The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued an employer because the penalty it applied for not participating in its wellness program was, in the eyes of the EEOC, so high that participation was not, as a practical matter, “voluntary.” Under EEOC rules, an employer may conduct medical examinations, which includes obtaining medical histories and blood draws, only in limited situations. One of those permitted situations is a voluntary wellness program. Because the program did not qualify as “voluntary,” the questions employees were asked about their health on a health risk assessment, a blood draw, and a range of motion assessment violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to the EEOC’s Complaint.
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Topics:
employee engagement,
wellness,
ancillary benefits,
health care costs,
ACA,
disability management,
voluntary benefits,
employee satisfaction,
UBA Partner Firm,
employee benefits,
hr consulting,
health care reform,
health care,
wellness programs,
absence management,
absenteeism,
disability insurance,
health risk assessment,
PPACA Affordable Care Act,
employee health,
insurance solutions,
medical plan,
self funded health plans,
HRA
By Peter Freska, CEBS, Advisor
The LBL Group
A United Benefit Advisors Partner Firm
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Topics:
employee engagement,
wellness,
ancillary benefits,
health care costs,
ACA,
disability management,
voluntary benefits,
employee satisfaction,
UBA Partner Firm,
employee benefits,
hr consulting,
health care reform,
health care,
wellness programs,
absence management,
absenteeism,
disability insurance,
health risk assessment,
employee health,
insurance solutions,
medical plan,
self funded health plans,
HRA
By Stephen Coffman, Group Practice Leader
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
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Topics:
employee engagement,
wellness,
ancillary benefits,
health care costs,
ACA,
disability management,
voluntary benefits,
employee satisfaction,
UBA Partner Firm,
employee benefits,
hr consulting,
health care reform,
health care,
wellness programs,
absence management,
absenteeism,
disability insurance,
employee health,
insurance solutions,
medical plan,
self funded health plans
In the face of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the most substantial change in decades to the U.S. health care system, many employers are struggling to stay on top of health plan compliance while focusing on attracting and retaining employees, especially as the economy improves. Employee benefits packages that include vision insurance can help employers reach strategic goals, attract and retain employees, control health care costs, and increase productivity.
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Topics:
HR webinars,
employee benefits,
hr consulting,
Strategic Partner,
VSP Vision Care,
vision benefits,
UBA Partnership
To alleviate PPACA compliance anxiety, employers need resources that clearly explain which provisions affect them so they can make the best decisions. The following four guides will help you get started:
1. Confused About What PPACA Changes To Make When? This compliance timeline helps employers prepare for key milestones related to:
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Topics:
health care costs,
health insurance exchanges,
employee benefits,
hr consulting,
health care reform,
health care,
PPACA
“The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Change." ― Heraclitus.
When it comes to health plan compliance, this statement couldn’t be truer. The IRS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are constantly developing, revising and amending regulations related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). While overwhelming, it’s still crucial for employers to keep pace with the plethora of changes since the regulations affect many facets of employee benefit planning, compensation, and taxes. It seems these days that benefit management needs to keep up with the law in addition to attracting and retaining employees.
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Topics:
compliance,
ACA,
UBA,
employee benefits,
hr consulting,
health care reform,
PPACA,
HR compliance
Peter Freska, CEBS
Benefits Advisor
The LBL Group, A UBA Partner Firm
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Topics:
employee communication,
ACA,
hr consulting,
health care reform,
PPACA,
UBA Partner Firms
By 