| Cobra |
Compliance Resources |
| Department of Labor Cobra Web Page With Forms |
| IRS COBRA Audit Guidelines |
|
In March 2012, the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) published its revised audit
guidelines for COBRA audits. The revised guidelines are the result of a
10-year task force review. The publication of these guidelines suggests that
the IRS is increasing its focus on COBRA compliance.
|
| Cobra Administration Flow Chart |
| This document flow charts the Cobra process. |
| Louisiana Cobra Chart Updated 2013 |
| This document contrasts Cobra and Louisiana Continuation, providing requirements of each. |
| FMLA |
| Compliance Resources |
| DOL Updates Model FMLA Forms |
|
The DOL recently updated many of its model FMLA forms to
reflect changes to the law that became effective since the forms were last
revised in early 2009. Employers that use the model forms should start using
the DOL's updated models. Employers that have developed their own forms should
review the DOL's updated models to make sure their own forms contain the
necessary information.
|
| Status of DOL's Model FMLA Forms |
Issues with the model forms’ expiration dates have led to some confusion. This Brown & Brown of Louisiana
Legislative Brief clarifies the current status of the DOL’s model FMLA forms.
|
| DOL Proposes Regulations on Military Family Leave |
| On January 30th, the Department of Labor released proposed regulations under the Family and Medical Leave Act. |
| FMLA Comparison Chart for Louisiana |
| This document outlines and compares Federal and State FMLA requirements. |
| Hipaa |
| Compliance Resources |
| Compliance Steps for the Final HIPAA Rule |
|
On Jan. 25, 2013, the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final
rule under HIPAA's administrative simplification provisions. The final
rule updates HIPAA's privacy, security, enforcement and breach notification
requirements, and includes changes required by the Health Information
Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act).
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| Final Rule Issued on HIPAA Privacy and 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.
|
| Mental Health Parity |
| Compliance Resources |
| Mental Health Parity – Compliance Overview FAQs |
|
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
(MHPAEA) was signed into law on Oct. 3, 2008, and became effective for plan
years beginning on or after Oct. 3, 2009. MHPAEA greatly expanded on an earlier
law, the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 (MHPA ‘96). MHPAEA generally applies
to group health plans and health insurance issuers that provide coverage for
mental health/substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits.
However, MHPAEA does not apply to small employers that have fewer than 51
employees.
On
Feb. 2, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the
Treasury jointly issued interim
final regulations implementing MHPAEA, which became applicable for plan
years beginning on or after July 1, 2010. In May 2012, the Department of Labor
(DOL) issued the following set of frequently asked questions (FAQs), which are
geared toward an employee audience. The FAQs contain basic information about MHPAEA's
parity in coverage requirements for employment-based plans with mental health
and/or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits. |
The resources in this Compliance Center are a small sample of what Brown & Brown of Louisiana can offer Employee Benefit Clients. Please contact your Brown & Brown Representative for printable versions of these documents and access to your own extensive online compliance library.
