Individual Mandate Penalty Cap

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most individuals to either obtain acceptable health insurance coverage for themselves and their family members or pay a penalty. This rule is often referred to as the individual mandate. The individual mandate went into effect beginning 2014.

The penalty amount for not having health coverage is the greater of two amounts: Read More

February is Low Vision Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of taking care of your eyes and catching problems before you lose vision. Aside from annual eye exams, you can protect your eyes on a daily basis with a few healthy choices. Eat right. Eating a healthy diet is as important for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. A few foods that are especially good for eye health include vegetables such as spinach, kale and collard greens, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna. Read More

On Dec. 18, 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released an opinion allowing a worker to file a discrimination claim based on the individual’s gender identity, including transgender status. In a reversal of a previous finding, the DOJ decided that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act extends to discrimination claims based on an individual’s gender identity, including transgender status. Title VII prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin when making employment decisions. Read More 

On Dec. 22, 2014, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury (Departments) released proposed regulations regarding the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC). The proposed regulations would amend the final SBC regulations from Feb. 14, 2012. Also released were a proposed SBC template, instructions, uniform glossary and other materials. According to the Departments, the proposed changes are designed to improve consumers’ access to important health plan information, as well as to provide clarifications that will make it easier for group health plans and health insurance issuers to comply with the SBC requirement. Read More