| Welcome to the first issue of
"Take 5", offering a quick look at the latest employee
benefit news and trends. This e-publication will
be distributed monthly and is intended to provide an overview of important developments and information impacting health and welfare plans. |
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1 |
HSA Contribution Guidelines Liberalized for 2007:
Newly enacted changes make it easier for participants to accumulate funds in Health Savings Accounts. Among the most significant changes enabled by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 is the ability for an HSA participant to contribute the full amount of the annual statutory maximum HSA contribution even if the insured's underlying deductible is less than the statutory maximum. This means that for 2007 the individual HSA maximum is $2,850 and the family coverage HSA maximum is $5,650, even if the insured has a deductible of less than these amounts.
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2 |
San
Francisco Sick
Leave Ordinance (Proposition F):
The City of San Francisco has passed a new ordinance (Proposition F) that guarantees paid sick leave to workers in the City and County of San Francisco. Proposition F covers full-time, part-time and temporary workers and takes effect on February 5, 2007 for workers currently employed within City limits and 90 days after date of hire for employees hired after February 5, 2007.
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3 |
Wellness Program Non-Discrimination Guidelines Issued:
On December 13, 2006 the Departments of Treasury, Labor and Health & Human Services issued joint final rules relating to non-discrimination requirements for employer sponsored wellness programs. The rules become effective for plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2007. The rules do not prohibit health factor based programs, but they do outline five criteria that must be met for such a program to meet the non-discrimination guidelines. Employers who have or who are contemplating health insurance premium surcharges related to tobacco use should view the regulations as the five criteria outlined in the rules would generally be applicable to such incentives.
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information
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