Articles, News and Information

Section 125: Advantages for the Employer AND Employee

Section 125 Cafeteria Plan A Section 125 cafeteria plan is an employee benefits program designed to take advantage of the pre-taxed savings through the Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. The cafeteria plan allows employees to pay certain qualified expenses, such as health insurance premiums, on a pretax basis, and therefore reducing their taxable income and…

CA Waiting Period Update & Federal Changes on the Horizon: August 20, 2014

August 15, 2014 California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law legislation SB 1034 to better align California’s health coverage waiting period requirements with federal law. The intent of the bill is to resolve confusion between California and Federal law and to better conform to the waiting period provisions of the Affordable Care Act. While the ACA…

“To Grandmother or Not to Grandmother…That is the Question!”

Now that SB 1446, “Grandmothering” bill has been signed, it allows small employers (50 or fewer employees) with non-grandfathered health insurance policies in effect as of December 31, 2013, the option to renew their existing coverage for one year, rather than be required to move to 2014 ACA compliant plans.   Did you know that…

Grandmothering Bill Signed (SB 1446): July 7, 2014

California Senate Bill 1446 (“SB 1446″) was signed by Governor Brown on July 7, 2014, to provide some small employers with non-grandfathered health insurance plans in effect as of December 31, 2013, the option to renew their existing coverage for one year, rather than be required to move to new ACA-compliant coverage by the end of 2014.   …

COBRA Notices Updated by DOL: May 2, 2014

Did you know that on May 2, 2014, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued updates to the Model General Notice and COBRA Election Notice?  Are you confident that you are providing the correct notices in a timely manner to your eligible employees and qualified beneficiaries? The Obama administration announced updates to model notices that employers…

Health Care Reform: The Individual Mandate

Under the Affordable Care Act, the individual mandate requires all citizens and legal residents of the United States to have “minimum essential coverage” insurance b y January 1, 2014.  People who do not have qualified health insurance or government health plan, like Medicare or Medicaid, must obtain health insurance or pay a penalty tax called…