Newsroom
Learn what’s going on in the news with benefits, compliance, FirstPerson, and more.
CMS Finalizes Section 1557 Rules and Supreme Court Rules on LGBTQ Rights
Over the course of a few days in June, the executive branch and the judicial branch asserted two potentially conflicting positions regarding discrimination against persons on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. On June 12, 2020, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR), issued a final rule that
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of LGBTQ+ Employment Practices
On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that employers may not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment. This decision affects all employers with 15 or more employees. The decision was a response to three separate cases, all of which were about
FirstPerson and Community Health Network Create New Partnership
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — FirstPerson and Community Health Network recently announced a partnership to create an innovative and modern approach to caring for caregivers. With the partnership comes the placement of Michelle Mahaffey as EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer as a member of the Executive Committee at Community Health Network. Michelle
The PCOR Fee Filing Deadline is July 31, 2020
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) fee, which must be paid by group health plans. We have good news for employers with fully insured group health plans: No further action is needed unless you sponsor a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), which is considered a self-funded
Senate Passes Payroll Protection Program Update Bill
On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, the Senate passed the much-anticipated Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, which was delivered by the House on Thursday of last week. The bill will move from the Senate to President Trump. The passage of this bill comes just in time for many PPP
Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
As employers take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, a new rule may change how you report employees who test positive for COVID-19. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced new guidance for employers to investigate and report cases of COVID-19 in the workplace.
IRS Announces 2021 HSA and HDHP Limits
On May 20, 2020, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2020-32, which provides the 2021 inflation-adjusted limits for HSAs and HSA-qualifying HDHPs. According to the revenue procedure, the 2021 annual HSA contribution limit will increase to $3,600 for individuals with self-only HDHP coverage, up $50 from 2020, and to $7,200 for
FirstPerson Adding Talent for Enterprise Employers, Welcomes Denny Darrow
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FirstPerson recently welcomed Denny Darrow as Vice President and Advisor. The addition of Darrow allows the firm to leverage his extensive experience leading people and change at large organizations to further advance the benefits and people strategies of enterprise firms. Darrow has more than 22 years of strategic leadership experience in human resources and employee healthcare, most recently serving as Vice
IRS Announces New COVID-19-Related Guidance for Section 125 Cafeteria Plans and Related High Deductible Health Plans, and ICHRAs
On May 12, 2020, the IRS issued Notices 2020-29 and 2020-33, which provide guidance for Section 125 plans for calendar year 2020 and related High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs), as well as Individual Choice Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). Together, the two notices relax the rules relating to election changes for
FirstPerson Expands Presence in Southwestern Indiana, Welcomes Advisor Brian Huxford
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA — Brian Huxford has joined FirstPerson as an advisor, increasing the firm’s presence in Southwestern Indiana and giving clients the benefit of Huxford’s extensive business and health and well-being experience. A military veteran who has more than 20 years of experience starting and running his own businesses, Huxford will help
Congress Enacts the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
This news update is brought to you from our national affiliate, National Financial Partners. On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the president signed HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA), which contains several different provisions (also called Acts), which are now law. The new law will have a
Proposed Federal Legislation: Families First Coronavirus Response Act
This news update is brought to you from our national affiliate, National Financial Partners. On Saturday, March 14, 2020, the House passed HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA), which contains several different provisions (also called Acts). The Senate is considering the FFCRA. This means the FFCRA
Reporting Requirements for Employers with a High Deductible Health Plan
We want to remind you about unique requirements for employers that sponsor High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) with employees contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA). If your company sponsored a HDHP in 2019 and employees established HSAs, contributions made to the HSA by your company and by employees through
W-2 Reporting Planning and Guidance
As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many employers have Form W-2 reporting requirements. As we head into a new year, we want to give you a refresher on the three requirements that you need to know. 1. Reporting the value of group health coverage provided to employees For
A Big Week in Washington for Some Key Affordable Care Act Provisions
While Washington was noisy with impeachment drama last week, four important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were quietly amended as part of the two government funding bills that were signed by President Trump on Friday, December 20. These changes are impactful to employers, and largely positive. Cadillac Tax
FirstPerson Partners with Springbuk to Host Healthiest Employers of Indiana 2019 Awards Program
INDIANAPOLIS (October 8, 2019) —FirstPerson was pleased to partner with Springbuk for Healthiest Employers of Indiana 2019. Every year, this awards program shines a spotlight on companies who invest in innovative strategies to stay ahead of the curve and ensure their top asset – their employees – are not an
FirstPerson Partners with The Old National Bank Center for Closely Held Business
INDIANAPOLIS (July 15, 2019) — The Old National Bank Center for Closely Held Business within Butler University’s Andre B. Lacy School of Business has announced 15 accredited partners to help member companies achieve their goals. The Center, serving as a strategic advisory group for closely held businesses, designed the accredited partner program to
Final HRA Rule Creates New Health Care Options for Employers
On June 13, 2019 the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services (the Departments) issued a final rule that will add flexibility to the way a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) may be used by employers. This guidance finalizes the October 2018 proposed rule, taking into account comments from
The Indianapolis Star Names FirstPerson a Winner of the Indianapolis Top Workplaces 2019 Award
INDIANAPOLIS (June 10, 2019) – FirstPerson has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2019 honor by The Indianapolis Star. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several
FirstPerson Interview Suite Captures Butler Connection
INDIANAPOLIS – FirstPerson Founder, CEO, and Owner Bryan Brenner and his wife Elaine have made a gift of $250,000 toward construction of the new building for the Andre B. Lacy School of Business, opening in August. In recognition of the gift, the Career Development Interview Suite in the new building