative risks associated with the health-care overhaul. As part of that, they are consolidating their plan offerings to maximize profits and streamline how they manage them." (The Washington Post; subscription may be required)  

Enrollees at Health Exchanges Face Struggle to Prove Coverage
"[P]atients are also having a hard time figuring out whether particular doctors are affiliated with their health insurance plan. Doctors themselves often do not know if they are in the network of providers for plans sold on the exchange. But interviews with doctors, hospital executives, pharmacists and newly insured people around the country suggest that the biggest challenge so far has been verifying coverage." (The New York Times; subscription may be required)  

[Advert.]

Leverage the On-Site Clinic Experience to Expand Employee Access and Drive Down Costs

Putting in motion changes to the healthcare delivery model is the only true way to drive down health care costs. Our 2014 event gives you access to the industry's leading minds, most innovative employers and case studies. March 11-12, Orlando. BLINK3 for discount.

Why Half of All Healthcare CEOs Don't Want to Be in an ACO
"46% of hospital chief executives in a recent survey reported no plans to participate in an ACO or ACO-like model in the near future.... CEOs feel that either their hospital or healthcare organization is too small for an ACO-like structure (49%) or that there are too many unknowns and inconsistencies surrounding the models to take the risk of participating (52%)." (HealthLeaders Media)  

Can Excess Trips to the Potty Be Counted as FMLA Leave?
"When counting bathroom time against an employee's FMLA entitlement, only do so if the frequency and duration extends beyond the employee's normal lunch and break periods. Don't be fooled by the lazy employee. If an employee has notified you of a medical condition causing their unusually frequent or lengthy trips to the bathroom, that's one thing. But if not, treat it first as a performance-related issue, and communicate with the employee about your expectations and how they're missing the mark." (FMLA Insights)  

In Exchange Damage Control, Maryland Improvises with Bridge Plan
"Trying to help thousands of Maryland residents who still can't enroll online, lawmakers are hoping to use the state's high risk pool plan as an emergency, short-term coverage option, while the insurance exchange's problems are fixed. Under a bill designed by Governor Martin O'Malley's administration, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Fund, the state's high risk pool plan, would be extended and 'used to subsidize health insurance coverage for bridge eligible individuals,' those who qualify for exchange credits but were 'unsuccessful in enrolling in coverage.'" (Healthcare Payer News)  

GAO Finds CMS Has Implemented Processes to Oversee Plan Finder Pricing Accuracy and Improve Website Usability
"GAO was asked to review CMS's efforts to ensure that beneficiaries can use [Medicare Part D's] Plan Finder effectively. This report examines (1) how CMS oversees the accuracy of drug pricing information in Plan Finder; and (2) how CMS assesses the usability of Plan Finder and any steps CMS has taken to improve it." (U.S. Government Accountability Office)  

Improvements in Health Status After Massachusetts Health Care Reform
"Relative to other New England states, Massachusetts residents reported gains in general health (1.7%), physical health (1.3%), and mental health (1.5%). Massachusetts residents were also more likely to access key preventive services such as Pap screening, colonoscopy, and cholesterol testing.... [A]dults in households that earned up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (approximately $70,000 for a family of four) were 6.1 percent more likely to be insured than those in neighboring states and reported greater gains in health status." (The Commonwealth Fund)  

Spin-off Playbook: When Corporate Transactions Impact Benefit Plans
"Corporate spin-offs present a range of equity compensation, 409A, and employee benefits issues that are often under-appreciated, and lately recognized.... [H]ere is a checklist from which to get started[.]" (ERISACloud.com)  

Putting Out the Equity Compensation Fire?
"Equity compensation has become more volatile and complex during the past two decades. While it isn't about to go away, it does require more planning, expertise and pragmatism than most companies realize. Burn rates are just one component." (Compensation Cafe)  

Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout App Now Available For iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android Smartphones and Tablets
Wellness & Prevention, Inc.

US Department of Labor Obtains Consent Judgment Ordering Restoration of Almost $53,000 to SIMPLE IRA Plan of Former Rhode Island Day Care Business
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), U.S. Department of Labor

US Department of Labor Files Suit to Recover Unpaid Contributions to 401(k) Plan of West Haven, Conn., Contractor
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), U.S. Department of Labor

Accenture Selected to Continue Improvements to HealthCare.gov
Accenture

Benefit Advisors Network Announces Carrier Partnership With Reliance Standard Life Insurance
Benefit Advisors Network

Capital BlueCross, PinnacleHealth System Team Up to Bring Employers a New Health Insurance Option
Capital BlueCross

Enrollment Growth In Government-Based Healthcare Coverage Drastically Outpaces Commercial Insurance In Puerto Rico
Decision Resources Group

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