Legal Updates & Reminders… June 25: NC Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill expanding opportunities for employment of individuals with criminal records (no more than 3 Class H or I felonies and any misdemeanors), by shielding employers from negligent hiring claims if they relied on the ‘certificate of relief’ given to these individuals by the …

On June 19, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published Frequently Asked Questions About Association Health Plans (AHPs) and issued a final rule that broadens the definition of “employer” and the provisions under which an employer group or association may be treated as an “employer” sponsor of a single multiple-employer employee welfare benefit plan and group health plan …

The Benefit Company would like to offer this reminder of the Georgia Hands-Free Law that will take effect on July 1st  . . . On July 1, 2018 Georgia’s Hands-Free Law takes effect. It is important for us and for our family members to understand the new law, as well as for companies to understand …

Legal Updates and Reminders: May 17, 2018: The South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act was signed into law. This law amends the SC Human Affairs Law, and requires SC employers with 15 or more employees to make facilities readily accessible for and provide reasonable accommodations to employees with “medical needs arising from pregnancy, childbirth, or related …

What follows is an informational press release from United Healthcare regarding their negotiations with CHOA’s Physicians Group.  The Benefit Company will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as soon as they become available.    Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Physicians’ Contract Negotiation Update with United Healthcare   We want to let you know that …

By Jack W. Bruce, SPHR, SHRM-SCP As a credentialed HR professional, I take note of any sweeping statement attempting to put us in pigeonholes — particularly if they lump us together with some unfavorable trait. At a recent gathering, I heard the speaker confidently refer to HR as the “Business Preventive Group.” What this speaker …

Graciously accepting the Principal of the year award was John Hearn, Principal of The Benefit Company, and UBA Board Secretary and Treasurer. John humbly and modestly acknowledged the recognition for his countless hours of dedicated service to the Partnership. But in true UBA fashion, John respectfully declined the award to recognize his fellow UBA peer …

Recently, 60 Minutes hosted an expose’ about healthcare cost increases which are driven by waste/price manipulation in the pharmaceutical industry.  Please click on the below link to view a brief/informative documentary on the subject,.   https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-problem-with-prescription-drug-prices/   You may want to know what strategies can be deployed to address this issue. First, every employer’s situation …

Legal and Regulatory Updates: EEO-1 Filing: Initially postponed from September 2017 until March 31, 2018, the filing deadline has now been extended to June 1, 2018 for employers required to file one. Fully-Staffed NLRB (finally): On April 11, the U.S. Senate confirmed Republican John Ring as a member of the NLRB, and he was quickly …

We are pleased to let you know that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. (collectively “BCBSGa”) have reached a new multi-year agreement with Piedmont Healthcare, Inc. and Piedmont Clinic Physician Practices (collectively “Piedmont”).   The thousands of businesses and 3.5 million consumers we …