Articles & Updates

At Woodruff-Sawyer, we offer a monthly update on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the update to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the newest legislation and regulations. This monthly update includes articles on the following topics:

• CLASS Act Implementation Suspended by the Obama Administration
• DOL Delays Implementation of Summary of Benefits and Coverages (SBC) Rules
• San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) Regulations
• DOL Gives Guidance on Medical Loss Ratio Requirements
• Michigan to Impose Assessment of Health Care Claims
• Department of Health and Human Services Launches HIPAA Audit Program
• Blue Shield Credits

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Senate Bill 474 was signed in to law by Governor Brown on October 9, 2011. This new law will become effective January 1, 2013. SB 474 restricts the inclusion of Type I indemnity provisions in construction contracts for commercial projects and for any contracts with public entities.

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At Woodruff-Sawyer, we offer a monthly update on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the update to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the newest legislation and regulations. This monthly update includes articles on the following topics:

1. Supreme Court to Hear Health Care Reform Debate in March 2012
2. Implementing Compliant Wellness Programs
3. California Legislation
4. 2012 IRC Indexed Figures
5. California State Disability Rates

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At Woodruff-Sawyer, we offer a monthly update on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the update to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the newest legislation and regulations. This monthly update includes articles on the following topics:

1. HHS Issues Preventive Care Guidance
2. 9th and 11th Circuit Courts Rule on the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
3. HHS Issues Additional Guidance on Premium Tax Credits
4. HHS Exempts Stand-Alone HRAs from the Annual Limit Waiver Requirement
5. Health Care Reform Summary of Benefits and Coverage Guidance
6. Massachusetts Conforms State Tax Code to the Internal Revenue Code C
7. Rhode Island Passes Civil Union Law
8. San Francisco Issues 2012 Healthy Care Security Ordinance Rates

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M&A deals have small issues, big issues...and “landmine” issues: issues that can seem small but, if mishandled, can end up being significant. Regardless of whether your company is seeking to merge with another company or is looking to acquire or be acquired, here are several key insurance risk management factors worth considering prior to the drafting of a merger agreement.

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Public companies routinely purchase directors and officers (“D&O”) liability insurance, and regard the purchase as part of the cost of being a public company. But does a private company need D&O insurance?

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Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. is pleased to present the latest information concerning securities litigation filed against public companies in the United States. The information below comes from the D&O Databox as of June 30, 2011. The D&O Databox tracks securities class action litigation filed against public company issuers and their directors and officers. Settlement figures include amounts paid by issuers, their directors and officers, and insurance carriers. Settlement figures exclude amounts paid in settlement by third party defendants.

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At Woodruff-Sawyer, we offer a monthly update on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the update to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the newest legislation and regulations. This monthly update includes articles on the following topics:

1. Proposed Regulations Implementing State Exchanges Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
2. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Constitutionality of the Individual Mandate
3. HHS Issues Guidance on the Annual Limit Waiver Application Process
4. New York Same-Gender Marriage Statute Passed
5. New York Tax Law Amendment

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One consequence of the global, interconnected nature of the economic markets is that plenty of non-U.S. companies list their shares on U.S. Exchanges. For most foreign filers, listing in the U.S. is entirely unproblematic. However, there has been some interesting news in the U.S. securities class action lawsuit arena that involves directors of foreign-based companies.

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At Woodruff-Sawyer, we offer a monthly update on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the update to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the newest legislation and regulations. This monthly update includes articles on the following topics:

1. Hawaii Requirement Reminder
2. 2012 HSA Index Figures Released
3. Medicare Part D Notice Changes
4. Department of Labor's Fee Disclosure Rules under ERISA 408(b)(2)

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Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. is pleased to present the latest information concerning securities litigation filed against public companies in the United States. The information below comes from the D&O Databox as of March 31, 2011. The D&O Databox tracks securities class action litigation filed against public company issuers and their directors and officers. Settlement figures include amounts paid by issuers, their directors and officers, and insurance carriers. Settlement figures exclude amounts paid in settlement by third party defendants.

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At Woodruff-Sawyer, we offer a monthly update on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the update to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the newest legislation and regulations. This monthly update includes articles on the following topics:

1. California Enacts AB 36
2. San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance Annual Filing Requirement Deadline
3. San Francisco Commuter Benefit Ordinance
4. Department of Health and Human Services Issues Frequently Asked Questions about CLASS Long Term Care Program
5. DOL Frequently Asked Questions on Grandfathering
6. Illinois and Hawaii Civil Union Laws
7. Safe Harbor for Self Funded Appeals Issued by HHS
8. Voucher Provisions of PPACA Repealed
9. Milliman White Paper on ADA and W-2 Reporting Requirements

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Woodruff-Sawyer offers regular updates on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the updates to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the new legislation and regulations. This update includes articles on the following topics:

1. Health Care Reform - How does it Impact You?
2. IRS Medical Care Expenses Announcement
3. Health Care Reform Dependent Rule Does Not Apply to HSAs
4. Pending Legislation - California Dependent State Income Tax Update
5. Health Care Reform Repeal Update
6. Health Coverage Tax Credit Subsidy Set From 85% to 65%
7. Oregon State Exchange Pending Legislation
8. Department of Justice Comments on DOMA
9. Wisconsin HSA Tax Deductions
10. Oregon Dependent Imputed Income Senate Bill

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Is the Dodd-Frank Act (“Dodd-Frank”), signed into law on July 21, 2010, potentially a game-changer when it comes to the exposure of officers and directors of public companies to litigation? Yes. And unfortunately for directors and officers and the companies they serve, the scope of insurance coverage afforded by director and officer (“D&O”) liability insurance policies can be problematic.

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Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. is pleased to present the latest information concerning securities litigation filed against public companies in the United States. The information below comes from the D&O Databox as of December 31, 2010. The D&O Databox tracks litigation filed against public company issuers and their directors and officers. Settlement figures include amounts paid by issuers, their directors and officers, and their insurance carriers. Settlement figures exclude amounts paid in settlement by third party defendants.

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At Woodruff-Sawyer, we offer a monthly update on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the update to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the newest legislation and regulations. This monthly update includes articles on the following topics:

1. Form 8928 Self-Reporting Requirements for COBRA, HIPAA and ERISA Violations
2. Health Care Reform Repeal Activity
3. Domestic Partner and Dependent Imputed Income
4. IRS Form W-2 Revised

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At Woodruff-Sawyer, we offer a monthly update on legislative changes that impact employee benefit plans. Employers should review the update to ensure their plans and policies are revised and in compliance with the newest legislation and regulations. This monthly update includes articles on the following topics:

1. IRS Delays Effective Date of Discrimination Testing Under PPACA
2. IRS Delays Effective Date for Qualified Transit Expenses Under Qualified Fringe Benefit Plans
3. IRS Small Employer Health Care Tax Credit
4. IRS Guidance on FSA and HRA Debit Cards
5. Change to the Interim Final Grandfather Rule
6. Oregon Rule Clarifies Content of Portability Notice and 6. Clarifies that Carriers may Provide Notice Electronically
7. EDD Voluntary Plan General Release Letter
8. GINA Guidance
9. Mini-Med Guidance
10. HRAs and PPACA
11. Medical Loss Ratio Guidance
12. 2011 Transit Limits
13. California Donor Leave Legislation
14. State Court Holds the Individual Mandate Provisions of PPACA Unconstitutional
15. 2011 Compliance Due Dates
16. Extension of the Health Coverage Tax Credit
17. California Dental Legislation-AB 2275

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