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Alpha e-News Update
January 2016
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The Alpha Group Agency
4200 Rockside Road, Suite 300
Independence, Ohio 44131
216-520-3300 |
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ACA Section 6055 and 6056 Reporting Deadlines Delayed  On Dec. 28, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2016-4 to delay the due dates for filing and furnishing forms under Section 6055 and 6056.- The due date for furnishing forms to individuals has been extended from Feb. 1, 2016, to March 31, 2016.
- The due date for filing forms with the IRS has been extended from Feb. 29, 2016, to May 31, 2016 (or, from March 31, 2016, to June 30, 2016, if filing electronically).
View ACA Compliance Bulletin
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2016 Federal Budget Delays ACA's Cadillac Tax & Suspends Two Other TaxesOn Dec. 18, 2015, President Obama signed a federal budget bill for 2016 into law, which makes significant changes to three ACA taxes. The new law delays the Cadillac tax for two years, and temporarily suspends collection of the health insurance providers fee and the medical devices tax. This Health Care Reform Bulletin describes how this new law impacts the ACA. View Article
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IRS Addresses ACA Rules for Employer-provided Health Coverage  The notice covers the ACA's market reforms as well as the employer shared responsibility rules and related reporting requirements. This Health Care Reform Bulletin provides an overview of key provisions in the notice. View Article
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IRS Provides Tax Guidance on Same-Sex Marriage Issues
Changing a health plan's eligibility rules to include same-sex spouses qualifies as a significant improvement in coverage, which may allow employees to make election changes during a plan year. 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 of Live Well, Work Well includes information about the benefits of coffee, sugar substitutes, New Year's resolutions, and a 30-Minute chili recipe.
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 HR Brief: Human Resources Tips
This month's HR Brief gives an overview of which employers are subject to ACA information reporting, suggests end-of-year employee communications and provides an update on the finalization of the DOL's proposed changes to the FLSA overtime rules. View HR Brief |
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Student Debt?
These Programs Could Spell Relief
More student loan borrowers are expected to gain access to new federal programs designed to reduce monthly payments. View Article
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On Nov. 18, 2015, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human
Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) published final regulations
regarding a number of the ACA's market reform requirements. These final
regulations address:
**Grandfathered plans
**Pre-existing condition
exclusions
**Lifetime and annual dollar limits on benefits **Rescissions
**Dependent coverage up to age 26
**Internal and external appeals
**Patient protections
The final rules are effective Jan. 1, 2017.
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30-Minute Chili
This recipe is quick, easy, inexpensive, healthy and delicious - especially on cold winter nights.
Ingredients:
1 lb. group beef 1 onion, chopped 2 cups light red kidney beans, cooked 1 can tomato soup (no water added) 1 Tbsp. chili powder, or to taste 10 drops hot pepper sauce or to taste Preparation: In a large skillet, cook the meat for about 10 to 15 minutes or until brown. Drain the meat, add the onion, and cook for five minutes. Add the kidney beans, soup and chili powder and heat for five minutes or until hot. If using hot pepper sauce, add the sauce then, too. Serve alone or on top of whole wheat pasta or rice.
Makes: 6 servings
Nutrition: Per serving: Each serving provides 310 calories, 10 g of fat, 4 g of saturated fat, 350 mg of sodium, 28 g of protein and 5 g of fiber.
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Know Your Benefits - Affordable Care Act and You
This Know Your Insurance article provides an overview of how the Affordable Care Act affects you, as well as whether it affects your taxes. View Article
Affordable Care Act and Taxes
View ArticleIndividual 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? 
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:Animal-vehicle collisions are most common between October and December when animals are migrating to other habitats for the winter. Pay special attention on the roadways during these autumn and winter months.
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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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