Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Nearly every defined contribution plan sponsor now offers target-date funds in its participant investment menu, as these funds, often named for the year a participant expects to retire, eliminate the need for employees to construct their own investment portfolio. A recently released white paper about TDFs examines plan fiduciaries’ uncertainly regarding what TDFs should contain […]
The federal agencies implementing health reform continue to delay aspects of roll-out, especially as they relate to state-based health insurance marketplaces (also called “exchanges”), which are supposed to be up and running on Oct. 1. The Obama White House announced on Sept. 27 that federally run health-insurance exchanges, required by health care reform, will not […]
With the DOMA ruling so recent in our minds, employers have more unanswered employee benefits questions than ever before. Is it now illegal to tax healthcare benefits for a same-sex spouse? How should multi-state employers react if the final ruling comes down that only same-sex couples who reside in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages […]
Please participate in our brief survey and see how what you are doing stacks up against what other successful companies are doing. We’ll get answers to these questions and more: Which days will be paid holidays in 2013? In 2014? How will you handle Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays this year? Do you pay […]
Holidays are one of the baseline benefits. So who’s offering what out in the real world? What are your competitors up to? Help us find out! Please participate in our brief survey and see how what you are doing stacks up against what other successful companies are doing. We’ll get answers to these questions and […]
On Sept. 18, three federal agencies — Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury — petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn 10th Circuit’s decision in Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, No. 12-6294 (10th Cir., June 27, 2013), after that court ruled in favor of the owner’s right to project his RFRA rights not to comply […]
So-called stock drop cases, in which defined contribution plan participants sue employer plan sponsors for breach of fiduciary duty when the market value of company stock or other equity options in 401(k) investment menus declines severely, have become common. But for defined benefit sponsors, this threat is less onerous. A ruling the U.S. District Court […]
Medications for Treating Bipolar Disorder It is often challenging to find the right combination of medications and the right dosages, says expert Tom Wootton. Typical medications include: Mood stabilizers Antipsychotics Combination of both Wootton, CEO of Bipolar Advantage, whose remarks came in a recent BLR-sponsored webinar, was joined by Maureen Duffy, PhD, a practicing family […]
Authentication and Clarification of Medical Certifications Employers are entitled to authenticate or clarify information received on a medical certification form. It is important to note that the definitions of what constitutes permissible authentication and clarification are very limited. “Authentication” means providing the healthcare provider with a copy of the medical certification and requesting verification that […]
Under FMLA regulations, an employer may utilize DOL certification forms designed for this purpose (and why not use them, since you aren’t permitted to ask for any information not on those forms anyway?): Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee’s Serious Condition (WH-380-E) Certification of Health Care Provider for Family Member’s Serious Health Condition (WH-380-F) […]