Category: Uncategorized
HOUSE AND SENATE PASS TAX REFORM BILL
BY CONNER INSURANCE On Dec. 20, 2017, the tax reform bill, called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is now expected to be signed into law by President Trump shortly. This tax reform bill, drafted based on a tax reform plan […]
TOP 10 WAYS TO CONTROL YOUR MOD
BY CONNER INSURANCE Your experience modification factor, or mod, is an important component used in calculating your workers’ compensation premium. If you can control your mod, you can lower your price — so we’ve gathered top tips to help you impact your bottom line. Investigate accidents immediately and thoroughly; take corrective action to eliminate […]
WHAT HAPPENS IF AN EMPLOYEE MISSES OPEN ENROLLMENT?
BY CONNER INSURANCE Open enrollment can be an extremely stressful and overwhelming time for both you and your employees. It is typically the only time during the year in which employees can make changes to their benefits choices, such as adding or dropping coverage, adding or dropping dependents, or enrolling in benefits for the […]
DOL DELAYS NEW RULES FOR DISABILITY CLAIMS
BY CONNER INSURANCE OVERVIEW On Dec. 16, 2016, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a final rule to strengthen the claims and appeals requirements for plans that provide disability benefits and are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The final rule was scheduled to apply to claims that are filed on […]
IRS prepares to issue ACA employer responsibility penalties
BY STEPHANIE GRANT, NORBERT KUGELE, AND KENT SPARKS At long last, it looks as though the IRS is finally gearing up to assess Affordable Care Act penalties based on 2015 employer responsibility reporting (1094-C and 1095-C forms). If your organization receives an assessment notice, you’ll want to scrutinize it carefully, as there may be […]
UPDATE: CVS buying Aetna for $67B, shaking up health care industry
BY BLOOMBERG NEWS CVS Health Corp. plans to buy Aetna Inc. for about $67.5 billion, creating a health-care giant that will have a hand in everything from insurance to the corner drugstore. CVS will pay $207 a share for Aetna, with $145 a share in cash and the rest in stock, the companies said […]
Simple workplaces drive employee retention and productivity
BY BLOOMBERG NEWS Oftentimes less is more — including in the workplace, according to Siegel+Gale’s study, “Simplicity at work.” “Simpler workplaces — those where employees easily get their work done and feel productive and fulfilled doing so — engender more advocacy, innovation and retention,” the brand strategy firm writes in its report. However, 30 […]
IRS REVERSES POLICY ON CERTIFYING INDIVIDUAL MANDATE COMPLIANCE
BY CONNER INSURANCE OVERVIEW On Oct. 13, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reversed a recent policy change in how it monitors compliance with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate. For the upcoming 2018 filing season (filing 2017 tax returns): The IRS will not accept electronically filed tax returns where the taxpayer does not certify […]
WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES ACA SUBSIDIES WILL END
BY CONNER INSURANCE OVERVIEW On Oct. 12, 2017, the White House announced that it will no longer reimburse insurers for cost-sharing reductions made available to low-income individuals through the Exchanges under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), effective immediately. Because Congress did not pass an appropriation for this expense, the Trump administration has taken the position that […]
Few employees ‘unplugging’ on vacation
BY KATIE KUEHNER-HEBERT Vacation is supposed to be about leaving the cares of office behind so that one can replenish one’s spirit – but millions of Americans just can’t stop from staying plugged in, according to Project: Time Off’s report, The Tethered Vacation. “Technology has permanently changed the American workplace — and there is no turning back,” the […]
