Author: Tammy Binford, Contributing Editor

Attrition

More Money, More Problems (When You Terminate an Employee)

One of the most common questions we receive is what an employer can do when an employee is terminated and owes the company money. In response, our clients hear one of the most common phrases in this area of the law—no good deed goes unpunished. Below are some guiding principles regarding employer benefits and employee […]

health

Employee Participation in High Deductible Health Plans Grew More Than 60% in 2017

Rising healthcare costs continue to plague employers and employees alike, so it should come as no surprise that participation in high deductible health plans (HDHP) grew by more than 60% last year. A new report reveals which areas of the United States are most impacted by rising healthcare costs and highlights the types of voluntary […]

ERISA

Court Vacates $16M Judgment Against Cigna for Recouping Overpayments

A federal appeals court vacated a judgment totaling more than $16 million against a health plan administrator for its actions in attempting to recoup overpayments to an out-of-network hospital. The case is Conn. Gen’l Life Ins. Co. v. Humble Surgical Hosp., LLC, 878 F.3d 478 (5th Cir., Dec. 19, 2017).

retirement

TCJA Removes Some Disaster Damage from Safe Harbor 401(k) Hardship Eligibility

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 enacted in February relaxed certain restrictions on hardship withdrawals from 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans (see, New Federal Budget Relaxes Hardship Withdrawals for Retirement Plan Participants), starting in 2019. But defined contribution (DC) retirement plan sponsors also should be aware that, in contrast, the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs […]