Month: May 2009

  • Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

    Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Takes Effect This Week

    On June 1, 2009, the full requirements of the land and sea phase of The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) go into effect. The rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security. 

    The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States.

    Please Note:  The WHTI-required documents are acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United States.  You may be required to present additional or different travel documents when entering foreign countries, including some countries in the Western Hemisphere.  Before you travel, make sure you know the entry requirements of the country you plan to visit. See Country Specific Information for more information on the country you are traveling to.

    For More Information

    Federal Regulations

    Other Relevant Links

     

     

  • Denial of COBRA Premium Reduction

    Application for Review of Denial of COBRA Premium Reduction

    If you or a family member has lost employment, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) may make it possible for you to keep your employment-related health coverage. ARRA provides for premium assistance for health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA).  The premium assistance is also available for continuation coverage under certain State laws. For coverage periods beginning on or after February 17, 2009, assistance eligible individuals pay only 35% of their continuation coverage premiums to the plan for the first nine months. The remaining 65% is reimbursed to the plan, employer, or health insurance issuer through a payroll tax credit.

    To be eligible for assistance, you must meet all of the following requirements:

    ·         Be eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA or a State law that provides comparable continuation coverage (for example, so-called “mini-COBRA” laws) at any time during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009;

    ·         Elect continuation coverage (when first offered or during the additional election period); and

    ·         Have a qualifying event for the continuation coverage that is the employee’s involuntary termination during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009.

    The applicant (person requesting review of a denial of premium assistance) may either be the former employee or a member of the employee’s family who is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage or the COBRA premium assistance through an employment-based health plan. The employee and his/her family members may each elect to continue health coverage under COBRA, request the premium assistance, and request a review of a denial of premium assistance.

    If Your Request is Denied

    If you believe you are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and for this premium reduction through a private sector health plan sponsored by an employer generally with at least 20 employees, but your request for these benefits or the reduced premium has been denied, you may apply to the U.S. Department of Labor to review the denial. If your continuation coverage is provided through a Federal, State or local government plan, or if it is provided pursuant to State insurance law, you should direct your request for review to the Department of Health and Human Services.

    Applying For Review: Answer all of the questions on the application to the best of your knowledge and ability. If you don’t know the answer to a question you may check the box marked “Unsure or N/A.” (N/A stands for “not applicable.”) Please include copies of any documents that you think would help the Department in its review of your application, examples of which are listed in the attached instructions. Provide your complete contact information (daytime phone number, an alternate phone number, and an email address, if available) so that the person reviewing your application can contact you with any questions or if additional information is needed. The Department of Labor will not review your denial until you submit a properly completed application form. A separate application(s) must be completed for any family member whose plan information is not identical to the information you provide. Keep a copy of the application(s) submitted for your records. Note: In the course of its review, the Department may need to share information on this application with your employer or plan administrator.

    You are encouraged to complete your application online or you can fax or mail the completed application, along with your attachments, to:

    Fax to:
    U.S. Department of Labor
    Employee Benefits Security Administration
    Attn: COBRA Appeals
    Fax number: 202.693.8849

    Mail to:
    U.S. Department of Labor
    Employee Benefits Security Administration
    Attn: COBRA Appeals
    P.O.      Box 78038
    Washington, DC 20013-9038

    For Assistance: If you have questions on how to complete this form or about eligibility for COBRA or the COBRA premium reduction, please see our web site at www.dol.gov/COBRA. You may also call a DOL benefits advisor toll-free at 1.866.444.3272. Benefits advisors can assist you with questions, but cannot complete or take your application for review by phone.

    For more information:

     

  • IRS Releases New HSA Limits

    2010 HSA Limits

    Revenue Procedure 2009-29 provides the 2010 inflation adjusted amounts for health savings accounts under section 223 of the Code.

    Annual contribution limitation. For calendar year 2010, the annual limitation on deductions under §223(b)(2)(A) for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan is $3,050. For calendar year 2010, the annual limitation on deductions under §223(b)(2)(B) for an individual with family coverage under a high deductible health plan is $6,150.

    High deductible health plan. For calendar year 2010, a “high deductible health plan” is defined under §223(c)(2)(A) as a health plan with an annual deductible that is not less than $1,200 for self-only coverage or $2,400 for family coverage, and the annual out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-payments, and other amounts, but not premiums) do not exceed $5,950 for self-only coverage or $11,900 for family coverage.

    [IRB 2009-22, June 1, 2009]

  • Postal Rates Rise

    The current cost of a first class stamp is 44 cents. The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) approved an increase in the price of a first-class stamp from 42 cents to 44 cents effective May 11, 2009.

    The Forever Stamp was reissued on May 11 at this new price. Forever Stamps that were sold for a first-class mail one-ounce letter before that date can still be used for any future one-ounce letter mailing without extra postage.

    Current prices:

    • Letters, bill payments, greeting cards - 44 cents for the first ounce
    • Postcard - 28 cents
    • Priority mail flat-rate envelope - $4.95
    • Express Mail flat-rate envelope - $17.50
    • One ounce, large envelope - 88 cents

    You may also wish to view the postage rates for stamps that do not have a value listed on them (nondenominated stamps). 

    Information on all postage rates is available from the US Postal Service.

  • H1N1 (Swine) Flu

    The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. The, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports additional cases of confirmed swine influenza and a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients.

    CDC continues to issue and update interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation. CDC will issue updated interim guidance for clinicians on how to identify and care for people who are sick with novel H1N1 flu illness. This guidance will provide priorities for testing and treatment for novel H1N1 flu infection.

    Internationally, additional countries report confirmed cases of swine flu. In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks.” 

    Swine flu is a type of virus. It’s named for a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

    There are antiviral medicines you can take to prevent or treat swine flu. There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. You can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by

    • Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
    • Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
    • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
    • Trying to avoid close contact with sick people.
    • Staying home from work or school if you are sick.

    For more information, visit: