The use of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes has grown exponentially in recent years— especially among young adults in the United States. According to the report, E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General, the use of e-cigarettes by high school students increased by 900 percent between 2011 and 2015.

The liquid used in e-cigarettes contains nicotine and other harmful chemicals, including heavy metals and carcinogens. The liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes comes in thousands of different flavors, many of which are appealing—and harmful—to children. Read More

Before being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, most people develop “pre-diabetes,” a serious medical condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal.
People with pre-diabetes often have no signs or symptoms, or don’t recognize them because they develop slowly over a period of time. Risk Factors If you are overweight and age 45 or older – You should be checked for pre-diabetes during your next routine medical office visit. If your weight is normal and you are over age 45 – You should ask your doctor during a routine office visit if testing is appropriate. Read More

Tax season is fast-approaching, which means big opportunity for scammers. Are you doing everything you can to educate your employees about these risks?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published five common tactics used by scam artists over the phone. Keep an eye out for these strategies in case you’re targeted this tax season. Phone Call Demanding Immediate Payment

The IRS will never call you demanding an immediate payment, nor will the agency call without first mailing you a paper bill. Requiring Specific Tax Payment Method
You will never be given just one option for paying your taxes. Scammers often claim that only prepaid debit cards are accepted. Read More

Due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most stand-alone health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs)—an HRA that is not offered in conjunction with a group health plan—have been prohibited since 2014. However, on Dec. 13, 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act (Act) was signed into law, which allows small employers that do not maintain group health plans to establish stand-alone HRAs, effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2017.
This new type of HRA is called a “qualified small employer HRA” (or QSEHRA). Like all HRAs, a QSEHRA must be funded solely by the employer. Employees cannot make their own contributions to an HRA, either directly or indirectly through salary reduction contributions. Specific requirements apply, including a maximum benefit limit and a notice requirement. Read More