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Alpha e-News Update
February 2012 |
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The Alpha Group Agency
4200 Rockside Road, Suite 300
Independence, Ohio 44131
216-520-3300 |
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The Constitutional Challenges to PPACA
The 2,700 pages of PPACA have generated political and legal controversy since passage in March 2010. Here is an outline of the challenges the law faces when heading to the Supreme Court in 2012 and the possible scenarios as a result of the hearings. View Article
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From the Alpha Wellness Team
The Cost of Chronic Disease and the Need for Prevention
Chronic diseases - such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes - are responsible for 7 of 10 deaths among Americans each year. Treatment for people with chronic conditions account for more than 75 percent of the more than $2.5 trillion spent on annual U.S. medical care costs.
With disease risk often related to economic, social, and physical factors, too many people engage in behaviors - such as tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol abuse - that lead to poor health and contribute to chronic disease. The indirect costs of poor health-including absenteeism,
disability, and reduced work output-may be several times higher than direct medical costs.
Download the February Wellness Issue for an employee handout |
 The Key to Benefits Sucess
Statistics show benefits are among the greatest factors in keeping employees loyal and productive. Communication is your secret weapon to keeping your workforce engaged and healthy - and helping the bottom line. View Article |
IRS Clarifies Guidelines for W-2 Reporting of Health Coverage Costs
 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires employers to report the aggregate cost of employer-sponsored health coverage on the Forms W-2 of its employees. In March 2011, the Internal Revenue Service issued interim guidance on the Form W-2 informational reporting requirement in the form of 31 Q&As. Recently, the Internal Revenue Service revised this interim guidance by issuing Notice 2012-9, which clarifies several of the original Q&As and adds some Q&As. More |
To Maximize Retirement Benefits, Know the Rules
Courtesy of EBN, January 23, 2012  When the oldest baby boomers start turning 66 this year, they'll be eligible to file for full Social Security benefits. But pollsters say many Americans plan to work well past that age, reflecting tough economic times and a general desire to reshape the idea of retirement. View Article |
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"What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens."
- Thaddeus Golas
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Red Bean Salsa
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Ravin' Red Smoothie
Red Bean Salsa
- Combine 2 cups red beans
- 1/2 cup diced red onions
- 1 cup diced red tomato
- 1/4 cup diced jalapeno (remove seeds)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, and salt & pepper
Chill and serve with whole grain tortilla chips or vegetables.
Ravin' Red Smoothie
Blend:
- 1 cup low-fat yogurt
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
- One banana
Download recipes
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Have employees in California or New York? |
Have employees in California and New York? Then you need to be aware of recent legislation on "wage theft." Both these states have included criminal and civil penalties for employers who underpay their employees in the regulation, as well as additional notice requirements that can create havoc for the unwary employer.
In both these states employers are required to provide written notice to employees ( non-exempt employees only in California) with information on pay such as rate, how rate is paid (hourly, piece-rate, etc.), overtime rates, employer contact information and worker's compensation carrier. New York regulations also stipulate that the notice be in the employee's primary language in addition to English.
Both states have created templates to aid employers in complying with the new regulations.
New York Template
California Template |
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Alpha Benefits, Inc. / Alpha Financial Services, Inc. / Alpha Property & Casualty, Inc. / AlphaHR, LLC.
Your partner for stability, security & growth. |
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