RJDutton understands how valuable sharing information can be. As a member of United Benefits Advisors, RJ Dutton offers you important governmental compliance information to assist you in your employee benefits program. We hope this will aid you in your benefit planning and assist in your decision process when considering RJDutton as your choice of a Benefit Advisor.
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Employer Compliance Alerts
Click on the links below for a PDF important information.
Click on the arrows ↓ to open & close Compliance description and pertinent links.
DoL: Application for Review of COBRA Subsidy DenialJune 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) package included a temporary 65% federal premium subsidy for individuals becoming entitled to COBRA coverage due to an employee’s involuntary termination of employment. Congress recognized, however, that the purpose of this subsidy could be undermined if disputes between employers & their former employees as to the subsidy’s availability took months or even years to resolve. Accordingly, Congress provides that any such dispute would be resolved by a federal agency: the DoL for private employer plans subject to the federal COBRA provisions; the DoHHS for governmental plans & small insured plans covered by state "mini- COBRA" statutes. These agencies are to resolve such disputes within 15 days.
DoL: Instructions for Application for Expedited Reveiw of Denial of COBRA Premium Reduction
DoL: Application for Expedited Reveiw of Denial of COBRA Premium Reduction
Dept of Labor: COBRA Review Application - Submission
IRS: 2010 HSA & HDHP Dollar AmountsJune, 2009
Assuming a health savings account ("HSA") is paired with a high deductible health plan ("HDHP"), an individual’s contributions to the HSA are tax-deductible. Section 223 of the Tax Code specifies a maximum annual HSA contribution, as well as both a minimum annual deductible and a maximum annual out-of-pocket amount for an HDHP. These calendar-year amounts are subject to annual inflation adjustments, based on the increase in the consumer price index ("CPI") during the 12-month period ending on the prior March 31st. This adjustment schedule allows each year’s dollar amounts to be known in advance of the annual enrollment period for that year.
New I-9 Form now in Effect April 3, 2009
US employers are required to use the revised I-9 form, identified by the 2/20/09 revision date, to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires and reverifications. The revised I-9 form is available at uscis.gov (US Citizenship & Imigration Services).
Dept of Labor: COBRA Compliance NoticesMarch 19, 2009
The Department of Labor issued model COBRA Premium subsidy notices. Four different model notices along with an an additional set of FAQs are available on the Dept. of Labor website. Dept of Labor: COBRA-ARRA information
ARRA: COBRA Premium SubsidyFebruary 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly called COBRA. ARRA (the ’Stimulus’) includes 65% COBRA Premium subsidy.
Dept of Labor: COBRA-ARRA information
Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay ActJanuary 29, 2009
The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act becomes law. PDF includes information on the history, congressional action, the effects of the new law, and practical steps employers may want to consider in going forward. A copy of the public law can be saved as a PDF from the GPO here.
Women's Health & Cancer Right Act (WHCRA)November 11, 2008
Annual Notice Reminder & sample memo.
WHCRA FAQ & U.S. Dept of Labor Pamphlet
Michelle's Law (HR 2851) November 1, 2008
Extends elegibility for college-age Dependents HR 2851: GPO pdf
Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax (HEART) Act October 15, 2008
Special Access to unused Health FSA Balances.
HEART Act (Public law 110-245)