New York, August 22, 2013 - Inc. magazine today ranked The Phia Group on its annual Inc. 500|5000; an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.  The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segement of the economy-America's independent entrepreneurs.  The Phia Group joins LivingSocial, Edible Arrangements, CDW and Lifelock, among other prominent brands featured on this year's list. 

By: Jon Jablon, Esq.

A couple of months back, we received an inquiry from a client TPA asking whether a group located outside the United States will be obligated to comply with the employer mandate (affectionately known as "pay or play," "play or pay," or sometimes even vaguely "the tax" or just "that penalty") and whether non-citizen employees working in the United States will be obligated to comply with the individual mandate (generally known only as the "individual mandate;" this term generally does not rise to the level of receiving disdainful nicknames because that penalty is more complicated than the individual mandate and noncompliance with that penalty is potentially more detrimental to our clients).

Continue Reading 

"People with chronic conditions generally use more health care services, including physician visits, hospital care, and prescription drugs.  Increases in the number of people living longer with chronic conditions coupled with rising health care expenditures have spurred health plans and employers to look for ways to reduce health care use and costs.  Disease management is one approach that aims to provide better care while reducing the costs of caring for the chronically ill by rewarding Participants for participating in select programs, such as by offering them a credit towards the following year's deductible.  Disease management programs are designed to improve the health of persons with specific chronic conditions and to reduce health care service use and costs associated with avoidable complications, such as emergency room visits and hospitalizations. ("Disease Management Programs: Improving Health While Reducing Costs?", Georgetown University Center on an Aging Society (2004))."

In this edition of The Phia Group's Quarterly Newsletter, I decided to highlight a problem that has been around for quite some time, but one that has recently seemed to rear its ugly head; Signed Subrogation Agreements!

This quarter, Naviana was named "Employee of the Quarter".   She received significant praise and nominations from across many departments at Phia.  Her trainees comment on how "She has been extremely supporting, always takes time to assist me with any problems.  She is a leader and very dedicated, I personally witnessed this during the last big project that was rolled out.   She took on the extra work, stepped right up and put in the long hours and never once faltered. She did this all while filling in for her manager by overseeing the investigation and customer service unit, also the case support unit. She always had a great attitude and I never felt that I couldn't approach her with a question or problem.  She is a leader I look up to and I'm happy to be a part of her team."

Managers from in and out of her own department rave "She is the ideal employee and co-worker, leading by example and always keeping her head high even when times are tough.  She doesn't just step up to the plate and produce, she hits Grand Slams and is a true All Star!" and "She is hard working, dedicated, patient, positive, knowledgeable, always willing to help, professional, etc. She is a huge asset to Phia!!"