On May 2, 2016, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published guidance for employers regarding bathroom access rights for transgender employees. In its guidance, the EEOC states that denying transgender employees the right to use the bathroom that corresponds with…

On April 29, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2016-28 to announce the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2017. These limits include: The maximum HSA contribution limit; The…

As reported by the Union Leader, Monadnock Community Hospital has joined the Minuteman Health provider network effective April 2016. “We are proud to be able to partner with Minuteman to be able to provide another high quality cost effective option…

On April 12, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Procedure 2016-24 to index the contribution percentages in 2017 for purposes of determining the affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning…

The New Hampshire Department of Insurance has recently redesigned their resource site comparing pricing and quality of health care services in New Hampshire - http://nhhealthcost.nh.gov. Updates to the NH HealthCost website include: Costs: 31 new medical procedure costs Dental cost…

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a proposed rule that would overhaul overtime wage payment in the United States. The new rule would more than double the salary threshold that employees must meet to qualify for overtime wage payment…

On March 9, 2016, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed H. 187 into law, requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. Vermont employers with six or more employees will be required to provide paid sick leave effective Jan. 1,…

St. Joseph is joining Harvard Pilgrim’s Elevate Health network and Benevera, a population health care company aimed at improving the quality and cost of health care in New Hampshire. Elevate Health is a non-profit, defined-network product that offers health coverage…

Effective 3/1/16, Community Health Options (CHO) has announced that First Health Network providers in New Hampshire who have not agreed to a direct provider contract with CHO will be considered Out Of Network providers. For members who had a visit…

Employers have new challenges to contend with in 2016 resulting from Supreme Court decisions, federal and state legislation, and actions by federal regulatory agencies. Five important issues that should be closely monitored in 2016 include: 1. Overtime Rule Change: The…

Tufts Health Freedom Plan (THFP) announced they have received approval from the New Hampshire Insurance Department to quote large (50+ full time/full time equivalent) employers with effective dates starting 3/1/16. THFP options include both Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) and Preferred…

In 2015, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) conducted their annual survey to examine employer-sponsored health benefits trends. Some of the main takeaways from the 2015 survey include: Employer-Sponsored Coverage Approximately 57 percent of…