Insights & Resources

Tackling your employee benefits program can feel like just another administrative headache—one you may be inclined to avoid. But, letting another year slip by without revisiting your benefits program means a missed opportunity to further your business objectives, and might even be a costly mistake.

Every business has assets that are critical to its operations and profitability. In manufacturing, it may be the equipment or supply chain. But one asset is critical across every industry and business sector, and that is social capital.

In today’s electronic age, telemedicine is another way for busy consumers to reach out for health care consultation when illness or injury occurs.

By focusing on education to improve employee health literacy, companies can drive positive behaviors, reduce expenditures, and increase productivity while also acting in the best interest of their workforce.

As employers look ahead to the future, many are concerned over the threat of shrinking profit margins in the wake of continually rising medical expenditures.

2018 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMPLIANCE WEBINAR SERIES

April 19, 2018 | 2 PM - 3 PM ESTSelf-Insurance in a Post-ACA World: A Review of the basics of...

2018 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMPLIANCE WEBINAR SERIES

March 22, 2018 | 2 PM - 3 PM EST
FMLA & Employee Benefits: The interaction of FMLA and...

The IRS Issued notice on March 5, 2018 regarding adjusted HSA contribution limits effective for 2018.

Without referencing your EOB, you could end up overpaying on your medical bills or overlooking important information about your coverage.

On February 16, 2018, the Austin City Council passed a paid sick leave ordinance effective October 1, 2018 for all size employers except for micro-employers (no more than 5 employees at any time during the preceding 12 months), which is effective October 1, 2020.

This compliance update addresses the Department of Labor (DOL) announcement in January that no further action would be taken on the amended disability claims and appeals regulations. As such, the new regulations will apply to ERISA-governed disability claims filed on or after April 1, 2018.

2018 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMPLIANCE WEBINAR SERIES

February 15, 2018 | 2 PM - 3 PM EST
BACK TO BASICS - CAFETERIA PLANS 101: An introduction...

An employee handbook helps ensure that everyone is on the same page as far as the company rules and culture are concerned in addition to keeping the organization running smoothly.

Setting clear expectations about behavior and communication through social media sites can prevent potential problems and mitigate risk for both the company and its employees.

HRAs allow a company to be able to offer a high-deductible plan to keep premiums low, without burdening employees with high out-of-pocket expenditures or limiting their access to healthcare.

DOL Releases Proposed Rule Expanding Association Health Plans Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule to...

As hospital systems and pharmaceutical companies continue to increase the cost for healthcare, businesses will need to take a different approach to see any significant reduction in healthcare expenditures.

2018 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMPLIANCE WEBINAR SERIES
January 18, 2018 | 2 PM - 3 PM EST
ACA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: An overview of the ACA's...

As large oil and gas operators streamline operations by shrinking their vendor lists, and as certificate management companies shift exposure to the contractors, our team is there to help you navigate the changing landscape of MSAs.

Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA) remains committed to providing our clients with the most reliable, comprehensive, straightforward guidance possible. As...

By Bill Henry, CEO & Chairman, Southwest Region To say that we faced challenges in 2017 is an understatement. A hurricane along the Gulf Coast,...

In an opinion dated December 20, 2017, in American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) v. EEOC, the federal court in the District of Columbia...

Whether yours is a multinational enterprise or a small business with a handful of employees, no organization is immune to cybercrime.

In addition to the new informational reporting outlined in the November ACA brief, many employers remain subject to the Form W-2 informational reporting which began for tax year 2012.

Benefits brokers play a key role guiding employers through the process of reviewing, comparing, understanding and managing health insurance policies that will attract and retain top talent.

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, employers increasingly are looking to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for their employee benefits programs.

The shorter enrollment time frame along with other changes made by the current administration could complicate this year’s open enrollment period.

We are setting ourselves apart by investing in new technologies to increase efficiency and offer clients valuable data that gives them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Spousal carve-outs and spousal surcharges, also known as the Working Spouse Rule, have become more common after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as ACA provided a mechanism to make coverage available for spouses through the Marketplace.

By understanding how Medicare works, you can make an informed decision about whether and when to enroll and take full advantage of all the benefits it has to offer.

Large corporations frequently have an in-house team of risk management professionals, who can work in concert with executive management and legal counsel to ensure a sale or acquisition aligns with the firm’s business strategy and identify potential red flags. Historically, however, midsize firms have been at a disadvantage in this arena.

As manufacturers develop new technologies and wearables continue to gain popularity, more employers likely will look to these high-tech devices to help their personnel take better care of their bodies.

Although everyone’s primary focus is ensuring that friends and loved ones are safe, understanding the claims process can help those affected by this catastrophic storm get back on their feet quickly and experience greater peace of mind.

The key to dealing with data security effectively is to understand how criminals think, train employees to exercise caution, and leverage insurance to add a safety net for where standard security measures may fail.

Setting clear expectations about behavior and communication through social media sites can prevent potential problems and mitigate risk for both the company and its employees.

Thanks to the increased availability of level-funding premium options and predictive modeling tools, even businesses with as few as a dozen employees can benefit from the advantages of a self-funded plan.

By: Matthew Prescott, Benefits Advisor As denizens of the Western world in the early 21st Century, we have it good. We can program DVRs to record...

By: Marcus Humphrey, Executive Advisor, Employee Benefits & Rick Boss, Executive Advisor, Employee Benefits As the average inflation rate last...

By taking proactive steps to improve driver selection and training and promote a culture of safety, businesses can minimize losses from auto claims, while doing their part to keep premiums down and make our nation’s roads safer.

By Jared A. Moss, Co-Founder of iNGAGED Technology continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, a reality that comes as a mixed blessing for those in...

Wellness today is more than an annual health fair or free gym membership—and it is more than a retention and recruiting tool. When done right, wellness programs educate and motivate employees to live healthier and more fulfilling lives, giving them a greater sense of value and purpose.

Even a modest increase in employer costs can have a detrimental impact on small and mid-size businesses (SMBs), where limited cash flows and tight budget constraints mandate strategic cost containment. For these organizations, a group employee benefits captive can offer a number of advantages.

By soliciting employee input on perks and rewards, hiring the right qualities, and fostering a healthy work-life balance, businesses can increase employee retention, minimize lost workdays, boost productivity, and effectively improve the bottom line.

For employers, educating employees about the process and incentivizing them to make smart buying decisions can help them save money and significantly reduce healthcare expenditures for the business.

Taking a risk management approach to losses involves looking at ways to protect employees from injury, improve their health and wellbeing, and reduce downtime if an unfortunate event does occur.

Advances in technology have made it possible for employers to analyze and leverage data in new ways to improve the design and delivery of their benefit offerings while potentially reducing costs.

On Friday, March 24, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Speaker Paul Ryan pulled from the floor the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the proposed legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The question of whether 12 and 15 - passenger vans are safe refuses to go away.

Once a cut-and-dried process for mid-size and large employers, structuring employee benefits plans has become increasingly complex in recent years.

Today, the risk landscape has become more perilous, as organizations engage in a constant battle against hackers and cybercriminals.

In an effort to mitigate escalating healthcare costs and address the needs of the aging Baby Boomer population, many self-insured employers are offering domestic medical tourism programs for their workers.

Losses from social engineering fraud easily can be tens of thousands of dollars, and many businesses assume they are covered by their standard crime/fidelity policy, but the policy provisions generally state otherwise.

The open enrollment period for employee benefits can be a stressful time for the human resources staff and insurance brokers responsible for managing the process.

Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) should begin preparing now for the 2016 IRS Informational Reporting season.

Voluntary plans offered by the employer include many types of benefits, from the voluntary dental and vision plans to worksite benefits.

Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) should begin preparing now for the 2016 IRS Informational Reporting season.

The Employee Income Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) along with other federal laws, mandate distribution of disclosures (e.g., notices) to participants and beneficiaries.

In May, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of, among other grounds, sex (including gender identity) in certain health programs and activities.

In May, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

While the deadline to electronically file Affordable Care Act (ACA) information returns with the IRS passed on June 30, 2016, the ACA Information Returns (AIR) system used to electronically file those returns will remain up and running.

While the deadline to electronically file Affordable Care Act (ACA) information returns with the IRS passed on June 30, 2016, the ACA Information Returns (AIR) system used to electronically file those returns will remain up and running.

In late June, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reportedly mailed out several hundred thousand notices to employers, dated June 21, 2016, informing them that one or more of their employees have been certified as eligible for a premium subsidy through a federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

In late June, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reportedly mailed out several hundred thousand notices to employers, informing them that one or more of their employees have been certified as eligible for a premium subsidy through a federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for private-sector employee benefit and retirement plans including reporting and disclosure.

The temporary annual Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee is due July 31, 2016 for plan years ending in 2015.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes safeguards and procedures to regulate the use, disclosure, and privacy of an individual’s health information.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) came into existence as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.

Compare and contrast a variety of arrangements and accounts.

Nondiscrimination rules applicable to health and welfare benefit plans are as varied as they are complex. These rules apply to benefit plans sponsored by employers.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) imposes requirements on employers and plan sponsors and penalties on those who do not comply.

Eligible employees are typically offered two opportunities to enroll in group health coverage.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requires certain parameters to be met prior to providing plan related materials to participants and beneficiaries.

MMA will issue Compliance or Health Reform Updates as state or federal guidance is issued that impacts our clients.