Employer Strategies

Though January is just another month on the calendar, it is filled with hope - and sometimes, with trepidation. So in keeping with that spirit, here are some thoughts on what is likely to happen this year.

In a year replete with bad news, one of the most encouraging pieces of good news in 2010 was an uptick in the rate of growth of consumer-directed health plans. By the end of this year, more than 60% of U.S. employers are expected to offer a CDHP, according to a July 2010 GAO report.

President Obama recently signed into law the Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010, which exempts health care providers, attorneys and certain other service providers from provisions of the Red Flags Rule to combat identity theft.

The start of the New Year ushers in a series of new regulatory, compliance and legislative changes that could potentially affect every small business.

The Department of Health and Human Services recently issued proposed regulations that could require health insurers to publicly disclose and explain substantial health insurance premium increases.

Experts at PwC’s Health Research Institute weigh in on the top issues of 2011 that will take front and center for the health care industry.

In 2010, more employees were asked to do more with less, which can create a work environment where some employees become addicted to work.

The Internal Revenue Service issued new guidance allowing the continued use of flexible spending arrangement and health reimbursement arrangement debit cards for the purchase of prescribed over-the-counter medicines and drugs.

The Internal Revenue Service recently released instructions to help employers implement the 2011 cut in payroll taxes that were included as part of the tax cut legislation passed by Congress, along with new income-tax withholding tables that employers will use during 2011.

U.S. employees frequently are transferred to foreign affiliates to obtain experience and to bring home local knowledge from foreign countries. Conversely, employees are transferred from foreign affiliates to U.S. headquarters for similar reasons.