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Alpha e-News Update
November 2015
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The Alpha Group Agency
4200 Rockside Road, Suite 300
Independence, Ohio 44131
216-520-3300 |
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ACA Small Group (51-99) Market Rule Repealed
 On Oct. 7, 2015, the President Obama signed the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act into law. The PACE Act eliminates the ACA's new definition of "small employer" and, instead, gives states the choice of whether to expand their small group markets to include businesses with up to 100 employees. This Health Care Reform Bulletin provides an overview of the impact of repealing the ACA's small group market expansion. View Article |
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ERISA Plans - Determining Plan Name, Plan Number and Plan Year
Employee welfare benefit plans (such as group health plans) are required to have their own identifying information, including a plan name, plan number and plan year. This information must be included on the plan's Form 5500 (if applicable) and in the plan's summary plan description (SPD). This Legislative Brief provides tips on how employers can determine the plan name, plan number and plan year for their employee benefit plans. View Article |
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Health Coverage Options for Young Adults
Use this piece to inform young employees of the various health coverage options available to them. View Article
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Prescription Drug Trends 
This article examines prescription drug trends and what employers can do to help reduce their health care expenditures. View Article
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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 information on the flu vaccine, tips to reduce food waste, how to pack a healthy work lunch and a vegetable chili recipe.
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Caitlin Burch, LMT
Caitlin Burch has worked with The Alpha Group Agency since 2008 in a support role for our Account Managers and New Case Implementation Team. For the past couple years Caitlin has been going to school to receive her certification as a Licensed Massage Therapist, which she completed in March 2015! Caitlin continues to work in a part-time capacity in our benefits department, but we are happy to have Caitlin join our Wellness team as a LMT! You'll see Caitlin at various Alpha events and you can book her in conjunction with your Alpha Wellness Program/Campaign. Contact Jessica Jasinski or Carla Ivka Alpha's Wellness Coordinators for details!
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HR Brief: Human Resources Tips
This month's HR Brief gives an overview on steps you can take to prevent workplace violence, discusses the ADA after 25 years and highlights a recent survey that indicates even happy employees may be looking for new employment opportunities. View HR Brief
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Coverage You Can Keep
Differences between term and permanent life insurance and how consumers should consider what coverage they need.
In a 2015 study, 43% of Americans said they would feel a financial impact within six months if the primary wage earner died. Perhaps reflecting this concern, three out of 10 acknowledged that they needed more life insurance coverage. View Article
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Telemedicine programs are gaining popularity in the health care industry-however, the financial advantages are still unknown and the surrounding regulations have not been clarified.
Telemedicine is a form of technology-based communication that allows doctors and patients to communicate without being in the same physical space. Many health care providers are implementing telemedicine programs in an effort to save time and resources, as well as to make obtaining health care more convenient for patients who face barriers such as not having access to transportation.
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Vegetable Chili
This one-pot vegetarian chili is rich in healthy vegetables and protein.
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 yellow onions, chopped
2 zucchini, cubed
2 sweet potatoes, cubed
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. dried oregano
3 16 oz. cans kidney beans
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
2 cups frozen corn, thawed
Add oil to pot over medium heat.
Add onions, zucchini, sweet potatoes, garlic and spices and cook for 20 minutes.
Add kidney beans and tomatoes. Cook, covered, for 30 minutes.
Add corn and cook until warmed.
Serve right away or transfer to a container once cooled. Can be refrigerated up to five days.
Yield: 5 servings. Each serving provides 427 calories, 8 g of fat, 1g of saturated fat, 480 mg of sodium, 20 g of protein and 21 g of fiber.
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Lt. Governor Taylor Urges Ohioans to Utilize Free Missing Life insurance Policy Search Service
COLUMBUS - Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor wants Ohioans to know that the Ohio Department of Insurance provides a free search service that can help locate missing life insurance policies or annuity contracts left behind by loved ones that have passed away. View Article
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Know Where to Go - Choosing the Right Health Care Provider Video
This Know Your Benefits video provides guidelines on when employees should head to their doctor's office, visit urgent care or take a trip to the emergency room. Watch VideoIndividual Open Enrollment starts
November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016
Individuals can shop the market directly from Alpha's website. We'll show you all the available plans and rates plus link you to provider directories, plan details and calculate potential subsidy. When you decide on your plan, simply click to apply.
Alpha's Individual Account Managers can assist with questions and help you apply. Visit www.thealphaga.com and click INDIVIDUAL EXCHANGE on the bottom center of the page.
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Do-It-Yourself 1095 Form Generator
How will you produce the required Forms 1094-C and 1095-C this January? 
Alpha has a solution.
Alpha can provide you access to DIY1095, a web-based, user-friendly tool that helps you manage the forms-generation process. An automated template for HR/Benefits professionals to generate compliant, accurate Forms 1094-C and 1095-C (or 1094-B and 1095-B for small employers).
A value-added benefit free of charge for all Alpha clients.
Reduce errors and use your time to focus on other things. Sign up is easy, just complete and submit this Employer Access Request Form. A Welcome email will tell you what's next! Need to know more?
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Summary Plan Description
Including 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.
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Alpha Property & Casualty
Alpha Property & Casualty has offices in Westlake & Independence, with agents available at both locations. Alpha P&C offers solutions for Business Insurance as well as personal lines. Get a quoteThis month's featured article:
Driver Safety: Distractions
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Alpha Benefits, Inc. / Alpha Financial Services, Inc. / Alpha Property & Casualty, Inc. / AlphaHR, LLC.
Stability in an ever-changing environment.
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