As 2014 approaches, employers must decide 1) if they are large enough for the employer-shared responsibility ("pay or play") penalty to affect them; and 2) if they are large enough, how best to handle this new obligation. If you are still wondering who exactly is an "employee" under the law, how you handle vacation time, whether you need to cover dependents, how to know if you're large enough for the penalty to be an issue for you, and if there are special transition rules, the new proposed regulations provide answers. In this 90-minute webinar, we'll give you the answers to these questions and explain some of the additional details provided in this important new guidance. (In our March webinar, we'll cover the rules that apply if you are a large employer.) If you have 50 employees, or think you might, you won't want to miss this informative, intermediate-level webinar.

What's the difference between "essential benefits" and "minimum value?" The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act uses similar terms for very different requirements, and it remains confusing for many people. In this 90-minute webinar, you will learn the differences in these terms and how they affect your company and the benefits you offer. In addition, you'll learn which requirements vary by state and which apply at the national level. We also discuss the preventive care requirements, including the requirements for women's preventive care.

We are fast approaching January 2014, when the key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) are to take effect. To date, regulations have not been issued on a number of significant provisions. In addition, the law remains controversial, and the ever-shifting political winds are likely to bring more changes. In this 75-minute webinar, Janet Trautwein, CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters will offer her perspective on which regulations are likely to be released soon and which requirements might be delayed or repealed. Understanding what is required and what may happen in terms of PPACA implementation will help employers assess their options and obligations as 2014 nears.

Health care reform's "main event" (at least for employers) arrives in 2014. That's when employers with 50 or more full-time employees will have to either "pay" (a substantial tax penalty) or "play" (by offering "affordable" health coverage of at least "minimum value" to their full-time employees). In this 90-minute webinar, we'll address agency guidance to help employers determine whether they are subject to "pay or play". In addition to doing the math, we'll also suggest approaches for avoiding or minimizing any penalty. Some of these may require action before the end of this year. Finally, we'll point out the potential pitfalls of various approaches.

Although the "main event" of health care reform does not take effect until 2014, sponsors and administrators of employer group health plans will not want to ignore a number of requirements taking effect in 2013. Non-compliance with any of these health care reform requirements could result in stiff daily penalties. This webinar will provide practical guidance on how to comply with these requirements, thereby heading off those penalties.

This important and timely presentation on health care reform is conducted by Janet Trautwein, executive VP and CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU). Ms. Trautwein examines the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and explores what the decision means for employers that sponsor health plans.

The National Association of Health Underwriters Newswire reports the likelihood of the justices to rule on the Affordable Care Act.

Brinson Benefits University (BBU) delivers monthly webinars that help HR departments and company executives maximize their time and make informed choices. These webinars, co-sponsored by United Benefit Advisors (UBA) and the law firm of Spencer Fane Britt & Brown, LLP, will educate your staff on the latest changes to the law and help keep your company’s compliance efforts on track.