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Insurance

Family health premiums up just 4% this year

09/17/2013
Annual premiums for employer-provided family health coverage rose a relatively modest 4% this year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Family premiums averaged $16,351, with employees paying $4,565 toward the cost of their coverage.

Unemployment: Failing to report income is fraud

09/16/2013
Former employees who collect unemployment benefits while working part-time jobs must report that income.

Employers Face Oct. 1 Deadline to Explain Health Insurance Options (7 Tips to Spread the Word)

09/13/2013

This year, the traditional open enrollment season for health benefits coincides with the rollout of massive changes driven by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law requires employers to inform employees about their coverage options by Oct. 1. Here are seven tips on how to improve your benefits communication during this open enrollment season …

Wellness incentives: Offer some carrots with those sticks

09/13/2013
More than three-fourths of large employers are moving to penalties and/or rewards to help improve employee health, says a recent Midwest Business Group on Health survey. Some companies will offer penalties but no incentives. That could be a mistake. Experts say that incentives alone or combined with penalties work best.

Let’s Go SHOPping

09/13/2013
The one-year delay in the employer play-or-pay provisions of the Affordable Care Act health care reform law has no impact on the individual health insurance exchanges and the health exchanges for small employers, called SHOPs, which open for business this month.

Business can’t dodge ACA on religious grounds

09/11/2013
A panel of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has tossed out one of the first lawsuits objecting to parts of the Affordable Care Act, ruling that a corporation can’t object to the law on moral grounds.

IRS extends tax-free benefits to all same-sex married couples

09/10/2013
New IRS guidance affirms: Same-sex married employees are entitled to all federal spousal tax benefits, even if they live in a state that doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage.

Do you qualify for ACA’s small business tax credits?

09/06/2013
Starting in 2014, small businesses can earn a significant tax break if they provide health insurance benefits to their employees. To qualify, a small business must meet three criteria:

UPS to drop spouse health insurance, blames ACA

09/05/2013
UPS will stop offering health insurance to many employees’ spouses next year, a move the company said was prompted by fears that the Affordable Care Act won’t be affordable after all.

4 tips for talking to employees about rising health benefits costs

09/04/2013
If employees will have to bear a larger share of health benefits in your next plan year—whether in higher premiums, deductibles or copays—you can expect to get an earful during your upcoming open enrollment period. Here are four ways to prepare employees for changes and—perhaps—soften the sting: