News / Events > Vizance

Thank you to our associates who have again made us a Best Place to Work! The Milwaukee Business Journal has named Vizance to the Best Places to Work list again this year.

We are pleased to announce that Mike Lappin is joining Valley Insurance Associates, a Vizance Company, as Partner and President, effective July 11, 2017. Since 1999, Lappin has been employed with Motorists Insurance Group, most recently serving as President of Wilson Mutual since 2013. Under Lappin's direction, Wilson Mutual experienced increased revenue, while also improving a number of internal departments, furthering Wilson's position as a leader in the insurance industry. At Valley Insurance Associates, Lappin plans to add additional associates to the team, and will also be exploring further opportunities for mergers and acquisitions. "I am delighted to partner with the team at Valley Insurance Associates and Vizance," said Lappin. "This is a dynamic organization that has successfully evolved to meet the needs of an ever-changing business environment, and the values and vision of this company are in complete alignment with mine. This role provides the ideal leadership opportunity to merge my passion for insurance with my track record of robust business growth." Jeff Cardenas, President of Vizance, echoed Lappin's thoughts: "We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the team. His outstanding character and values, combined with his proven success in helping Wilson Mutual grow over time, indicate that he will provide the leadership that is needed to sustain our rapid organic growth rate. We will also continue to look at opportunities to acquire agencies that fit with our

The complex requirements of COBRA leave many employers anxious and concerned about their liability and possible penalties from the IRS and Department of Labor. Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, July 18th at 1:30 pm when Beth Ward, Vizance’s Compliance Attorney, will address your COBRA concerns, helping you to become compliant. In this webinar we will discuss: > Triggering rules for COBRA > Notices that must be provided > Penalties for noncompliance > Difference between Federal COBRA rules and State Continuation RSVP to Joanna Baisch at (262) 563 5457 or register@vizance.com

The Milwaukee Business Journal recently released the 2017 list of Fastest Growing Firms, and Vizance was honored to be part of the list. The companies named to the list are those with the highest percentages of growth for the past three years.

Although the future of the Affordable Care Act may be uncertain, the Department of Labor has not reduced its enforcement efforts. Rather, the DOL has increased the number of audits and has stated that it will continue to focus its resources on compliance. Beth Ward, Vizance's Compliance Attorney, recently presented a seminar regarding this topic. Beth has actively assisted numerous employers with DOL and IRS audits, along with pre-audit corrective actions. Future webinars and seminars will again cover this topic. If you're interested in attending, please email us at contact@vizance.com.

Vizance made the Future 50 list for the second time. This program, run by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Council of Small Business Executives, recognizes companies in the seven-county Milwaukee Region that have shown rapid growth.

Vizance is honored to have been named a Top Workplace by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, placing 4th in our category. We are also the proud recipient of the Ethics Award, which indicates that our associates firmly believe that our company operates by strong values and ethics. Thank you to our associates for providing feedback and for making Vizance a Top Workplace!

As required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is a new version of the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) that all health insurers need to provide to their group health plan clients. The new SBC template includes an additional coverage example as well as language and terms to improve individuals' understanding of their health coverage. The updated template improves readability and includes more information about cost sharing, enhanced language to explain deductibles, and requires plans to address individual and overall out-of-pocket limits. The new version of the SBC must be distributed to all eligible individuals and beneficiaries beginning on the first day of the first open enrollment period that begins on or after April 1, 2017. This means that upon your next renewal, the new SBC’s should be distributed to your employees.

OSHA recently announced a delay in enforcement of the crystalline silica standard that applies to the construction industry in order to conduct additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance for employers. The agency has determined that additional guidance is necessary due to the unique nature of the requirements in the construction standard. Originally scheduled to begin June 23, 2017, enforcement will now begin September 23, 2017. OSHA expects employers in the construction industry to continue to take steps either to come into compliance with the new permissible exposure limit, or to implement specific dust controls for certain operations as provided in the standard. Construction employers should also continue to prepare to implement the standard’s other requirements, including exposure assessment, medical surveillance and employee training. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

On March 6, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives issued two bills, referred to together as the American Health Care Act, to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If enacted, the American Health Care Act would not repeal the ACA in its entirety, but it would affect several key provisions impacting employers such as the employer mandate and the tax on high cost health coverage (i.e. the “Cadillac” tax). The American Health Care Act would also provide employers with greater flexibility in designing benefit plans by significantly enhancing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and eliminating the restrictions on Health Flexible Spending Accounts (Health FSAs). The key “employer” provisions of the American Health Care Act include: Eliminating the Employer Mandate Penalties. Under the ACA, large employers (employers with 50 or more full-time employees including full-time equivalents) must offer affordable, minimum value health care coverage or pay a penalty under Section 4980H of the Internal Revenue Code. The American Health Care Act would reduce the penalties under Section 4980H to zero retroactively for months beginning after December 31, 2015, effectively eliminating the employer mandate under the ACA. Delaying the “Cadillac” Tax. The ACA imposes a 40% excise tax, referred to as the “Cadillac” tax, on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage. The American Health Care Act would delay the effective date of the Cadillac tax for another five yea

News / Events

Vizance is Part of Best Places to Work List

Mike Lappin Joins Valley Insurance Associates, a Vizance Company, as Partner and President

COBRA Webinar Scheduled for July 18th

Vizance on Fastest Growing Firms List

Are You Prepared for a DOL Audit?

Vizance Makes Future 50 List for the Second Time

Vizance Named to Top Workplaces List; Wins Ethics Award

Changes to SBC Forms

OSHA To Delay Enforcing Crystalline Silica Standard

House Committees Release ACA Replacement Bills: The American Health Care Act