Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

Agencies Release New SBC Template and Glossary

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury have announced enhancements to the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) template and uniform glossary. The changes include an additional coverage example and language and terms meant to improve consumers’ understanding of their health coverage.

Health Plan Costs On the Rise, Says New Survey

Health insurance premium renewal rates increased an average of 6.2% for all plans in 2015, up from the previous year’s 5.6% increase, according to new survey data released by United Benefit Advisors (UBA), an independent employee benefits advisory organization. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, which account for five million U.S. employers, were hit […]

ERISA’s Impact on Data Breach Lawsuits

By Sandra R. Mihok, member, Eckert Seamans Attorneys at Law Health insurance companies have increasingly become the target of cyberattacks, a trend which has spurred a wave of class action lawsuits brought by individuals whose personal information has been breached.

Hospital Pays Millions for HIPAA Violations after Unauthorized Filming

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently reached a $2.2 million settlement with New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYP) for the egregious disclosure of two patients’ protected health information (PHI) to film crews and staff during the filming of “NY Med,” an ABC television series, without first obtaining authorization from the […]

Is a HIPAA Audit Coming Soon to a Workplace Near You?

By BLR Legal Editor Jennifer Carsen, JD As a part of its continued efforts to assess compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has begun a round of audits of covered entities and their business […]

It’s Never Just About the Money

by Jen Carsen, J.D., BLR Legal Editor As you have undoubtedly heard by now, the Department of Labor has issued its long-awaited final regulations relating to the new overtime rules. By the DOL’s reckoning, these changes will extend overtime pay to 4.2 million Americans who don’t currently receive it.

10 Back Care Tips for Your Employees (Infographic)

“Research shows that up to nine out of 10 adults in the western world suffer back pain at some point in their lives. Only colds and flu beat low back problems when it comes to the most common reasons for visiting a general doctor or taking time off work,” says Mark Alexander, inventor of BakBalls, a self-help device […]

U.S. Supreme Court Punts on ACA Contraceptive Mandate Case

By BLR Legal Editor Jennifer Carsen, JD For the past several months, court-watchers have been waiting for the Supremes to resolve a split among the circuits on the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) contraceptive mandate. Today, the court released its long-awaited opinion—without ruling on the merits of the case.