As you may recall from last year, PPACA requires all employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide notices to current employees and new hires about the health insurance exchanges and subsidies that may be available through the exchanges for qualified individuals. The question we keep getting is: If employers sent notices to all employees last year, do they have to provide … [Read more...]

This initiative will be on the November ballot and is strongly supported by Insurance Commission Dave Jones. The proposition claims to regulate health insurance premiums, but in reality: Gives one politician, the Insurance Commissioner, sweeping new power over every aspect of health care coverage, including premiums, benefits, and networks. It could even give the commissioner control over the … [Read more...]

La Costa 35 (LC35) is hosting its 4th Annual Charity Poker Tournament on Saturday, November 8.  Last year we raised more than $23,000 with over 180 people attending, making it one of the biggest tournaments in the county. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. Bonus chips will only be offered to registrations on or before September 19, 2014. We have over $5,000 in … [Read more...]

After careful consideration, Aetna has made the decision to only offer ACA-compliant plans to our customers renewing in 2014. Aetna provided the following notification... Our Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant Small Group plans are proving very popular in California. The vast majority of our renewing customers have chosen to stay with us in one of these plans. We're only offering … [Read more...]

On August 15th California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law legislation to better align the state's health coverage waiting period requirements with federal law. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) had established a 90-day waiting period that applies broadly to employers nationwide, California had established a 60-day waiting period. The intent of Senate Bill (SB) 1034, authored by Senator Bill … [Read more...]

Takes Immediate Effect SB 1446 (DeSaulnier) has been signed by Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr. to provide some small employers with non-grandfathered health insurance policies in effect as of December 31, 2013, the option to renew their existing coverage for one year, rather than be required to move to new coverage by the end of 2014. The new law provides employers with 50 or fewer … [Read more...]

U.S. Supreme Court Contraceptive Ruling: Burwell V. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. In a 5-4 decision that was described by one of the dissenting Justices as a "decision of startling breadth", the Supreme Court has ruled in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. that closely held for-profit corporations are not compelled to provide contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act's preventive care … [Read more...]

For calendar year-end plans, the 2013 Form 5500 is due to be filed electronically on EFAST2 no later than July 31, 2014. Most health and welfare plans (e.g., medical, dental and life insurance plans) are required by ERISA to file Form 5500 with the Department of Labor by the last day of the seventh month following the end of plan year unless an extension (Form 5558) is completed and mailed to … [Read more...]

  The Affordable Care Act imposes a fee on issuers of specified health insurance policies and plan sponsors of applicable self-insured health plans to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The fee, required to be reported only once a year on the second quarter Form 720 and paid by its due date, July 31, is based on the average number of lives covered under the policy … [Read more...]

Covered California Board Concerned The Sacramento (CA) Business Journal (6/24, Robertson, Subscription Publication) reports on how a ballot initiative that California voters will consider in November would affect the state's health insurance marketplace. If the Insurance Rate Public Justification and Accountability Act is approved, it "would give state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones authority … [Read more...]