Affordable Care Act's One-Year Anniversary Marks Better Benefits, Better Health for Small Businesses

This week, as the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [HHS] marks the one-year anniversary of enactment of the Affordable Care Act, it also kicks off its Better Benefits, Better Health Initiative. This initiative will highlight the important information that consumers, families and businesses need in order to optimize the far-reaching benefits of reform.

HHS is kicking off the initiative by highlighting some important information for small-business owners. Small-business owners and their employees have always gotten the short end of the stick, paying an average of 18% more for insurance that often covers less than the policies sold to their larger competitors. And small businesses lack the purchasing power that larger employers have.

That's all changing, thanks to the health-care law signed by President Obama one year ago. Thankfully, the Affordable Care Act is helping small-business owners get quality, affordable coverage for their families and their employees.

Here are some important things to know:

* If you own a small business with fewer than 25 fulltime-equivalent employees, you may qualify for a small-business tax credit to help offset the costs of covering your employees. Small-business owners can visit www.irs.gov/sbhtc to learn more.

* HHS estimates that up to 4 million small businesses could be eligible to receive these tax credits to make employees’ health coverage more affordable. And the tax credits will be worth a combined total of $40 billion over ten years.

* Employer-based plans that provide health insurance to retirees ages 55-64 can get financial help through the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. This program is designed to maintain health coverage for retirees, workers, and employers. Visit http://www.errp.gov/ to learn more.

* If one of your workers has been uninsured because of a pre-existing condition, he or she may be eligible to join the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. To find out about plans available in your state, please visit: http://www.pcip.gov/.

* If you are in a new insurance plan, insurance companies cannot charge you or your workers a deductible or copays for recommended preventive services; e.g., mammograms, flu shots. Click here to find a list of preventive services that will be covered without copays.

In addition, insurance companies are prohibited from capping the dollar amount of care that you or your employees can receive in a lifetime, or dropping coverage due to an honest mistake on an application when someone gets sick. And they have to spend at least 80% of your premium dollars on health care and quality improvements, instead of overhead, salaries or administrative expenses -- or provide you and your workers a rebate.

To learn more about the specific provisions of the Affordable Care Act, visit: http://1.usa.gov/ProvisionsACA.

SOURCES: HealthCare.gov [photo], IRS.gov, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, White House
____________________

Save 20% Off QuickBooks Premier Accounting Software + Free Shipping. ^AF

Employers Gain Access to Database to Recruit Workers With Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, today made available the 2011 Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities database. This resource is intended to assist federal and private-sector employers in identifying workers with disabilities.

The more than 2,200 candidates in this year's database represent all academic backgrounds and are working toward, or recently earned, associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral or law degrees. Students have been interviewed by recruiters from various federal agencies. Some seek summer employment, while others are looking for regular, full-time positions.

"This database is filled with talented students who are highly motivated to prove their skills in the workplace," said ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez [pictured].

To take advantage of the new database, federal officials can visit http://www.wrp.gov/ to register and search independently for candidates who meet their hiring needs. They also can track the status of candidates they are interested in interviewing, including whether they already have been hired.

Private-sector employers can search the program's database through ODEP's national Employer Assistance & Resource Network by making a toll-free telephone call to 866-327-6669, or filling out a request form at http://www.earnworks.com/.

More than 20 federal agencies regularly utilize the Workforce Recruitment Program as a recruiting tool, and it has provided employment opportunities for more than 5,500 students since 1995. The program supports President Obama's executive order titled "Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities."

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor
____________________

Easier Invoicing. Faster Payments. AcceptPay® from American Express OPEN®.

SBA Administrator Explains Important Health Care Tax Credit Info for Small Businesses

Administrator Karen Mills [pictured], of the U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA], has just written an open letter to small-business owners across the United States, explaining the immediate benefits available to small businesses as part of the Affordable Care Act.

Following, is the full text of her letter:

* * *

Dear Small-Business Owner,

For decades, access to affordable health insurance has been the No. 1 concern of small-business owners. To help you address that concern and provide quality, affordable coverage for your employees, the new Affordable Care Act gives you a number of new tools and benefits.

The most immediate benefit you should know about is the tax credit to help you pay for up to 35 percent of your employee premiums starting this tax year. An estimated 4 million small businesses may qualify for these tax credits, totaling about $40 billion over the next 10 years. Go here to learn more about the tax credit, including new information that explains how this federal credit is in addition to state-level credits you might receive, and how dental and vision coverage are also eligible for the federal credit.

The Affordable Care Act also included reporting requirements if you pay another business $600 or more, starting with 2013 filings. Small-business groups have voiced concerns about the possible burden this places on people like you. That’s why the IRS is already planning to exempt from this requirement your transactions that use credit and debit cards.

Also, the IRS, SBA and others in the Administration are looking for additional ways to minimize burdens and avoid duplicative reporting. We welcome your comments and input as we move forward together to address implementation issues under the new law.

Over the last 16 months, this Administration has taken steps to provide tax relief that puts more money in the hands of small-business owners like you -- including write-offs for new equipment, credits for hiring unemployed workers, and capital-gains exclusions for small-business investors. We know that sensible tax relief like this will help you grow your business, create new jobs, and continue drive America’s economic recovery.

With warm regards,

Karen Mills

* * *

For detailed information about the new Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, visit IRS.gov: http://bit.ly/SmallBizTaxCredit.

SOURCES: Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Small Business Administration, The White House
____________________

Start Your Fitness Resolution Today -- Anywhere. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

New Report Highlights Specifics of How Health Insurance Reform Will Reduce Costs for Small Businesses

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius [pictured] today released a new report, "Lower Premiums, Stronger Businesses: How Health Insurance Reform Will Bring Down Costs for Small Businesses." The report outlines the many ways in which health insurance reform will lower health care costs for small businesses, and is available now at HealthReform.gov [http://www.healthreform.gov/].

"Small businesses drive our economy and create jobs, but they are struggling as health care costs continue to rise," Secretary Sebelius said. "The high cost of care is making it difficult or impossible for these businesses to offer care or grow their business. Health insurance reform will bring costs down and give small businesses the relief they need."

The report notes:

* Small businesses, the backbone of job creation in our economy, are disproportionately burdened by the financial strains caused by rising health care costs. On average, small businesses pay up to 18 percent more than large firms for the same health insurance policy. This difference is due, in part, to high broker fees [which can be up to 10 percent of premiums] and health plan administrative costs that are three times those in the large-group market.

* In a recent national survey, nearly three-quarters of small businesses that did not offer benefits cited high premiums as the reason.

* Nearly half of workers covered by a small-business employer have insurance that limits the total amount that the plan will pay for medical care, and nearly one in 10 small-business workers have a health plan that does not offer prescription drug coverage.

* Workers in small firms are more likely to shoulder burdensome out-of-pocket health care costs. Thirty-six percent spent more than 10 percent of their household income on out-of-pocket medical expenses in 2007, compared with 27 percent of workers in larger firms.

Health insurance reform will bring down costs for small businesses by creating a health insurance exchange; providing a small-business tax credit; ending the "hidden tax" on small businesses that provide health insurance; and preventing arbitrary premium hikes. Reform will also ensure that Americans have stable, secure insurance coverage, limit out-of-pocket spending, and eliminate caps on benefits.

To learn more about how health insurance reform will benefit small businesses and read the complete report, visit http://bit.ly/LowPremiumsStrongBiz.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
____________________

Report. Visualize. Act. Get the industry-leading report design and visualization solution, and gain a clearer view of your business.

Sebelius, Mills Release New Report, 'Insurance at Risk: Small Business Employees Risk Losing Coverage'

Secretary of Health and Human Services [HHS] Kathleen Sebelius [pictured] and Small Business Administration [SBA] Administrator Karen Mills today released a new report, "Insurance at Risk: Small Business Employees Risk Losing Coverage."

The report examines the health-care status quo that has left employees at risk of losing their insurance, and underscores the financial difficulties small businesses face when providing health insurance to their employees. The complete report, along with a list of sources cited, is available now at http://bit.ly/HealthReformSmallBiz.

"More Americans who work for a small business have lost their health insurance coverage, and those who still have coverage have seen their costs go up," said Sebelius. "Health insurance reform will drive costs down and make it easier for small-business owners to give their employees the quality coverage they need."

"The cost of health insurance is the No. 1 concern of small-business owners," Mills noted. "On average, small businesses pay 18 percent more than big businesses for the same health insurance policy. This has left small-business owners in an untenable situation, having to choose between their employees -- who are often like family to them -- and the bottom line. Health care reform will provide small-business owners with greater access to the affordable, quality coverage they want and need for themselves and their employees."

The new report notes:

* Employees of small businesses are 50 percent more likely to lose coverage as workers at large businesses. Half of workers in small firms that do not offer health benefits remain uninsured.

* Premiums for employer-based health insurance have more than doubled since 2000, rising three times faster than wages. As a result, fewer small businesses provide coverage for their employees. In 2000, 57 percent of firms employing fewer than 10 workers provided coverage. In 2009, only 46 percent of similar-sized firms provided coverage.

* In one national survey, nearly three-quarters of small businesses that did not offer benefits cited high premiums as the reason; and, on average, small businesses pay up to 18 percent more than large firms for the same health insurance policy. This is due, in part, to high broker fees [which can be up to 10 percent of premiums] and health plan administrative costs that are three to four times those in the large-group market.

Health insurance reform will stabilize health insurance coverage for Americans who work for small businesses, and provide small businesses with tax credits to help them provide health insurance for their employees. This will make health care more affordable for small businesses and their workers, solidifying and strengthening employer-based coverage for years to come.

Health insurance reform will also create a health insurance exchange, so that Americans without access to affordable insurance on the job can compare prices and health plans, and decide which quality affordable option is right for them. The exchange will also significantly reduce administrative costs for small businesses by enabling them to easily and simply compare the prices, benefits, and performance of health plans.

To learn how the current system has failed millions of Americans, and what President Obama’s Administration is doing to work with Congress to enact comprehensive health reform this year, check out these Web-based resources:

* Online Series on Health Reform: http://bit.ly/HealthReformOnline

* White House Reports on Health Reform: http://bit.ly/WhiteHouseHealthReform

* Health Insurance Reform Reality Check: http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/

* Video: "Reform Will Benefit Small Business -- Not Burden It": http://bit.ly/RealityCheckSmallBiz

* How Health Insurance Reform Will Help Small Business: http://bit.ly/HealthReformHelpSmallBiz

* Council of Economic Advisers Report, "The Economic Effects of Health Care Reform on Small Businesses and Their Employees": http://bit.ly/EconomicEffectsSmallBiz

SOURCES: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Small Business Administration, White House
____________________

QuickBooks Online: Small-Business Accounting Made Easy. Sign Up Free Here!

CDC Introduces New Website to Help Employers Combat Obesity and Reduce Health-Related Costs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] today unveiled LEAN Works!, a website designed to help businesses address obesity. LEAN stands for Leading Employees to Activity and Nutrition. The new website was announced at a National Business Group on Health [NBGH] meeting in Washington, D.C.

"CDC LEAN Works! was developed in direct response to organizations asking CDC for help in addressing the obesity epidemic. Specifically they wanted to know what interventions were effective in helping employees maintain a healthy weight," said William Dietz, M.D., Ph.D., director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. "CDC has identified science-based interventions that work to prevent and control obesity. CDC LEAN Works! provides the tools that employers need to take action."

The free website was developed particularly for small and mid-size companies, which typically have more limited resources to devote to obesity prevention efforts. However, the tools and resources available on CDC LEAN Works! can benefit companies of any size. CDC LEAN Works! can help employers calculate the cost of obesity for their organizations, and develop tailored approaches to help control these costs through interventions such as fitness classes, lunchtime health education sessions, weight management programs, and more.

The website provides a variety of resources to employers, including:

* An obesity cost calculator where employers can input employee demographic data to estimate the total costs associated with obesity, and determine annual obesity-related medical costs for their companies.

* Information and resources to help employers plan, build, promote and assess interventions to combat obesity.

* Information on how employers can estimate return on investment -- a measure of the cost of an intervention, compared to the expected financial return of the intervention.

Obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Obese individuals spend 77 percent more money for necessary medications than non-obese persons.

"Obesity affects more than just health-care costs. It also has a significant impact on worker productivity, because the more chronic diseases employees have, the more likely they are to be absent from work, or less productive if they come to work sick," said Janet Collins, Ph.D., director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Because organizations do not usually publish information about their worksite programs in the scientific literature, CDC visited select businesses to identify promising worksite obesity prevention and control practices. The CDC LEAN Works! website provides case studies from some of those businesses to provide examples of successful worksite obesity prevention programs.

"Workplace obesity prevention programs can be an effective way for employers to reduce obesity and lower their health-care costs, lower absenteeism and increase employee productivity," said Dr. Dietz. Employers may also see other indirect benefits when they implement these programs, such as improved employee morale, increased worker retention, and improved recruitment of new employees.”

To learn more about CDC LEAN Works!, visit http://www.cdc.gov/leanworks.

For more information about CDC’s efforts to combat obesity, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
____________________

Quicken Medical Expense Manager 2.0 Makes It Easier to Manage Your Health Care Paperwork.

HHS Secretary Sebelius: Women and Small Businesses Pay 'Particularly High Price' Under Current Health Care System

Health and Human Services [HHS] Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Tina Tchen, director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, hosted a roundtable discussion yesterday with women small-business owners and discussed the urgent need for health care reform.

At the meeting, Sebelius also released a new report, "Roadblocks to Health Care: Why the Current Health Care System Does Not Work For Women." The report shows how our current system is leaving millions of women without the affordable, quality care they need and can be read at http://www.HealthReform.gov/. The new report and roundtable came as America celebrates National Women’s Health Week.

"All Americans are suffering under the current system, but women and small businesses are paying a particularly heavy price," said Secretary Sebelius. "Millions of women are uninsured, and small businesses are struggling to give their workers the care they need and deserve. We can’t wait to pass comprehensive health care reform and give women -- and all Americans – the health care system we need."

According to the just-released "Roadblocks to Health Care" report:

* 21 million women and girls are uninsured;

* In the individual insurance market, women are often charged higher premiums than men during their reproductive years. Holding other factors constant, a 22-year-old woman can be charged one and-a-half times the premium of a 22-year-old man; and

* In a recent national survey, more than half of women [52 percent] reported delaying or avoiding needed care because of cost, compared with 39 percent of men.

"Across the country, women and girls are going without care or paying too much for inadequate coverage," added Director Tchen. "President Obama and the White House Council on Women and Girls are committed to improving the health of all women, and we know that health care reform is essential to achieving our goal."

At the roundtable, Sebelius and Tchen also discussed the difficulties that small businesses face when attempting to provide health benefits to their employees. Nearly three-quarters of small businesses that do not offer benefits cite high premiums as the reason. Small businesses that do offer health benefits are suffering. Forty percent of businesses that provide health care coverage say health costs have had a negative impact on other parts of their business.

"Skyrocketing costs are making it difficult, if not impossible, for businesses to give their employees the benefits they deserve," added Sebelius. "Real reform will ease the burden on small business and help businesses stay competitive."

The roundtable discussion was held at Stitch DC, a knitting store owned by Nora and Marie Connolly, who participated in the discussion. Other participants included: Denise D’Amour, co-owner, Capitol Hill Bikes; Laurie Morin, co-owner, Capitol Hill Bikes; Erin Mara, co-owner, Homebody; Leah Daniels, co-owner, Hill’s Kitchen; and Angela Bradley, owner, BTI Security.

SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
____________________

The CDC Reports That Overweight and Obesity, and Their Associated Health Problems, Have a Significant Economic Impact on the U.S. Health Care System -- and in the Workplace [e.g, Absenteeism, Decreased Productivity, Restricted Activity]. Click HERE to Learn How to Lose Weight Fast & Get Lean, Strong and Healthy for Life!

American Express Announces Thank You Gift Card and Increases Web Purchasing Power for Corporate Giving

American Express recognizes the value and importance of companies saying "Thanks," "Well done," or simply showing appreciation to employees and customers throughout the year. To that end, GoodBiz113 ad partner American Express today announced the American Express® Thank You Gift Card, the latest addition to their growing line of themed Gift Cards.

According to a 2007 Incentive Magazine survey, 82% of businesses give gift cards and gift certificates. Of those, 74% gave gift cards and certificates for employee recognition, 46% for sales incentives, and 17% for consumer promotions. The survey also revealed that 83% of businesses find that giving gift cards and certificates is equally effective or more effective than giving cash -- up from 69% in 2006.

As a premium gifting product, the new Thank You Gift Card has an elegant gold design and provides recipients the freedom to create their own memorable experiences. It is available in various denominations from $25 to $100, and comes with special offers from participating retailers and merchants nationwide.

"Gift Cards have become a preferred incentive and holiday gift option among corporate buyers, due to their ease of purchase, use and universality," said Stefan Happ, vice president and general manager, American Express Gift Cards.

"This growing demand has led American Express to help simplify companies' gifting processes by offering bulk purchasing of American Express Gift Cards and adding relevant business-themed products like the Dining and Thank You Gift Card to our portfolio," Happ noted. "These service and product enhancements will enable companies to give their employees and customers a premium gift for any occasion throughout the entire year."

American Express enhanced its corporate Gift Card services in 2006 to help corporations and small businesses increase the effectiveness of their gifting programs. The improvements simplified bulk orders and increased the number of American Express Gift Cards that can be purchased by one company through the American Express Web site.

Companies interested in buying American Express Gift Cards in bulk for reward, incentive and promotional programs can visit the American Express "Gift Cards for Business" website, which gives companies a convenient way to buy a large number of American Express Gift Cards -- increased this year to as much as $35,000 or 1,400 cards, up from $15,000 or 600 cards last year.

Companies interested in purchasing American Express Gift Cards in excess of these thresholds can do so by calling American Express at 877-297-8242. American Express offers the American Express Business Gift Card, Gift Card Especially for Dining, and Thank You Gift Card to its corporate clients.

In addition to the American Express Gift Card, American Express offers themed Gift Cards for consumers -- including Gift Cards Especially for Kids, Teens, Birthdays, Dining, Movie Lovers, the Bride and Groom, and Thank You.

The American Express Gift Card lets the recipient choose from millions of things and experiences, making it a popular gift choice. Unlike store gift cards, which can be redeemed at one retailer's locations, the American Express Gift Card can be used at millions of places in the U.S. that accept American Express. The Gift Card is available in denominations ranging from $25 to $500 and can be refunded if lost or stolen.*

American Express Gift Cards come with special offers at best-of-brand retailers, restaurants and merchants. Click here for more information.

About American Express
American Express is a leader in prepaid products. In addition to the 116-year old American Express Travelers Cheque -- the pre-eminent brand welcomed worldwide -- the Company issues other prepaid products including Cheques for Two, Gift Cards, Gift Cheques, and a range of corporate incentive prepaid products through American Express Incentive Services, a joint venture with Maritz Inc.

American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and credit cards, travel, financial planning, business services, insurance and international banking.

* Terms, conditions and purchase/replacement fees apply to Gift Cards. Subject to applicable law, a monthly service fee of $2.00 is waived for the initial 12 months after purchase. A $5.95 replacement fee may apply if a Gift Card is lost or stolen. Not for use at car rental, cruise lines, casinos or ATMs. Offers are subject to change without notice.

SOURCE: American Express
____________________

Thank Clients. Reward Employees. Give American Express® Gift Cards.