Alpha e-News Update

January 2015

    

The Alpha Group Agency
4200 Rockside Road, Suite 300
Independence, Ohio 44131
216-520-3300
Employee Benefits

ACA Affordability Percentages Increase for 2016

  

On Nov. 21, 2014, the IRS released affordability contribution percentages for 2016. Affordability contribution percentages measure a plan's affordability and apply to three provisions under the ACA: the employer-shared responsibility penalty, the individual mandate and the premium tax credit.

 

These updated affordability percentages are effective for taxable years and plan years beginning after Dec. 31, 2015:

  • The new affordability percentage for the individual mandate is 8.13 percent for 2016.
  • The affordability percentage for the employer mandate and the premium tax credit eligibility rules is 9.66 percent for 2016.
  • Employers that use an affordability safe harbor under the pay or play rules will continue using a contribution percentage of 9.5 percent.

For 2015 plan years, the individual mandate affordability percentage is 8.05 percent, and it is generally 9.56 percent for the employer mandate and premium tax credit eligibility.

Know Your Benefits 

Understanding Your W-2 Form


This Know Your Benefits flyer offers a comprehensive explanation of W-2 forms, including the meaning of every box and notes on any included numbers or symbols. View Article

Download our KNOW YOUR BENEFITS handouts for employee distribution or include the link on your benefits webiste
  
Wellness Trends

2014 Wellness Benefits Survey Results 

   

The results of this year's Wellness Benefits Survey will help you get a feel for how employers across the country are using wellness programs and what they are experiencing as a result.

 

The purpose of this survey was to discover the current trends in wellness programs and gauge future employer needs as more companies include wellness benefits in their overall health plans.

 

2014 Wellness Benefits Survey Results

 

For more information on customizing a wellness program for your employees, please contact Alpha's Wellness Coordinator, Carla Ivka

Live Well, Work Well 

live well work well   

Please download and print or email this month's LIVE WELL, WORK WELL Newsletter for your employees!  This issue offers strategies to tackle personal goals in 2015, as well as information on avoiding crowds at the gym and counting calories while dining out.

  • Goal Setting in 2015
  • National Blood Donor Month
  • Battling January Gym Crowds
  • Calories Outside the Kitchen
  • Hoppin' John (recipe)

 

Download Live Well, Work Well - January Issue

Human Resources

DOL Audit Warning Signs 


The DOL may investigate whether an employee benefit plan complies with ERISA's protections for plan participants.  This educational article discusses common DOL audit triggers.

View Article

 

HR Brief: Human Resources Tips 


This month's HR Brief gives an overview of marijuana in the workplace, options after FMLA is exhausted and the U.S. Supreme Court case addressing pregnancy accommodations.

 

View HR Brief January Issue

 

Financial

Protecting Your Dependents with Life Insurance - Video 


 

Click image above or here: VIDEO LINK

 

 

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The Affordable Care Act's (ACA) prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions (PCEs) for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, makes HIPAA certificates of Creditable Coverage unnecessary. Beginning Dec. 31, 2014, group health plans and issuers are not required to provide HIPAA Certificates for 2015 and following years.

 

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), plans and issuers had to provide HIPAA Certificates to individuals when they lost coverage under the plan or upon request for 24 months after coverage was terminated. The HIPAA Certificate allowed individuals to establish prior creditable coverage in order to reduce or eliminate PCEs. 

 

 
 Vegan Morning Glory Muffins
  
These are the ultimate healthy breakfast muffin: delicious and fragrant and full of raisins, apples, carrots, and fresh date paste as a healthy sweetener. If you like a slightly sweeter muffin, add some sugar to the recipe (as instructed).
 

INGREDIENTS:

 

1 1/2 tablespoon flax meal

1/4 cup warm water

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour or whole-wheat pastry flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1 tablespoon grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ginger, ground)

1 cup date paste (https://food52.com/recipes/32650-date-paste)

1/2 cup organic sugar

1 cup soy or almond milk

6 tablespoons canola oil

1 1/2 cup grated carrot

1 small apple, grated

 

PREPARATION:

 

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Line 12 muffin tins with liners, or oil them lightly.

 

Mix the flax meal and warm water together; set the mixture aside to let it "gel."

 

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the raisins, walnuts, and ginger.

 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the date paste, sugar if desired, non-dairy milk, and oil. Stir in the flax mixture.

 

Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones until everything is well incorporated, and then fold in the carrot and apple.

 

Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffins comes out clean. Allow them to cool before enjoying.

 

 

 

Solutions

HRA Guidance for Employees


This HRA Guide explains what health reimbursement arrangements are and how they work, discusses why they are a good choice and provides several HRA case studies..

 

Educate employees on what is eligible for reimbursement under the HRA. May need to be customized based on plan design. List is not all-inclusive. Click here to view HRA materials.

 

  • HRA Employee Guide
  • HRA Eligible Expenses
  • HRA Ineligible Expenses

 

Steve Orlando is Alpha's on-site HRA expert!  If you or your employees have additional questions about HRA's or any consumer-driven health product, Steve can help.

Individual Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange)

 

Health Insurance Marketplaces (also known as Exchanges) provide an alternative market for buying health insurance. The Marketplaces offer a choice of private health insurance plans, determine whether individuals qualify for lower costs based on their household sizes and incomes, and share information about eligibility for public insurance programs, such as Medicaid.

 

Alpha can provide you with a quote, review plan options, calculate subsidy dollars and assist with the enrollment process.

 

Request a Quote

 

Shop for Rates/Plans on my own

 

More information on Individual Insurance

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