Employee Benefit Guidance & Compliance Solutions

Monthly Newsletter December 2018

Posted by on December 1, 2018 in Newsletters

Dear Valued Clients and Associates,

This week I learned who the Franklin High School Madrigal Singers are. They put on a holiday performance for The Franklin Woman’s Club and they were incredible. If you have the opportunity to see them perform, I highly recommend it.

As we continue rolling through the holiday season and the new year approaches, I am looking for any feedback on how to improve this newsletter in 2019. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Here is your last Newsletter in 2018 with a combination of HR and Health related news. I hope you enjoy!

Sending peaceful and joyous holiday wishes to you and yours!

 


 

3 hours of HR Consulting/ DOL Audit, complimentary

For all NEW clients joining PF Compass (new plan, renewal or off renewal BOR) until 1/31/19, we offering 3 free hours of HR Consulting/ DOL Audit. Use the contact button below or call me at 732-258-1032 now to receive this offer.

 


 

Don’t Forget to Provide an SBC This Open Enrollment

Employers that sponsor group health plans should provide certain benefit notices in connection with their plans’ open enrollment periods. Some of these notices must be provided at open enrollment time, such as the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC).

Group health plans and health insurance issuers are required to provide an SBC to applicants and enrollees each year at open enrollment or renewal time. Federal agencies have provided a template for the SBC, which health plans and issuers are required to use.

The issuer for fully insured plans usually prepares the SBC. If the issuer prepares the SBC, an employer is not also required to prepare an SBC for the health plan, although the employer may need to distribute the SBC prepared by the issuer.

 


 

2019 FSA Contribution Cap Rises to $2,700

Employers can let employees put an extra $50 into their health care flexible spending accounts (health FSAs) next year, but for some the announcement may have come too late.

For 2019, employees can contribute $2,700 to health FSAs, up from the 2018 limit of $2,650, the IRS said in Revenue Procedure 2018-57, issued Nov. 15. The increase also applies to limited-purpose FSAs that are restricted to dental and vision care services, which can be used in tandem with health savings accounts (HSAs).

To read more click here

 


 

Remember 3 Points About FMLA During the Holidays

Rules differ based on the length of FMLA leaves
To avoid an unwanted gift from the Department of Labor during the holiday season, employers should ensure that they properly administer Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leaves taken during company holidays.

To read more click here

 


 

What Are You Doing to Prevent the Flu?

Last year was the first flu season to be classified as high severity across all age groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This shows that no one can afford to ignore flu prevention. With that in mind, what are you doing to fight the flu?

Flu by the Numbers

According to a recent survey from Harris Insights & Analytics, 66 percent of people still go to work when they have the flu. Knowing this, it’s safe to assume some of your co-workers and employees will be coming to work while ill. You need a flu prevention strategy in place to reduce the damage.

Prepping the Workplace for the Flu

Since it’s difficult to stop people from coming into work, you need certain amenities to help the rest of the workplace fend off the flu.
Here are some of the must-have items you should keep in the workplace, according to the Harris study:

  • Tissues
  • Hand Soap
  • Cough Drops
  • Cold Medicine
  • Pain Reliver
  • Vitamin C
  • Hand Sanitizer

Developing a Prevention Plan

A flu prevention strategy will look different depending on the workplace, but it’s critical that you have one. When developing your plan, consider aspects like offering free flu shots and communicating effective flu prevention methods to employees.

 


 

The Doctor Is In

Welcome to the heart of the cold season. If all your efforts not to get sick fail, you might want to treat the various symptoms with over-the-counter medications. Dr. Nina Shapiro, the director of pediatric otolaryngology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine has your guide.

Just keep in mind treatments come with side effects, and some of these side effects may not be worth the benefits of taking the meds. And just because you don’t need a prescription doesn’t mean a quick call to your doctor isn’t in order to make sure what you’re taking is safe for you.

 


 

How to Conduct 1-on-1 Benefits Meetings

Employee benefits programs are a big part of attracting and retaining top talent. You’ve likely worked hard to develop a competitive benefits package, but you may be undermining your hard work by not communicating effectively. Learn some tips for holding 1-on-1 benefits meetings in the video below.

 


 

I am constantly looking for ways to improve this newsletter, comments and suggestions are welcome. Thank you!

 

Brandi Bowers | Benefits Consultant
PF Compass Employer Guidance & Benefit Solutions

461 Somerset St. North Plainfield NJ 07060
Tel (732) 258-1032

 

 

Source Credits: Copyright © HR 360, Inc. All rights reserved., Forbes.com, SHRM.org

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