Risk Management & Insurance news for the well-informed business leader
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October 2014
in this issue
:: Transitional Reinsurance Contribution Form Available Oct. 24
:: Draft Instructions for Employer Reporting of Health Coverage Released
:: Time is Running Short for Large Self-Funded Employers to Obtain a HIPAA HPID Number
:: Final Rules Amending Definition of Excepted Benefits
:: PCORI Fee Increase
:: 30 Ebola Facts That Will Make You Cringe, Plus 7 Ways to Manage the Risk
:: New OSHA Reporting Requirements Are On The Horizon: Are You Ready?
:: Terminations and Workplace Violence - Risks and Best Practice Tips for Employers
:: Preventing Danger at the Loading Dock
:: Economics of Risk
ON THE FAST TRACK
EPIC is rapidly becoming one of the largest retail insurance brokers in the U.S.

 

EPIC and The McCart Group are featured in the September issue of Risk and Insurance Magazine.  

Full Article


Employer Services
Group Benefits Consulting
Payroll & Benefits Administration
Health Management & Wellness
Compliance / Health Reform

Transitional Reinsurance Contribution Form Available Oct. 24

The first submission of membership numbers to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for purposes of the transitional reinsurance contributions is due by November 15th of this year. Employers who sponsor self-funded health plans must report membership and schedule the first payment via a form on www.pay.gov.
- Issue Brief, October 2014  

As additional details and requirements of the ACA emerge, The McCart Group will update you on provisions and deadlines that affect employers and employer-sponsored group health plans.  
Draft Instructions for Employer Reporting of Health Coverage Released
 
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created new reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. Under these new reporting rules, certain employers must provide information to the IRS about the health plan coverage they offer (or do not offer) to their employees. On August 28, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released draft instructions for the forms that employers will use to report under Code Sections 6055 and 6056.
- EPIC
Time is Running Short for Large Self-Funded Employers to Obtain a HIPAA HPID Number
 
Employers who sponsor large health plans must obtain at least one Health Plan ID Number (HPID) by November 5, 2014. A large self-funded employer health plan is generally defined as a plan that had more than $5 million in claims paid during the previous plan year.
- Compliance Alert, October 2014
Final Rules Amending Definition of Excepted Benefits
The Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and HHS (the Departments) have released final rules that amend regulations regarding the definition of "excepted benefits."
- Compliance Alert, October 2014  
PCORI Fee Increase

In Notice 2014-56, the IRS provided the amount for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCORI) fees for plan years ending after September 30, 2014 and before October 1, 2015. The fee for such plan years is $2.08 (up from $2) multiplied by the average covered lives for the plan year. 
- Compliance Alert, September 2014   
Employer Services
Have Questions?


Our Benefits and Payroll professionals at The McCart Group can provide you with additional information on any of the topics covered under the Employer Services section of the newsletter. 

  

We use an integrated approach to design and implement employee benefit plans, payroll & benefit administration services, technology- based HR information systems, and health management and wellness programs. 

  

For more information, call 770-232-0202 or visit www.mccart.com today!

 


Risk Management & Insurance
Property & Casualty Insurance
Risk Management Consulting 
Claims Management 
Risk Control & Safety

30 Ebola Facts That Will Make You Cringe, Plus 7 Ways to Manage the Risk   

  

What do you know about Ebola? You probably are aware that it's a nasty, often fatal form of a viral hemorrhagic fever...but here's a list of what you may not know, including how the Ebola virus impacts economies and supply chains, insurance issues including evacuation, exposures and policy exclusions, and what you and your companies can do to prevent and control Ebola risk.
-  Property Casualty 360
Read more...
New OSHA Reporting Requirements Are On The Horizon: Are You Ready?    

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a Final Rule on September 11, 2014, to be effective January 1, 2015, that includes several revisions to its injury reporting requirements.   
- Chubb Insurance  
Terminations and Workplace Violence - Risks and Best Practice Tips for Employers

Authorities report a recently terminated UPS employee entered the UPS facility in his uniform, although he had been terminated the Friday before. Police said he specifically targeted and fatally shot two coworkers before taking his own life. Police believe the gunman acted alone. 
- Chubb Insurance
Preventing Danger at the Loading Dock

Picture a typical shift on a loading dock. Semi-trucks - often dozens of them - come and go, material handling equipment moves product across the floor, and employees work in and around the dock. It's a busy - and in some cases dangerous - place to work.
Unfortunately, injuries and fatalities can and do happen on loading docks every year.  
 
- EHS Today
Economics of Risk

To understand risk, both the probability and severity of the potential hazard loss must be understood.  There are many options to control risk, but their potential costs and benefits vary widely.  Considering risk-cost tradeoffs allows one to understand which risk control options make the most sense. 

For example, to estimate the potential benefit of installing a detection system, you need to assess the probability that a loss would have occurred if you had not installed the system.
 
- The McCart Group Risk Control & Safety
Risk Management & Insurance
Have Questions?
 
Our P&C and Risk Management professionals at The McCart Group can provide you with additional information on any of the topics covered under the Risk Management and Insurance section of the newsletter. 

 

Addressing the complex risk management issues and property & casualty insurance needs of public and private companies, our services include property & casualty insurance program analysis and design, merger & acquisition due diligence, workers' compensation programs, risk control, safety, and claim management. 

 

For more information, call 770-232-0202 or visit
 
Compliance Matters

Self-funded Employers Must Report Membership by Nov. 17th for Purposes of Making ACA Reinsurance Payments 

Employers who sponsor self-funded health plans must report their average membership numbers to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) no later than Nov. 17th.  The reported membership will be used to calculate the amount due for 2014 contributions to the  transitional reinsurance program.
- Issue Brief, October 2014  
Health Matters

Health and Wellness
Good health, an active lifestyle, and general well-being are important to
The McCart Group!  Look here each month for links to the latest health and wellness news and information.
 

2014 National Health Observances

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

 
Introducing Wellness Consultant Ayana Collins!

On September 22nd, Wellness Consultant Ayana Collins joined our Employer Services team!  Ayana is a dedicated health and wellness professional with over 10 years of proven success in designing, implementing and managing wellness programs of all sizes.  Ayana is a subject matter expert and is a contributor, public speaker and author on a variety of fitness, disease prevention and heath awareness topics.  Topics include stress management, chronic disease management, and weight management.

Ayana advises large and small organizations on wellness program management specific to clients' needs. She provides guidance with regard to best practices for program design, implementation and evaluation.  She also serves as a liaison between third-party wellness vendor and clients, and as a health and wellness resource.
 
Ayana holds a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Georgia State University, a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology & Health Service Research from Wake Forest University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina A&T State University.  

Ayana is a great addition to the EPIC team! 
 


5th Annual Transportation Litigation Seminar Provides  

Realistic Scenarios to Educate Attendees   

Over 120 people attended the transportation litigation seminar on Thursday, September 25th at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel.

"The Commercial Motor Vehicle Collision: How to Protect Your Company" was sponsored by The McCart Group/EPIC; Georgia Motor Trucking Association; CSI Litigation Psychology; Custard Insurance Adjusters; Ferguson Frost & Dodson, and Freeman, Mathis & Gary.

This seminar is designed to educate attendees about how to protect a commercial motor vehicle operation.  The McCart Group's VP of Transportation & Logistics Risk Control, Michael Nischan, opened the program by presenting the risk management and compliance perspective. 

A mock crash demonstration followed with information presented about Crash Data Retrieval, Electronic Computer Module download, mapping, and roadway evidence.  Following the demonstration, several attorneys presented the legal aspects of defense (preparation, depositions, and testifying).

Year after year, this event is proven to be a tremendously valuable educational forum for businesses with a Commercial Motor Vehicle fleet.  This is the only seminar of its kind in the southeast, and Michael Nischan is one of the three founders of this event.


Please contact Michael for more information about this event or about The McCart Group's Transportation and Logistics Risk Control solutions:

Michael Nischan, CDS, CCSP 
VP, Transportation & Logistics Risk Control | NATMI Instructor 
linkedin.com/in/michaelnischan 
michael.nischan@mccart.com 
678.938.2012 cell, 678.475.5720 office 
 

  

Since 1971, The McCart Group has been solving complex risk management, insurance, benefits, and payroll / administrative support problems for public and private companies.  
For more information, visit www.mccart.com.
 
WHAT DID YOU SAY?  
Our clients make it a point to tell us what a great team we have at The McCart Group and EPIC.


"You have clearly assembled a fantastic team." 
COO, Applerouth Tutoring

 

"You have a great team at McCart, and I always look forward to working with you."

Safety Specialist, Applied Technical Services    

 

"You are always prompt, thorough, and precise ... this is rare and much appreciated in today's world."

Executive Director, Faith Farm Ministries  

  

About The McCart Group and EPIC:

The McCart Group, an EPIC company, was founded in 1971 and has successfully expanded to become a leading property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting services firm. 

In 2014, The McCart Group merged its operations with EPIC (Edgewood Partners Insurance Center) and is now EPIC's platform for a strong regional hub in the Southeast. EPIC has more than 600 team members operating across the country in key cities in the West, Southeast, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest. With approximately $160 million in revenue, EPIC is ranked among the Top 20 retail insurance brokers in the U.S.

With over 100 professionals in Atlanta with many years of experience in their specific area of expertise, The McCart Group provides a one-touch resource for clients, ensuring superior, comprehensive services. We have created a values-based, client-focused culture that sustains a high level of customer service excellence.


 
The McCart Group 
2405 Satellite Blvd.
Suite 200
Duluth, GA  30096
770-232-0202 

This newsletter is a periodical publication of The McCart Group and should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information purposes only, and you are urged to consult a lawyer or other professional advisor concerning your own situation and any specific facts and circumstances that apply. 
The McCart Group keeps its contact database strictly confidential.