Healthcare Cost Increases Outpacing Inflation, Despite Slowing Trend
The 32nd National Healthcare Trend Survey from Xerox HR Services reveals that while increases in healthcare costs are slowing, they continue to outpace inflation by a wide margin.
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DOL Investigation Nets Big Back Pay For Healthcare Workers
All the Changes in Employment Law You Need to Know at One Time … in One Beautiful Place
BLR announces its first annual Employment Law Update conference … all you need to know about changes in the law this year … in one beautiful setting—Walt Disney World. Who says you can’t keep up with the latest in employment law changes and enjoy it at the same time? Certainly not BLR. And we intend […]
Appeals Courts Issue Opposite Rulings on Health Care Reform Subsidies
Two appeals court rulings with differing views on the availability of premium subsidies for policies purchased through state-based health insurance exchanges establish a circuit split that sets the stage for the U.S. Supreme Court to step in. One court ruled that federal subsidies should be available only in states that run their own exchanges; another […]
News Notes: Federal Discrimation Laws Don’t Cover Sexual Orientation
Medina Rene, a butler at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, filed a lawsuit claiming that because of his sexual orientation he endured daily harassment by his male co-workers and supervisor. But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals threw out his case, reaffirming a 1979 ruling that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation […]
Supreme Court Looks at When Ordinary Language Is Evidence of Bias
The U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on a case that underscores the importance of providing comprehensive antibias and harassment training for managers and supervisors.
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March 31 Deadline for Medicare Creditable Coverage Disclosure
Employers or group health plans that offer prescription drug coverage to active employees and retirees who are eligible for Medicare must disclose to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) whether the coverage is “creditable prescription drug coverage.” Generally, prescription drug coverage is considered creditable only if its value meets or exceeds the value […]
Rule on Reform’s Reinsurance Fee Clarifies Payments for Health Plans
Employer-sponsored plans that are secondary to Medicare are not subject to health reform’s expensive transitional reinsurance fee, nor are health flexible spending arrangements, health savings accounts and most health reimbursement arrangements. On March 11, 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published its final regulation on the transitional reinsurance fee, which takes effect […]
DOL Tip Pool Regs Can Stand, Split Appellate Court Says
By Kate McGovern Tornone, Editor The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) limits on tip pools are valid, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—which covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington—reaffirmed September 6, denying a request for it to reconsider its opinion on the issue.