Vizance Named to Fastest Growing Firms and Future 50 Lists
Jun
20
2018
Vizance recently earned a place on the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Firms list for the fourth time. This year’s list was comprised of 21 companies that have shown high levels of growth over the previous three years.
Vizance also received the Future 50 Award from the MMAC (Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce). Companies receiving this award have demonstrated strong growth in revenue and employment and can win the award up to three times. This was Vizance’s third and final time winning the award.
Considering a New Career?
May
10
2018
A career with Vizance means being part of something truly meaningful. Learn more on our Careers page or email us at careers@vizance.com.
Vizance Named to Top Workplaces List; Wins Communication Award
May
04
2018
Vizance was honored to take 4th place in the annual list of the Top Workplaces in Southeastern Wisconsin, as announced by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Vizance was also awarded the Special Award for Communication, as described here. Thank you to our Associates who make Vizance a Top Workplace!
OSHA Electronic Reporting Due July 1
May
04
2018
On April 30, 2018, OSHA announced it will require all establishments affected by the electronic reporting rule to submit their 2017 data to OSHA by July 1, 2018, regardless of whether the state has ratified or incorporated the electronic reporting rule into its OSHA state plan. Establishments in all states, including those with an OSHA-approved state plan, should prepare to submit electronic reports by July 1, 2018.
New IRS Guidance for HSA Limits
Apr
30
2018
Recently, the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance again adjusting the maximum health savings account (HSA) contribution for individuals with family coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP). The new guidance, Revenue Procedure 2018-27, provides that for the 2018 calendar year an individual with HDHP family coverage may use $6,900 as the maximum contribution limit rather than the lower limit of $6,850 established following the passage of the 2018 Budget Reconciliation Act and published by the IRS on March 2, 2018. The new guidance further provides that, if permitted by the HSA trustee or custodian, an individual who receives a distribution from an HSA of an excess contribution (with earnings) based on the previously published $6,850 limit may repay the distribution to the HSA and the amounts will not be includable in the individual’s taxable income or subject to the 20 percent additional tax under Section 223(f)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
CMS Extends Transitional Relief for Small Groups through 2019
Apr
17
2018
Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) announced further extension of its transitional policy allowing insurers in the small group market to renew health insurance policies that they would otherwise have had to cancel due to noncompliance with the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”).
By way of background, the ACA includes market reforms that created new coverage standards for health insurance policies such as: premium rating rules, guaranteed availability and renewability, and the requirement to provide essential health benefits. Under the ACA the market reforms were to be effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. However, prior to the effective date, CMS implemented a transitional relief policy that, if permitted by the states, would allow insurers offering coverage in the individual and small group markets the option of renewing current policies for current enrollees without adopting all of the ACA market reforms. The transitional relief policy was extended several times, but was set to expire in 2018.
The CMS guidance extends the transitional relief policy through 2019. Under the CMS guidance, states can permit insurers that have continually renewed health insurance coverage for small groups since 2014 under the transitional relief policy to again renew such coverage for a policy year beginning on or before October 1, 2019. However, any policy renewed under the transitional relief cannot extend beyond December 31, 2
Vizance Insight Series: April – June 2018
Mar
14
2018
Join us for our Vizance Insight Series webinars when Beth Ward, Vizance’s Compliance Attorney, will address several common issues affecting employee benefit plans. Beth will discuss the legal issues and practical concerns surrounding these topics and discuss strategies to help employers be compliant.
Benefits Based on Disability: What the New DOL Regulations Mean for Employers, Tuesday, April 10th, 1:30 - 2:30
Continuation Coverage: An Overview of Federal COBRA and State Continuation Rules, Tuesday, May 15th, 1:30 - 2:30
An Employer's Guide to FMLA, Tuesday, June 12th, 1:30 - 2:30
Please see our 2018 2nd Qtr Vizance Insight Series Schedule for more information.
16 Items to Pack in a Roadside Emergency Kit
Feb
27
2018
Whether you are taking a casual drive or embarking on a long road trip, you never know when an emergency will arise. As such, it's important to have a roadside emergency kit packed in your vehicle. Consider including these items in your kit.
Protect Yourself by Avoiding These Passwords
Feb
16
2018
How clever is your password? If it's on this infographic, your password is just as easily stolen as it is remembered. Protect yourself by making sure you’re not using one of the top 25 most commonly stolen passwords of 2017.
OSHA’s Deadline for Electronic Reporting Has Been Extended to December 31, 2017
Dec
19
2017
On November 24, 2017, OSHA officially delayed the first deadline for its electronic reporting rule to December 15, 2017. On December 18, 2017, OSHA announced employers can submit their electronic reports until December 31, 2017 without fear of penalty. This Compliance Bulletin provides an overview of reporting requirements, submission options and OSHA-approved State Plan compliance issues regarding the electronic reporting rule.
