Articles, News and Information
Pay or Play? Reasons Why “Pay” is NOT the Easy Answer
“Pay or Play” Employer Mandate and Penalties (brief summary) Under the “Shared Responsibility of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), beginning January 1, 2015 employers with 100 or more full-time equivalent (“FTE”) working 30 hours or more per week (including the hours of the part-time workers added together to equal full-time equivalent workers) will be…
The PACE Act and What it Means to California Employers: October 2015
President Obama has signed into law the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act. On September 28, 2015, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1624 through voice vote and on October 1, the Senate passed the legislation through unanimous consent. How Will PACE Act Affect the Affordable Care Act (ACA)? Small group is currently…
Reporting Requirements for Applicable Large Employers: Section 6055 and 6056
The Affordable Care Act added Section 6055 and 6056 which requires Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) to file returns with the IRS and provide statements to their full-time employees regarding the health insurance coverage offered by the employer. For calendar year 2015, ALE must file the Section 6055 and 6056 returns on or before February 29…
What is “Affordable” Coverage under Health Care Reform?
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the employer-provided coverage must be “Affordable,” so that Applicable Large Employers avoid penalties under the “Pay or Play” rules. Affordability will be determined by whether the coverage offered costs an employer more than 9.5% of their annual household income. Since there is no practical way for an…
Department of Labor Releases New FMLA Forms: May 2015
Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Department of Labor published new FMLA forms. The new forms are good through May 2018. Download the new forms: WH-380-E, Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee’s Serious Health Condition. WH-380-F, Certification of Health Care Provider for Family Member’s Serious Health Condition. WH-381, Notice of Eligibility and Rights & Responsibilities. WH-382, Designation Notice.…
What is the Difference between Federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA?
When an employer offers a group health insurance plan, such as medical, dental, or vision insurance, the employee and covered dependents (“Qualified Beneficiaries”) are provided an opportunity to continue their current plan at the individual/family’s expense when they have a qualifying event. Qualified events may include termination or reduction of hours of the covered employee’s…
