Education Blog
Your Commercial Property Insurance Rating: How to COPE
Rating commercial properties for insurance purposes is complex work done by experienced underwriters. While you’ll probably never need to have that level of knowledge, a basic understanding of how properties are rated is useful, especially if you’re considering multiple options for the next location of your business. Let’s take a look: The first decision an…
Read MorePreventing Surprise Billing: What You Should Know About the New Rule
On July 1, the Biden-Harris Administration issued an interim final rule titled “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I” in an effort to address unanticipated out-of-network health coverage charges. While the rule is not yet law, it will take effect on January 1, 2022, following a comment period. Also known as an unexpected balance bill,…
Read More2021 ACA Reporting – Draft Forms Released
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released draft versions of several 2021 forms related to reporting required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here’s a brief overview: The forms apply to Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6066. Draft forms 1094-B and 1095-B will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC). Those include…
Read MoreHR Hotline – Real People, Real Answers
In a recent post we discussed our HR and Compliance Portal, our online portal for convenient access to resources on safety, compliance and much more (read about it here). While this portal is a vast and searchable resource, sometimes you need a little personal guidance, especially when it comes to matters of Human Resources. Chances…
Read MoreHammered by Lumber Prices: Is Your Homeowners Coverage Affected?
By now you’ve heard about the surge in pricing for lumber and other building materials. How bad is it? The National Association of Home Builders reports overall increases of more than 300% since last year. Several factors have combined to create this perfect storm of spiraling costs: Stuck at home during the pandemic, many people…
Read MoreHSA/HDHP Limits Changing for 2022
Each year the IRS is required to publish inflation-adjusted contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) by June 1. Revised limits for calendar year 2022 were released on May 10. Here’s a brief summary of the changes to contribution limits: For eligible individuals with self-only coverage, the HSA contribution…
Read MoreFMLA: An Overview
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been the law of the land for nearly three decades, with only minor revisions between its passage in 1993 and today. Yet the provisions of the FMLA are not universally understood by employers or employees. Here’s a brief overview of which employers must comply, which employees qualify…
Read MoreReporting Workers’ Compensation Claims: Act Quickly
There’s often some confusion over the proper steps to take when a workplace injury occurs. Here’s a look at what needs to happen in the event of an injury. The most important overall consideration is time. You’ll obviously want workers to promptly seek medical attention, but follow-up interviews and reporting should be done quickly also.…
Read MoreTrampolines: Liabilities and Safety Precautions
Getting the kids outside and away from their electronic devices is a worthy goal for any parent. And after this past year, with most children doing their learning at home, the temptation to chase them outdoors has probably never been greater. Maybe that’s why sales of backyard trampolines continue to grow. If you have a…
Read MoreCommercial Auto Insurance Trends for 2021
If your company has vehicles on the road, you’ve probably experienced premium increases even if you’ve maintained a good safety record. In some cases those rate increases have reached double-digit percentages, a frustrating state of affairs for any organization. The central issue is that the commercial auto segment has been unprofitable for insurers for much…
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