Alpha e-News Update

June 2015

         
The Alpha Group Agency
4200 Rockside Road, Suite 300
Independence, Ohio 44131
216-520-3300
Health Care Reform

Code Section 6055 & 6056: What Information Must be Reported?        

Read the below Legislative Briefs which explain in detail what information is required by the IRS under Code Section 6055 and Code 6056.

 

Legislative Brief: Code 6055

Legislative Brief: Code 6056 

 
Employee Benefits

HIPAA Special Enrollment Rights      

    

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires group health plans to provide special enrollment opportunities outside of their regular enrollment periods in certain situations. This Legislative Brief summarizes HIPAA's special enrollment events. It also discusses the interaction between HIPAA's special enrollment provisions and the cafeteria plan election change rules. View Article 

 

Know Your Benefits 

Medicare Supplement Plan    


This Know Your Benefits article describes Medicare supplement plans and when you should consider them. View Article

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

Live Well, Work Well 

live well work well   

Please download & print or email this month's LIVE WELL, WORK WELL Newsletter for your employees!  This month's issue includes the USDA's new food app, the benefits of sunlight, swimming as exercise, cataract awareness and an enchilada recipe.  

 

Download Live Well, Work Well - June Issue

Lasik Eye Surgery     

This Live Well, Work Well flyer discusses the benefits of Lasik, along with detailing the process and highlighting some realities of the procedure. View Article 

 

Human Resources

HR Brief: Human Resources Tips 

 

This month's HR Brief covers the importance of accurate job descriptions, the effect of female managers on employee engagement and EEOC proposed rule on the ADA and wellness programs. View Article 

Financial

Studying the Earnings Test  

  

The retirement earnings test reduces Social Security benefits for younger beneficiaries whose earnings exceed annual levels.  

View Article  

 

Quick Links 

 
e-News Update Archives

Alpha News Page 

 

Compliance Solutions 

 

Financial Learning Center 

 

 

On May 4, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2015-30 to announce the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) for calendar year 2016.

 

The following limits apply for 2016:

 

*The HSA contribution limit is $3,350 for self-only and $6,750 for family.

 

*The minimum deductible for high deductible health plans (HDHPs) is $1,300 for self-only and $2,600 for family.

 

*The maximum out-of-pocket for HDHPs is $6,550 for self-only and $13,100 for family.

 

View Article 

 
  Turkey, Corn &Sun Dried Tomato Wraps

   
Ingredients:
 

1 cup corn kernels, fresh (see Tip) or frozen (thawed)

1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato

1/4 cup chopped soft sun-dried tomatoes (see Shopping Tip)

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar or cider vinegar

8 thin slices low-sodium deli turkey (about 8 ounces)

4 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas

2 cups chopped romaine lettuce


Preparation:

 

Combine corn, tomato, sun-dried tomatoes, oil and vinegar in a medium bowl.

Divide turkey among tortillas. Top with equal portions of the corn salad and lettuce. Roll up. Serve the wraps cut in half, if desired.

 

 
Solutions

Summary Plan Description  

Now includes Premium Conversion Plan 

 

AlphaHR can help you stay in compliance with the required plan documentation for your benefit plans. Alpha clients are eligible for a discounted annual rate and the set-up fee is waived. Annual rate includes:

  • Separate Plan Document and Summary Plan Description (wrap document)
  • ERISA and Affordable Care Act Notices at no extra charge
  • Summary of Material Modification
  • Instructions on how to distribute information to employees
  • Email alerts regarding changes to ERISA or IRS requirements that could impact Wrap SPD and Plan Document compliance
  • Premium Conversion Plan <NEW!
  • Learn more

Sean Nehlsen of AlphaHR and his team are available to help with the creation of SPD's and total ERISA Compliance. AlphaHR is also available to our clients for questions, clarification and general help. 

2015 Labor Law Posters Now Available


AlphaHR in conjunction with The OSHA Compliance Store offers Alpha customers the opportunity to get compliant for less. The OSHA Compliance Store specializes in providing industry specific compliance products to businesses. Click here or icon below to shop.

 

 

 

Property & Casualty 

Alpha Property & Casualty

 

Alpha Property & Casualty's main office is located in Westlake Ohio, with agents available at both the Westlake and Independence locations. Alpha P&C offers solutions for Business Insurance as well as personal lines.  Get a quote

Here are the articles from Alpha P&Cs May issue:

  

 The 10 states with the highest homeowners insurance premiums 

 

Individual Insurance

Health Coverage Tax Exemption Tool    


Individuals who could not afford coverage or met other conditions may be eligible to receive an exemption for 2014. To help consumers who did not have insurance last year determine if they qualify for an exemption, CMS also launched a health coverage tax exemption tool on HealthCare.gov.


Individuals who do not qualify for an exemption and went without health coverage in 2014 will have to pay a fee of $95 per adult or 1 percent of their income, whichever is greater. The fee increases to $325 per adult or 2 percent of income for 2015.  


More Information: Please contact The Alpha Group for more information on Exchange enrollment periods and the individual mandate penalty.

 

 

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

 

 

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