The telltale signs of autumn have arrived for many in the U.S. The temperature is cooler, the leaves are changing color -- and the sounds of sneezes and coughs echoing through the office hallways may not be far behind. The fall ...Read More »

GUIDANCE ISSUED ON ACA'S SUMMARY OF BENEFITS AND COVERAGE The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires each employer group health plan to provide a 4-page summary of its benefits to all individuals who are eligible for coverage.  This requirement takes effect on ...Read More »

As we reported in our May 2011 article, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has replaced Schedule SSA to the Form 5500 with a new Form 8955-SSA (“Annual Registration Statement Identifying Separated Participants with Deferred Vested Benefits”), beginning with the 2009 ...Read More »

As explained in our August 2010 article, the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) requires group health plans (other than plans that are “grandfathered” under the rules described in our June 2010 article) to cover a list of preventive health services. Earlier ...Read More »

2011 has been a big year for grandfathered and non-grandfathered group health plans alike. A number of significant changes mandated by the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) took effect for both types of plans. Now, 2014 looms as the next big ...Read More »

A long-awaited ruling issued by the United States Supreme Court this spring gives employers both reason to celebrate and cause for concern. The Court’s decision in CIGNA Corp. v. Amara (May 16, 2011) reaffirms that courts will not enforce benefit ...Read More »

A cornerstone of last year’s Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) was the establishment of state-based “American Health Benefit Exchanges.” These Exchanges are to serve as health insurance clearinghouses, allowing health care consumers to connect with insurers. Each Exchange must also maintain ...Read More »

[col_14] FEE DISCLOSURES The Department of Labor (DOL) has given employers an extra month to disclose 401(k) fees and expenses to plan participants. While the effective date of the disclosure rules for calendar year plans remains Jan. 1, 2012, plan sponsors will ...Read More »

Despite the sagging job market and slow economic recovery, employers are seeing some of their best people head for greener -- or at least different -- pastures. A new study by Right Management indicates that three-quarters of polled employers say they've ...Read More »

Employers Can Save When Pill Patents Pop Many of today's headlines on U.S. health care paint a pretty gloomy picture for consumers and employers. Skyrocketing medical costs, high obesity rates and new compliance hurdles are some of the most common depressants. Luckily, ...Read More »