Did You Know?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) amended the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to require employers to provide the following to nursing mothers for one year after birth of their child:
- Reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child
- A place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from potential intrusion for the employee to express breast milk
In addition to this federal requirement, many states have their own breast-feeding laws.
To view more information on this law and answers to frequently asked questions, or to learn about your state's specific regulations, visit www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/.
Get Ready for ACA Reporting Deadlines
Last year, employers had extra time to complete their Section 6055 and 6056 reporting, thanks to transition relief from the IRS. This year, it's unlikely that the IRS will provide any relief from the normal deadlines.
This means that employers will need to act quickly in order to distribute the required forms to employees in January 2017 and then file returns with the IRS on time.
The 2016 reporting deadlines for specific forms are as follows:
- Jan. 31, 2017 - Forms 1095-B and 1095-C due to employees (to be postmarked, if mailed, or sent by mail if applicable conditions are met)
- Feb. 28, 2017 - Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C and 1095-C due to the IRS if filing on paper
- March 31, 2017 - Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C and 1095-C due to the IRS if filing electronically
Any employer filing 250 or more information returns during the calendar year must file these returns electronically, unless the employer obtains a waiver. For employers filing fewer than 250 returns, electronic filing is voluntary. CONTINUE READING
Marketplaces to Offer "Simple Choice Plans" for 2017
In an effort to make choosing a health plan easier for consumers, the federal government is encouraging insurers to offer "simple choice health plans" as an option during the upcoming Marketplace open enrollment.
Insurers won't be required to offer simple choice plans on the marketplace; however, for insurers that choose to do so, the government is providing guidelines for creating a simple choice plan design at each of the current metal levels (bronze, silver and gold). CONTINUE READING
For questions on these topics or to discuss your Health & Employee Benefits plans with one of our Risk Advisors, contact us today.
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