Student debt has multi-generational impact on financial wellness

Student debt is not only affecting millennials who are stressed about their finances and distracted by money issues when they are at work. Outstanding student loans are also affecting baby boomers who may be helping their kids to pay down balances owing instead of saving enough money to fund their own retirement. A new study […]

Opposition to PPACA remains, but understanding of law has changed

A new study of public opinion on the Patient Protection and Affordable Act (PPACA) suggests the landmark health law is more popular than is generally assumed. The analysis that was published in Health Affairs is based on polling data from the first four years after the PPACA was adopted by Congress in 2010, so the […]

Private exchange market just getting started

Media hype made us think it would happen overnight. But while private benefits exchanges still haven’t gone mainstream, there has been a tremendous explosion in the adoption of automated enrollment systems. Just notice how many clients now have some type of benefits administration platform in place today. When it comes to private exchanges, employers across […]

7 questions employers have about the new fiduciary regs

Since the Department of Labor released its final fiduciary compliance rules, there has been a tremendous amount of media coverage devoted to what plan sponsors need to know. Although much of it has been well written with good intentions, most of it has only served to confuse plan sponsors. Based upon what I am hearing […]

Paid family leave increasing in Calif., San Francisco sees further top-up

California’s paid family leave benefits will increase to 60% or 70% of weekly normal earnings beginning in 2018, but as a result of a city ordinance, San Francisco employers will have to top up these benefits to 100% of salary for some workers. “The California PFL provisions do not provide a job-protected leave. That’s governed […]

Businesses sue major provider network in California

Businesses in California are going to war with one of the Golden State’s largest medical providers over the cost of care. A group of companies is suing Sutter Health, a nonprofit network of hospitals, clinics, and doctors in northern California, accusing it of anticompetitive practices and price gouging. The suit, which a number of major private and […]

How to prepare for a HIPAA audit

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights has announced it will be launching phase two of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act audit program. Advisers can help clients prepare by updating policies and procedures, among other steps. HIPAA provides the ability to transfer and continue health insurance coverage for millions […]

Don’t Neglect Written Polices and Procedures

By Elizabeth Kay, Compliance & Retention Analyst I have worked with my fair share of companies, both large and small, from companies that are just starting out to those that have been well established for 30 or more years. It has been my experience that most companies, no matter how long they have been in […]

Staffing practices in need of review with new NLRB ruling

Your company has decided to hire a staffing agency. You sign a contract that states the staffing agency will provide temporary workers to your company. The contract contains legalese reserving your company’s right to exercise limited control like assigning work and setting hours. You tell the staffing agency that your company is open Monday through […]