Benefits Think

Last week, we took a peek into the future and saw that 2014 could hold some scary consequences for employers that offer health benefits deemed “unaffordable” under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

I know nothing gets you going on a Friday like news from the IRS, so here you go: IRS Notice 2010-38, which outlines tax guidelines for extending health plan eligibility to dependents up to age 26.

There are outstanding workplaces with prodigious employee benefit packages all over the world, judging from the Great Places to Work Institute’s recent eighth annual conference in Los Angeles, where about 20 employers of choice shared their respective grand visions.

I know you pros aren’t huge fans of the pay or play provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; truth be told, I’m right there with you.

There’s no disputing the success of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser”: huge ratings, successful DVD sales and the fact that Jillian Michaels and Bill Germanakos now are household names.

Of course, we’re all appropriately outraged by last week’s explosive news that WellPoint was actively targeting members who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, with the intent to expose fraud and therefore have cause to cancel the women’s insurance policies.

As I shopped earlier today with reusable grocery bags and dropped glass, plastic and paper products into my recycling bin at home, I felt good about doing my part – on Earth Day, no less! – to help the planet.

Good policy, good PR, or both? UnitedHealthcare announced yesterday that it will extend the health coverage that graduating college students currently have under their parents' plans until the new health reform provision requiring dependent coverage up to age 26 is fully implemented – a full four months ahead of when they’re required to do so.

Ouida Peterson is to benefits what Paula Deen is to cooking – except maybe without all the sugar and butter. Don’t let the charming Southern drawl fool you.

The topic of today’s web exclusive at BenefitNews.com — that one Fortune 500 company saw health care costs soar after laying off 10% of its workforce — made me think of a recent trip I took to the park with my kids.