Blood sugar refers to the amount of glucose in your blood. Knowing and managing your blood sugar level can help prevent a variety of health problems.

Why Is It Important?

Glucose is the sugar your body uses for energy, metabolism and proper brain function. The body needs blood sugar to stay at a relatively consistent level, and regulates this level through hormones. An anabolic hormone called insulin decreases the level of glucose, while catabolic hormones raise your level. Too high or too low blood sugar can cause many severe health problems. Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose is too high, as a result of your body not producing or absorbing enough insulin.

Normal Glucose Levels

For non-diabetics, a normal glucose level is between 70 and 110 mg/dL (or up to 125 mg/dL shortly after eating). Normal levels for a diabetic are generally between 90 and 130 mg/dL (up to 180 mg/dL after meals). Read More

In late February, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2015-17, which offers guidance on the prohibition of employer payment plans. These plans are arrangements that pay for or reimburse premiums for individual health plans.

The notice reiterates that employer payment plans are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions that took effect in 2014. However, the notice also states that an increase in employee compensation, not conditional on the employee’s purchase of individual health insurance, is not considered an employer payment plan.

The notice clarifies confusion caused by some employers’ interpretations of Revenue Ruling 61-146 as support for employer payment plans. To counter the misinterpretation, the notice stated that this ruling does not address the application of the ACA’s market reforms and therefore should not be read as though it does.

Violating these ACA provisions can result in an excise tax of $100 per employee for each day that an employer is out of compliance.

The notice also provides information regarding transitional relief from the fines. Employers that are not applicable large employers (ALEs) under the ACA’s employer shared responsibility rules, as well as S corporation health care arrangements for 2-percent shareholder-employees, may be eligible for transition relief. The transition relief is available to eligible employers on a temporary basis until June 30, 2015. After that date, employers that are not in compliance may be liable for the excise tax.

The relief is not included for stand-alone HRAs or arrangements that cover employees’ medical expenses other than insurance premiums. Read More

Now that benefits open enrollment is finished, you may want to consider dusting off your employee handbooks for an annual review. Regularly reviewing employment policies and procedures is becoming increasingly important as workplace legislation and regulations continue to change.

Here are some things to consider when reviewing your employee handbook:

• Make sure that internal company policies and procedures are in line with actual practice. A policy that is not consistently enforced as it is written can become problematic if your organization is ever faced with litigation.
• Ensure that policies on harassment, discrimination, leave, drugs and alcohol, sexual harassment and background checks are updated to reflect the most current federal and state laws.
• Review the language in the handbook to ensure that your organization maintains flexibility in interpreting and applying policies. Wherever possible, use general language (such as “may,” “typically,” etc.) in place of more limiting language.
• Make sure that the handbook includes a clear statement that the employment relationship is not a contract but “at will” and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
• Determine if there are any local or state-specific policies that must be added or updated, such as paid sick leave.
• Consider updating the format and tone of the handbook to be consistent with desired company culture.

The above are suggested starting points and not an all-inclusive list of things that you should consider. It is important for the handbook review to be a collaborative process that includes not only your human resources department, but also the managers and supervisors who are enforcing and interpreting the policies on a daily basis.

Lastly, it is highly recommended that you have legal counsel review your organization’s employee handbook. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has recently claimed that many employer policies relating to employee conduct and social media are unlawful, which can result in terminated employees being reinstated and given back pay. Having an employment lawyer review the handbook can help your organization avoid costly litigation. 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.

If you are under age 45 and overweight – Your doctor should recommend testing if you have any other risk factors for diabetes, including: Read More