News Archive
Frett Barrington News Archive
Michigan to Impose a 1% Medical Claims Tax in 2012
12/28/11 - Michigan’s legislature recently passed the Health Insurance Claims Assessment (HICA) Act, which requires a 1% tax on eligible health care claims incurred by Michigan residents. The law will only apply to health plan participants who are residents of Michigan; it does not apply to non-residents who happen to receive health care services in Michigan. Click here to read our recent mailer on the topic.
Wisconsin Imputed Income Bill 207 Signed Into Law
11/04/11 - WI Governor Walker has signed Bill 203 into law. The law eliminates inconsistencies between federal and state law regarding taxation of health plan coverage for non-tax dependent children. Retroactive back to 01/01/2011, the new law eliminates WI state taxation liability for employees who are covering non-tax dependents (up to age 26). Click here for more information.
Listen to Terry Frett on the Radio - Saturday 11/05/11
11/02/11 - Terry returns as a featured guest on Business Solutions with Diane Chamness this Saturday, Nov. 5. Tune in your radio to AM 1130 at 1:00 pm to hear Terry discuss the past and future implications of federal Health Care Reform on employer-sponsored plans. You can listen to the show online by clicking here.
Attend the IRS' 10/31/11 Webinar Regarding New W-2 Health Premium Cost Reporting
10/19/11 - The IRS is providing a free webinar on 10/31/11 at 1 PM CST to address new employer requirements for reporting health coverage costs on employees' Form W-2. Companies with 250+ employees must start reporting in the 2012 tax year; companies with <250 employees begin in 2013. Register here for the webinar.
Oct. 11 - Free Employer Wellness Webinar
10/05/11 - Frett Barrington's Wellness Team will be providing a free webinar for employers on 10/11/11 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The presentation is How to Create & Implement a Workplace Wellness Program. Click here to register/ learn more.
Reform Update: Health Care Reform is Likely Headed to the Supreme Court
09/29/11 - A recent challenge from Wisconsin and 25 other states aims to force the question of whether health care reform as a whole can exist when its centerpiece-- the individual mandate-- has been declared unconstitutional. Click here to read more.
Evaluate 2012 Medicare Part D Plans Online
09/10/11 - The 2012 Open Enrollment period for Medicare Part D plans runs Oct. 15, 2011 through Dec. 7, 2011. Medicare beneficiaries can re-evaluate Part D plans online at Medicare.gov. Click here for instructions, or call us at (262)696-5010 for assistance.
Join Us October 2nd for the ALA's "Fight For Air Walk"
09/01/11 - Frett Barrington Ltd is a proud sponsor of the American Lung Association's (ALA) 2011 Fight for Air Walk, a 5K stroll around beautiful Milwaukee Count Zoo. Please consider participating as an individual or joinging our team. Registration is free; click here for more information.
Reform Update: U.S. Appellate Court Rules Health Care Reform Unconstitutional
08/15/11 - The U.S. Appeals Court in Atlanta has ruled that the Affordable Care Act’s "individual mandate" (requiring every American citizen to purchase health insurance by 2014) is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court appears to be the next stop for health care reform-- click here for more information.
Reform Update: HHS Expands Guidance for Women's Preventive Care
08/11/11 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently adopted additional guidelines for coverage of women's preventive care services under health care reform. Click here for more information.
Medicare Part D's Annual Open Enrollment Is Approaching
07/17/11 - This year's Medicare Part D open enrollment period runs from October 15th through December 7th. Don't forget to review your current Part D plan's coverage and premiums. Click here for additional information.
Reform Update: Medical Plan Cost W-2 Reporting Q&A
07/08/11 - You may already be aware of the new employer mandate for reporting medical plan costs on employee W-2s. Click here to view our recently-released Q&A on the upcoming requirement.
Join Us At The 2nd Annual ECHO Golf Outing
06/29/11 - Frett Barrington is a proud sponsor of the 2nd Annual ECHO Golf Outing at Western Lakes Golf Course on July 23, 2011. ECHO (Empowering Change through Health Opportunities) is a non-profit organization fighting childhood obesity in the Milwaukee area. Click here for more information.
Reform Update: Expanded 1099 Reporting, Health Vouchers Repealed
05/02/11 - Two provisions of The Patient Protection and Affordability Act (PPACA) were recently repealed-- the expansion of 1099 reporting for businesses and 'Free Choice' Vouchers. Click here for more information.
Reform Update: IRS Delays W-2 Reporting for Small Businesses
04/04/11 - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued new guidance which delays mandatory reporting of the cost of group health coverage on an employee’s W-2 form. This temporary relief affects small employers with fewer than 250 W-2 employees during the 2011 tax year. Click here for more information.
Reform Update: Market Effects of the New Medical Loss Ratio (MLR)
03/15/11 - Starting in January 2011, fully insured health plans must adhere to new federal Medical Loss Ratios (MLR). This has prompted a handful of carriers to withdraw from SE Wisconsin's health market entirely. Click here to view our mailer on the topic.
IRS Clarifies OTC Drug Reimbursement Procedure for HSAs and FSAs
02/04/11 - The IRS has released IRS Notice 2011-5, establishing specific steps that must be followed as of 01/01/11 for individuals to receive reimbursement for Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs from their Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account. Click here to view our recent mailer on the topic.
WI Governor Signs Bill to Eliminate State's Taxation of HSAs
01/24/11 - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has signed into law a bill eliminating income tax on health savings account (HSA) contributions. The tax code change will take effect starting with the 2011 tax year. Click here to read an overview of the bill.
Webinar Archive
10/11/11 - How to Create & Implement a Workplace Wellness Program
Wellness Coordinators Sara Miles & Melissa Van Weele discuss strategies for creating & implementing successful workplace wellness programs. Topics include:
•The benefits of establishing a workplace wellness program
•Our free Wellness Turnkey Kit for employers
•Why our office’s own award-winning wellness program works
09/28/11 - Insights Into Retiree Health Insurance
Liz Johnson discusses health insurance options for individuals age 65, or approaching age 65 and retiring early. Topics include:
• Health insurance options for individuals not yet eligible for Medicare
• Options for individuals currently entitled to Medicare (or soon to be entitled)
• Long Term Care insurance (LTCi)
Healthy U Newsletter Archive
September 2011
Ways to improve job satisfaction, and free wellness consulting services from Frett Barrington.
August 2011
The benefits of visiting your local Farmer's Markets.
July 2011
Tips for healthy eating at summer barbeques
June 2011
Sun safety tips
May 2011
Advice for Maintaining Health Blood Pressure
April 2011
Mix things up with warm weather physical activities
March 2011
A Dietary Guide to Nutrient-Rich Eating
February 2011
3 Basic Steps for Better Heart Health
January 2011
Understanding Thyroid Disorders