COBRA Subsidy Period Extended
President Obama signed into law the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (HR 4691). Among other provisions, this law extends the COBRA subsidy eligibility period under ARRA to March 31, 2010. As with ARRA, the changes affect continuation coverage offered under COBRA and any comparable state law. As with its COBRA predecessors, this law takes immediate effect. Click here to continue.
IRS: Alzheimer's Expenses are Medical Care
A recent information letter by the IRS addressed whether the monthly fee that is paid to an Alzheimer's medical facility is considered a qualified medical expense and in turn tax deductible. In Information Letter 2009-052, the IRS confirmed that if an individual is in a full-time facility and the principal reason for being there is the availability of medical care to treat Alzheimer's disease, then the entire cost of medical care, meals and lodging is deductible as a medical expense, under Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. Click here to continue.
DOL Posts Updated Application and Instructions for Expedited Review of Denial of COBRA Subsidy
The DOL has posted on its website an updated application and instructions to be used by individuals to request that the DOL review a denial of a COBRA premium subsidy. Click here to download an application.
Parity Law Expands Mental Health Access
Denise Camp was resigned to the double standard that had long applied to her medical bills, forcing her to skimp on other expenses so she could pay for mental health treatment. Click here to continue.
The Most Common HIPAA Privacy Mistakes Employers Make
After making initial compliance efforts, many employers may have put the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 on the back burner. Click here to continue.
Top Five Pitfalls in FLSA Compliance
Wage and hour claims are increasing rapidly, which can be costly to business owners who are unaware of the proper guidelines. Further, class action lawsuits are also becoming increasingly prevalent. Click here to continue.
Question of the Month
Question: We understand that our group health plan can terminate a qualified beneficiary's COBRA coverage early if he or she becomes entitled to Medicare after electing COBRA. When is a qualified beneficiary considered to be entitled to Medicare? Click here for the answer. |
CFOs expect health-care costs to rise 6.8% on average this year, with the biggest increases coming at tech, software, and biotech companies. Click here to continue.
Psychological Barriers Prevent Lowering of Health Care Costs
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister ran a mile in under four minutes for the first time in recorded history. Not a professional athlete, Bannister was a medical student at Oxford University and ran the mile in 3:59:40. This accomplishment may not sound as remarkable now - in the age of high-tech, computer-monitored training, professional sponsorships and cutting-edge nutritional science - as it did then, but in the early 1950s many people simply didn't believe that any man could run a mile in such a short amount of time. Click here to continue.
Employers and Employees Focusing on Health Costs
New research from Deloitte and the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS) finds a shared focus between employers and employees on health, responsibility and cost reduction. Click here to continue.
Workplace Wellness Programs Work
Workplace wellness programs help employees lost weight and reduce their risk of heart disease, a new study shows. Click here to continue.
Pay-or-Play Triggers Fresh Thoughts on Health Programs
Employers spend millions on health promotion initiatives, believing the programs are a key strategy to reducing health care costs. Yet, many struggle to measure the return of investment on those programs. Click here to continue.
Case Study: Demystifying High-Deductible Plans
Intel's strategy was to convince employees to consider plan facets other than just the core high deductible element, including lower premiums, preventive care coverage and the accrual of a health account. After three years of year-round education and communication, enrollment in a high-deductible plan linked to a health savings or health reimbursement account rose from 14 percent to 49 percent. Click here to continue.
Employees Blind to Value of Vision Benefits
Almost half of U.S. employees are not fully taking advantage of their vision benefits, potentially putting themselves at greater risk for costly eye problems and systemic diseases. Click here to continue.
Disaster-Proofing the DC Plan
With many of the fires of 2008-2009 extinguished or at least under control, plan sponsors are now asking: What are the next ticking time bombs to avoid? Or to put it another way: How can we disaster-proof our plans against the next financial upheaval-whatever that may be? Here are some approaches under consideration.
Low on the Totem Pole
Although widely viewed as important, when it comes down to purchasing, disability insurance ranks below other benefit offerings. Click here to continue.
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| Property & Casualty Updates |
Don't Slip and Fall Over Workers' Comp
Workers' compensation fraud can bedevil employers. While some fraud-minded employees are around, the bulk of the illegality is committed by physicians, service providers, adjusters and more, according to research. Virtually anybody who touches a claim could "cheat the system", an expert says. Click here to continue. Bollinger's Personal Lines Newsletter: Teens Behind the Wheel
"You passed!" These two little words are music to a teenager's ears, yet for parents of young drivers, they often signal a new set of parental worries. Teen drivers have the highest death rates of any age group. Click here to continue.
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Personal Lines Division Launches a New Refer-a-Friend Reward Program
Our gift to you for referring a new customer to Bollinger is a $10 gas card! Just complete or give the attached referral form to a friend, relative or business associate. If we provide them with a quote, we will send YOU a $10 gas card for each person you refer to us. It's that simple! So why not refer someone today? |
