| COMPLIANCE CORNER
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| Guidance for Health Coverage Options and Model Notices
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| The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Technical Release No. 2013-02 that provides new guidance for employers that must comply with the notification of health coverage options as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Here are a few highlights: |
- Health Coverage Options Notification: Employers subject to FSLA regulations are required to inform employees of coverage options available through the new Health Insurance Marketplace. This notification must be provided to all current employees by Oct. 1, 2013 and to all new employees on or after Oct. 1, 2013 within 14 days of their respective start dates. What’s more, all employees must receive this notice, regardless of plan enrollment status (if applicable) or part– or full–time status.
- Model Marketplace Notices: The two model notices employers may use are available on the DOL website. These notices are merely samples and employers are not required to use them.
- Model COBRA Election Notice: In addition, the DOL released a new model COBRA election notice. This notice advises qualified beneficiaries eligible for COBRA continuation coverage that coverage options are available through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Employers may choose to use the sample DOL notice, but it’s not mandatory. A plan administrator’s correct use of the notice is considered a "safe harbor" and good faith compliance.
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| For further information, see our Compliance Update issued on June 3, 2013. |
| 2014 Inflation Adjusted Amounts for HSAs
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| Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Procedure 2013-25, which set inflation adjusted amounts for health savings accounts (HSAs) as determined under Internal Revenue Code Section 223. |
| Effective for the 2014 calendar year, HSA contribution limits and out–of–pocket deductibles for qualifying high deductible health plans increased slightly: |
- $3,300 HSA maximum annual contribution limit for individuals with self–only coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP), a $50 increase
- $6,550 HSA maximum annual contribution limit for individuals with family coverage under a HDHP, up by $100
- While HDHP minimum annual deductibles remained the same as in 2013, HDHP out–of–pocket maximum amounts increased to: $6,350 for individual coverage, a $100 increase
- $12,700 HDHP out–of–pocket maximum for family coverage, a $200 increase
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| Visit the IRS website for the full revenue procedure. |
| Want to learn more about adding an HSA to your employee benefits program? According to a recent study, HSAs are more popular than ever. Let CONEXIS show you how a qualifying HDHP that integrates with an HSA can be an attractive option. Contact us today. |
| Self–compliance Tools for Health Benefits Laws
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| There’s no denying it — numerous provisions of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA) are complicated and confusing. To help with this confusion, the Department of Labor (DOL) now provides two tools on its website that group health plans, plan sponsors, plan administrators, and health insurance issuers can use to test their compliance. These tools, or checklists, deal specifically with group health plan requirements (Part 7) of ERISA. |
| The first checklist focuses on HIPAA portability and other law provisions, such as pre–existing conditions exclusions, certificates of creditable coverage, special enrollment rights, wellness programs, and more. The questions and explanations of applicable statutes and other regulatory/administrative interpretation materials assist those involved in operating a group health plan in understanding the laws and their related responsibilities. |
| The second checklist focuses on ACA provisions, including a plan’s status as a "grandfathered" plan exempt from some ACA requirements, and such ACA requirements as limitations on rescission and annual and lifetime limits, and more. The various sets of questions and answers allow users to assess their plan's compliance with the ACA provisions that have already taken place, or will take place in the near future. |
| NEWS AND TRENDS
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| Safeguarding PHI on Mobile Devices
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| With more and more employees using mobile devices for work, it’s not surprising that protecting personal health information (PHI) on mobile devices is concerning. Risks vary based on the mobile device and its use. However, the most common risks include:
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- Loss of a mobile device
- Theft of a mobile device
- Inadvertently downloading viruses or other malware
- Unintentional disclosure of unauthorized users
- Using an unsecured Wi–Fi network
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| In response, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed a website that offers health care providers and organizations tips and information on ways to protect PHI on laptops, tablets, and smartphones — whether used on site, at remote locations, or in public spaces. The website provides helpful and easy–to–download resources including videos, fact sheets, posters, and even PowerPoint presentations to promote the safeguarding of PHI.
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| To view or download these resources, visit the HHS website. |
| Retail Clinics Expand Health Care Services
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| In a move that caught the attention of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Walgreens' Take Care ClinicsSM have begun offering assessment, treatment and management for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and more. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants will provide these expanded services at 330 clinics in 18 states and the District of Columbia.
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| In addition, CVS/pharmacy is expanding its MinuteClinic from more than 570 U.S. clinics to 1,000 by 2016. The company is also increasing its diagnostic testing capabilities, chronic disease management, and medication management within those clinics. |
| In response to these developments, the AAFP issued a statement on its website announcing its opposition of retail clinics providing services beyond "minor acute illnesses." AAFP especially cautions against "the management of chronic medical conditions in this setting," which could lead to the fragmentation of a patient’s health care. |
| Whether retail clinics in other drug stores, big box stores, and grocery chains follow suit with expanded services remains to be seen. But the growth of retail clinics continues to rise to meet demand. They are popular with consumers because they offer both convenience and some cost savings over traditional doctor’s offices. |
| Care provided by retail clinics is covered by most health plans. And if the employer’s benefits also include a health reimbursement account (HRA) or a health flexible spending account (FSA), participants can use their pre–tax dollars to pay for the clinic visit as well as eligible health care expenses, like prescription drugs and some over–the–counter health care items, while still at the retail clinic. |
| BEHIND THE SCENES
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| Small Changes Make a Big Impact
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| Five years ago, CONEXIS set out on a mission. The goal was to employ efficient practices that benefit the clients and participants we serve, while simultaneously decreasing negative environmental effects.
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| To meet this goal, the company launched the E–HERO™ program, which continues today. It encourages employees to be "E–Heroes" throughout their workdays in four simple areas: replace paper documents with electronic documents whenever possible, increase direct deposits, transition to duplex printing of materials, and eliminate the use of Styrofoam and non–reusable cups. |
| "The impact of the E–HERO program was felt immediately," said Susan Prieto, facilities manager for CONEXIS. "Just the elimination of Styrofoam cups resulted in a substantial monthly cost savings for the company." |
| To assist employees in their initial efforts, CONEXIS supplied employees with CONEXIS branded cups and mugs, set up recycle stations in the break rooms, and distributed workstation recycle bins. "We wanted to make the process easier and less disruptive to employees," said Susan. More recently, CONEXIS gave each employee a simple, decorative fabric tote bag during the holidays to discourage the use of plastic and paper shopping bags.
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| Since the launch of E–HERO, CONEXIS has made significant strides in improving our efficiencies while decreasing our impact on the environment. In a recent facilities report for first quarter 2013 alone, CONEXIS recycled approximately 0.21 total tons. On an annualized basis, this translates to saving the equivalent of 14.24 trees, 5,862 gallons of water, 318.24 gallons of oil, and 74.48 cubic feet of landfill space. Figures that prove small changes make a big impact in this world. |
| Commuter Online Ordering Process Gets a Lift
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| CONEXIS is excited to announce the recent release of its enhanced commuter–ordering platform. This updated site provides our commuter participants with a friendlier and easier process for ordering passes and vouchers online. Enhancements include:
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- Simplified look and layout of the site's webpages
- Customized displays based on the employer's plan offerings and local transit authorities
- Search option for transit, vanpool, and parking providers by ZIP codes
- Monthly recurrence and opt–out months for each commuter product
- Simple online submission for Never Received Pass Claims
- Additional editing functions for participants' demographic information
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| Participants continue to access this site seamlessly and easily through their CONEXIS online account. |
| The CONEXIS Commuter Benefits Plan helps both employers and employees save money while reducing their impact on the environment. Learn more by visiting the CONEXIS website. |
| Get In Where You Fit In
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| Some things mothers teach shape their children’s lives. Ronnie Pegram, paralegal with CONEXIS, has lived her whole life based on what her mother taught her. And that’s a life of volunteerism.
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| "My mom taught me that if you’re part of a community, you should be giving back to that community in some way, shape, or form," she declared.
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| Ronnie began giving back at a young age by assisting an elderly neighbor. Today, she assists those struggling economically as well as those struggling with HIV/AIDS.
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| As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for the last 12 years, Ronnie pitches in wherever she can. The sorority is a non–profit organization that provides assistance and support to local communities throughout the world. Through sorority initiatives, she helps with registering voters, picking up trash, mentoring children, and more. The list is endless.
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| "My motto is 'just get in where you fit in.' There is always a need," Ronnie said. "Plus, by helping improve another person’s life, you improve your own."
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| This busy lady also volunteers with Legal Hospice of Texas, a non–profit law firm providing free legal services to low–income individuals who are terminally ill or HIV positive. It’s a cause near and dear to her heart since she already had experience assisting those with HIV/AIDS through the sorority, and knew people who had died without proper legal representation.
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| As a board member, Ronnie supports the hospice through fundraising and awareness programs. As a paralegal, she can also notarize end–of–life or other documents for their clients. "The hospice assists the living through terminal illness. And I’m honored to be a part of building a community in which people, regardless of health or economic status, have access to justice."
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