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Drivers on the Phone (800,000 using cell phones right this minute)
Health Plan Summary-Update (Why March 23, 2012 is important)
COBRA (Premium subsidy expires)
Retirement Plan Fee-Update (disclosure rule is extended)
College Students-Coverage (are they covered while away at school?)
Healthiest State Program (Gov.Brandstadt announced this program)
Upcoming Webinar (Employee wellness can benefit the company)
OSHA at Your Door (How to be prepared for their visit)
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 800,000 Drivers Are Using Cell Phones Right This Minute - A Growing Problem
Some of these distracted drivers are employees engaged in business conversations while driving. If there's an at fault accident the employer could find their insurance might come in to play for liability judgments in addition to disability and workers compensation. For a copy of The Hartford's Distracted Driving information click here. To discuss further contact your LMC Account Executive.
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Health Plan Summary of Benefits and Coverage
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires health plan and health insurance issuers to begin providing a summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) no later than March 23, 2012. An SBC is a concise document providing simple and consistent information about health plan benefits and coverage. read more |
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COBRA Premium Subsidy Expires
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided a temporary subsidy for the cost of COBRA. While the subsidy has expired for most participants, the Department of Labor has issued the following Frequently Asked Question describing an exception to the expiration date. (read more)
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Update on Retirement Plan Fee Disclosure
As a follow up to our previous newsletter article: Fee Disclosure for Participants of Retirement Plans please note the Department of Labor announced an extenstion of the deadlines. To comply with new retirement plan fee disclosure regulations - for both the plan sponsor and participants the new effective date for the interim final plan sponsor disclosure rule is extended from Jan. 1, 2012, to April 1, 2012.
Also, for participants, initial disclosures must now be furnished no later than the later of: 60 days after the plan's anniversary date that occurs on or after Nov. 1, 2011, or 60 days after the effective date of the plan sponsor fee disclosure rule (April 1, 2012). In other words, the earliest plan sponsors would need to comply with the initial participant disclosure rules is May 31, 2012, and that date could be later depending on the plan anniversary date.
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Back to Class for College Students

It's that time of year. College students are packing their belongings and heading back to school. Have you determined if your son or daughter has adequate insurance coverage? (read more)
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Healthiest State in the Nation Program for Iowa
Governor Terry Branstad has announced an ambitious public-private program to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within the next five years. The initiative will focus on helping all Iowans to make comprehensive lifestyle changes at a grassroots level. (read more) |
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WEBINAR - Employee Health Impacts Employer Wealth
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
Presented by Susie Roberts, Health Management Services Account Executive
Combining Employee Wellness & Safety Strategies Improves Your Company's Bottom Line -- Join us to learn more about how the integration of good health and a safe work environment make good business sense for your people and your company.
| Title: | Employee Health Impacts Employer Wealth | | Date: | Thursday, October 27, 2011 | | Time: | 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT | |
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Preparing for an OSHA Visit
The best way to avoid paying fines for violating Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards is to always be prepared for an inspection. Since an OSHA officer has no obligation to inform an employer of the inspection ahead of time, the visit will usually be unannounced. However, companies in industries with particular hazards and companies who have previously experienced a death in the workplace are most vulnerable to an OSHA inspection. Planning for an assessment before it happens will make it go more smoothly, allow you to be in control and create a positive impression on the OSHA officer, all of which will result in fewer citations.
This link will take you to a guide we've created to assist our clients in preparing for an OSHA inspection. (back to top) |