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Employer Health Plan and HR Compliance Checklist
2025 Key Reporting Dates and Requirements As we move forward into 2025, FosterThomas is here to assist your business in remaining compliant with the ever-evolving HR and benefits regulations. To help navigate many of this year’s requirements with confidence, we are sharing a checklist of the key reporting and compliance deadlines. This resource is designed End excerpt
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DOL Overtime Rule Vacated
On November 18, 2024, a federal judge in Texas struck down the Department of Labor’s (DOL) overtime expansion rule which was set to increase the salary threshold for the “white collar” overtime exemptions in two phases and for adjustments every three years thereafter. This ruling nullifies the salary threshold increase to $58,656 which was set End excerpt
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New Administration Likely to Result in Increased I-9 Audits and Raids
The new administration is likely to have a profound impact on immigration law and enforcement come January 20. As worksite enforcement and general immigration compliance issues were a primary focus of the Trump administration’s campaign, employers can expect an increase in the enforcement of immigration compliance, particularly ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) I-9 audits and End excerpt
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Voting Leave Requirements
Election day is rapidly approaching, and it is important for companies to understand their employees’ voting leave rights. Although there is no federal law requiring organizations to give employees time off to vote during working hours, twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia do have voting leave statutes. The states currently with voting leave requirements End excerpt
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Credible Coverage & Medical Loss Ratio Rebate Updates
Credible Coverage Group health plan sponsors must disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether their prescription drug coverage is at least as good as the Medicare Part D coverage (in other words, whether their prescription drug coverage is “creditable”). Disclosure to End excerpt
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Maryland Wage Transparency & Pay Stub Information Law Takes Effect October 1, 2024
Earlier this year, Governor Wes Moore signed into law two statutes — the Wage Range Transparency Law and the Pay Stub Information Law that increase the compensation details that Maryland employers must communicate to job applicants and employees. The law takes effect on October 1, 2024. Maryland employers of any size are required to: Employers End excerpt
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Veterans-4212 report is due September 30th
This is a reminder that the Veterans-4212 report is due annually on September 30th. Â The submission of the Veterans-4212 report is required if you are a government contractor or subcontractor with contracts of $150,000 or more regardless of the number of employees. Â Federal contractors and subcontractors completing the VETS-4212 report must provide information on the End excerpt
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FTC Ban on Non-Agreements
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban on non-compete agreements, which was set to take effect nationwide on Sept. 4th, has been blocked and is now on hold. A federal judge in Texas upheld a challenge to the FTC’s rule banning non-competes, saying the government agency lacks the authority to put the ban in place and that End excerpt
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CareFirst BCBS Now Requiring Prior Authorization for Cardiology and Radiology Advanced Imaging
Please take note that CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. (collectively, “CareFirst”) are now requiring prior authorization (PA) for outpatient cardiology and radiology advanced imaging. This new PA requirement, which began July 22nd applies to fully insured commercial plans and will be implemented in partnership with EviCore, a recognized industry leader in medical benefits End excerpt
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Be Prepared for Higher I-9 Fines and More I-9 Inspections
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule imposing increased fines on employers for failure to comply with I-9 regulations. In addition to higher fines, employers should expect an increase in government I-9 inspections. The new penalty amounts will be effective for penalties assessed after June 28, 2024, whose associated violations occurred after End excerpt
