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	<title>Focus Benefits Group, LLC</title>
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	<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com</link>
	<description>Bringing Focus To The Confusion Of Insurance</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 17:23:20 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<item>
		<title>Compliance Alert &#8211; Health Exchange Notice and Revised COBRA Notice Released</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2013/05/compliance-alert-health-exchange-notice-and-revised-cobra-notice-released/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2013/05/compliance-alert-health-exchange-notice-and-revised-cobra-notice-released/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 17:23:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA election notice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Model notice to employees of coverage options]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Notice of health insurance marketplace]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3655</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On May 8, 2013, the Department of Labor issued guidance in Technical Release 2013-02 on the Model Notice to Employees of Coverage Options in the Health Insurance Marketplace.  The guidance applies to all employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Starting on January 1, 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Employment Eligibility Form I-9 Updated</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2013/04/employment-eligibility-form-i-9-updated/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2013/04/employment-eligibility-form-i-9-updated/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:44:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Form I-9 compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[I-9 Form]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3626</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published an updated version of Form I-9, the form employers use to verify the identity and authorization of their employees to work in the United States.  The new form was published on March 8, 2013.  Employers may start using the new form right now but have to do [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NEW FMLA Poster Required by March 8, 2013</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2013/03/new-fmla-poster-required-by-march-8-2013/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2013/03/new-fmla-poster-required-by-march-8-2013/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:35:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FMLA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FMLA Poster]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3611</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division released final regulations relating to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) on February 6, 2013.  As background, FMLA applies to employers employing 50 or more employees and provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in the event of certain life events, such as birth or [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan Stops Taking Applications</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2013/02/pre-existing-condition-insurance-plan-stops-taking-applications/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2013/02/pre-existing-condition-insurance-plan-stops-taking-applications/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:12:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pre-existing condition insurance plan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3600</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Beginning February 16, 2013, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) in the state of Arizona is suspending acceptance of new enrollment applications until further notice.  In Arizona, the PCIP is run by the federal government.  The enrollment suspension will take effect immediately in 23 states where the federal government runs the program.  PCIP programs that [...]]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>COBRA Denials and Gross Misconduct</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/09/cobra-denials-and-gross-misconduct/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/09/cobra-denials-and-gross-misconduct/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:43:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA basics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA denials and gross misconduct]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3373</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When an employer has an employee who has been terminated for gross misconduct, an employer does not have to offer COBRA continued health coverage to the employee, spouse or dependents who were covered under the company&#8217;s health plan.  However, denial of COBRA coverage based on gross misconduct is uncommon.  COBRA laws and rules do not [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Employers &#8211; Prepare for a Health Care Reform Audit Now</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/09/employers-prepare-for-a-health-care-reform-audit-now/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/09/employers-prepare-for-a-health-care-reform-audit-now/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:19:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[compliance with health care reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care reform audit]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3341</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Starting in 2012, the Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will begin to administer health plan audits to examine employer compliance with health care reform. &#160; The following health care reform requirements need to be in effect for health plans &#160; 1.    Grandfathered plans (plans in effect as of March 23, 2010) will [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Is Your Business Ready for Health Care Reform?</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/07/is-your-business-ready-for-health-care-reform/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/07/is-your-business-ready-for-health-care-reform/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:49:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employers and health care reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care reform]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3146</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court has made their decision on the health care reform law by upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act and the individual mandate to purchase health insurance.  So what action do employers need to take now? &#160; Employers need to be ready for these provisions now &#160; Women&#8217;s Preventive Care  &#8211; August [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/07/is-your-business-ready-for-health-care-reform/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Medical Loss Ratio Rebate Overview for Employers</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/07/medical-loss-ratio-rebate-overview-for-employers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/07/medical-loss-ratio-rebate-overview-for-employers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:55:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical loss ratios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLR]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3200</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is the Medical Loss Ratio Rebate? &#160; The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rule of the Affordable Care Act requires insurance carriers to spend at least 80% of premium dollars on medical expenses such as claims, services and wellness programs that improve healthcare quality.  The remaining 20% is used to pay administrative costs, broker fees, [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Supreme Court Rules Health Care Reform Law Constitutional</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/07/supreme-court-rules-healthcare-reform-law-constitutional/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/07/supreme-court-rules-healthcare-reform-law-constitutional/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:57:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[constitutionality of PPACA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supreme Court rules healthcare reform law constitutional]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=3129</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court&#8217;s decision on June 28, 2012  to uphold President Obama’s health care reform law will go down in the history books as a crucial point for health care access in the United States.   In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice Roberts stated that the taxing clause of the Constitution allows Congress to impose the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/07/supreme-court-rules-healthcare-reform-law-constitutional/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>W-2 Reporting Requirements Update for Employers</title>
		<link>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/06/w-2-reporting-requirements-update-for-employers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.focusbenefits.com/index.php/2012/06/w-2-reporting-requirements-update-for-employers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus Benefits Flash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRS W-2 reporting guidelines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W-2 reporting of health coverage costs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W-2 reporting requirement]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.focusbenefits.com/?p=1827</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The health care reform law originally required employers to report the cost of coverage under an employer-sponsored group health plan.  In October 2010, the IRS made this requirement optional for all employers for the 2011 Forms W-2 (generally furnished to employees in January 2012). &#160; On January 4, 2012 the IRS released additional guidance on [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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