News

Final Rule Issued on HIPAA Privacy & Security Protections

On Jan. 17, 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule modifying the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Enforcement and Breach Notification Rules. The final rule is intended to enhance a patient's privacy protections, provide individuals new rights to their health information and strengthen the government's ability to enforce the law.

Pay or Play Guidance and Compliance Help

On Friday, December 28, 2012, the IRS released Proposed Regulations addressing issues relating to the "Play or Pay" mandates of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Related to compliance issues, we've added a couple of documents to our compliance services portfolio, in addition to webinars and the Compliancedashboard™.

EmSpring Welcomes HR & Benefits Expert to Eastern Region Team

Benefits advisory, payroll and HR technology employer services firm EmSpring Corporation recently welcomed Nicole Floyd, CPA, CAE, as HR & Benefits Consultant. Floyd will focus on the Eastern Region, which includes the greater Spokane area and parts of Idaho, joining colleague John Kernie, Regional Vice President of Sales and EmSpring's Voluntary Benefits expert, also based in Spokane.

EmSpring congratulates client Shields Bag & Printing on its new employee onsite health & wellness clinic!

Health & Wellness Clinic is Innovative Answer to Employee Care Needs

Yakima, WA, September 14, 2012 --- Family-owned Shields Bag & Printing manufacturing company opens its new onsite health and wellness clinic on September 26th.

Initial Response to Employers & the Supreme Court Decision

In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court upheld the Congressional right to tax those who do not purchase health insurance. The only surprising part of today's ruling for me was that the majority swing vote was Chief Justice Roberts and not Justice Kennedy. Be that as it may, we recognized from the start that this is health insurance reform and not health care reform.

Texting: Are you protecting ePHI?

A small surgery practice in Arizona violated HIPAA privacy rules and the Department of Health and Human Services set a new precedent for guarding electronic protected health information (ePHI). HHS noted HIPAA privacy violations and few safeguards to protect patient ePHI.

Legislative Alert: DOL Proposes Regulations on Military Family Leave

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Act) expanded the FMLA's military family leave provisions. Proposed regulations implement many of the FMLA's statutory requirements for military family leave. They also interpret some of the military family leave provisions.

EmSpring Legislative Brief: Health Care Reform Here to Stay

Obama’s victory in the election, last summer’s Supreme Court decision upholding the health care reform law, and continued Democratic control of the Senate means that implementation of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act will continue without additional political roadblocks. What does that mean for employers and their employees?

DOL Issues Mental Health Parity FAQs

Last month, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) geared toward an employee audience. The FAQs are also helpful for employers subject to MHPAEA because they provide an overview of MHPAEA’s parity requirements.

HHS Issues Guidance, New Details on State Exchanges

Embattled though it may be, the PPACA (Health Care Reform) keeps moving forward. DHHS’s latest guidance provides details on legal and operational musts for states. States must submit their operational proposals no later than November 16, 2012, the established deadline.