|
Business Insurance
Crop
Employee Benefits
Wellness
Risk Management |
|
Welcome to ABIS's online newsletter!
We are pleased to send you ABIS's very first electronic newsletter, which will replace all newsletters we've sent in the past. Future issues will include articles reflecting current business and employee benefit insurance news, wellness and risk management best practices, and financial service strategies.
If you have any questions on the articles feel free to contact your ABIS team: Producer, Account Manager, or the article author. We hope you find this newsletter useful and informative. |
 |  Business Insurance |
|
| |
Protect Yourself with Flood Insurance 
Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Over the past 10 years, the average flood claim has amounted to over $33,000. (read more) |
| |
|
Certificates of Insurance
Certificates of insurance have undergone some changes. Read tips about these new forms as presented by Brent Winans, CPCU, ARM, Vice President, Risk Management Services. (read full article) |
| | |
Medicare Mandatory Insurer Reporting Section 111 Summary of MMSEA
By now you should have received information on the Medicare Section 111 reporting requirements from either Medicare or from your Workers' Compensation carrier. In speaking with our clients, ABIS has learned that some clients who may be self-paying Workers' Compensation "medical only" claims in excess of $750(per claim) may not be aware of the new Medicare reporting requirements that become effective in 2011. We've attached a document that summarizes these new rules and provides guidelines on how you may be affected. If you have further questions after reviewing this information please contact your insurance carrier's claims department or Tim Lefler in ABIS's Risk Management Services Department. (read more)
(back to top) |
|
Crop |
| | |
Save the Date, March 15th
Crop Insurance Sales Closing date is March 15, 2011. Any new policies, canceled coverage, changes in plan of insurance, insured crops, counties, level of coverage, or other options need to be made before this date. (read more)
(back to top) |
| Employee Benefits |
| |
|
Compliance with the Non-Discrimination Regulations for Fully-Insured Plans Postponed
The IRS has postponed the date non-grandfathered fully-insured plans must comply with the non-discrimination rules in 105(h).
Currently, under the Affordable Care Act, the 105(h) rules are applicable to non-grandfathered fully-insured plans effective the first plan year on or after 9/23/10, and prohibit discrimination in favor of highly compensated individuals. (read more) |
| |
|
Health Care Reform: Q&A - OTC Drugs
Health care reform changes the rules for reimbursement of over-the-counter drugs through HSAs, HRAs, MSAs and FSAs. These questions and answers from the IRS clarify the new rules. (read more) |
| |
|
ACA Prohibition on the Retro Termination of Coverage
The recently passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) prohibits group health plans and health insurance issuers who offer group or individual coverage from canceling, or rescinding, coverage of an enrolled individual once the enrollee is covered except in the case of an act, practice, or omission that constitutes fraud or an intentional misrepresentation of material fact. (read more)
(back to top) |
| Wellness |
| |
|
LMC Wins Gold
The Wellness Council of America defines a "well workplace" as "an organization fully embracing its responsibility for maximizing the health and well-being of its employees. In a Well Workplace award winning organization, it is evident that employee wellness has become part of the overall business strategy. (read more) |
| |
|
Why Promote Wellness in the Workplace?
Rising healthcare benefit costs are a significant concern, and poor health habits and unnecessary medical care costs consume significant portions of our corporate resources as well as the employee paycheck. The worksite is an ideal setting for health promotion and disease prevention programs. (read more)
(back to top) |
|
Risk Management |
| |
New Grain Bin Safety Video
The National Corn Growers Association and the National Grain and Feed Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Grain and Feed Association, unveiled a joint video project to promote awareness about grain bin safety on the farm today. (read full article & watch the video) |
| |
|
Reminder: Post your OSHA 300 Log Summary
February 1st is the deadline for you to tabulate your annual OSHA Log Summary (OSHA Form 300A). For those industries required to maintain an OSHA 300 Log, February 1st marks the start of the posting period until April 30th. The Summary must list the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in calendar year 2010 and logged on your OSHA 300 Form. The Summary form is to be posted in a common employee area. Forms are available on OSHA's Web site at:
www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/RKforms.html
To assist you with recordkeeping compliance, ABIS provides all clients with access to an online OSHA 300 Log tool through our MyWave Risk Management Websites. If you have questions on using this tool please contact Tim Lefler, Risk Consultant in our office @ 515 237-0137 for assistance. Finally if you struggle with identifying which incidents are OSHA recordable please see our OSHA Recordability Flowchart for guidance.
(back to top)
|
|
