Human Resources
Health Care Reform: Coverage for Adult Children
Monday, May 24th, 2010 | Human Resources, Life & Health | No Comments
Each year in June, many young people – because of their age, student status or other factors – become ineligible as dependents on their parents’ insurance policies. Health care reform legislation will extend dependent coverage to age 26 for plan years beginning September 23, 2010. Adult children under the age of 26 are eligible even if they no longer live with their parents, are not dependents on their parents’ tax return, or are no longer students. The policy applies equally to young adults who are both married and unmarried. It does not; however, apply to those who are eligible for other group health coverage.
While this is great news, it also means that many dependents would face a coverage gap during the months before this provision is fully implemented. To help these dependents, carriers will allow young men and women to remain on their parents’ policies even before this health care reform provision takes effect. Beginning June 1, benefits will continue to be provided to dependents who – because of their age, student status or other factors – would lose coverage during the gap period between June 1, 2010, and the September 23, 2010, effective date. This extension of coverage will not be retroactive; however, dependents that aged out before June 1, 2010, can be added back onto a parent’s policy during your group’s next open enrollment period on or after September 23 in accordance with the new law.
Employers with 100 or more employees have the option to not offer this extended coverage.
The Department of Labor posted the following information explaining the dependent coverage component of the Act – Read More
I-9 Basics
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 | Human Resources | No Comments
The I-9 form is required by the Department of Homeland Security for all new employees in order to verify eligibility for employment in the United States.
New hires choose which documents to provide from specific lists that are included in the I-9 form, which can be downloaded or printed from the DHS website (FORM). Once the documents are verified for accuracy there is no need to retain a copy of the docs but if you prefer, you can keep a copy. However, if copies are kept for one person, they must be kept for everyone.
The form itself has had quite a few recent updates. The most current form was revised in August 2009 and expires in August 2012. It is important to use the most current form; however, the revision dated February 2009 is also accepted.
I-9’s must be retained for three years after the hire date, or one year after employment ends, whichever is later.
I-9 requirements are multi-faceted and there are many complexities. For specific issues check with an employment law attorney or subscribe to our consulting service – BizAssure.