Sometimes the answer to feeding nutritious foods to picky eaters is found in smaller pieces.

There is no doubt that the health care reform legislation is having a large impact on employers across the nation. As provisions continue to take effect, the magnitude of this impact becomes even clearer. But how are other employers reacting to and coping with the changes? For more than 75 percent of respondents to this survey, health care reform has increased, or is expected to increase, their organization's health benefit costs. Of those respondents, 63 percent have passed or will pass these costs on to employees. See how your company compares.

Cellphone use while driving contributes to roughly 100,000 accidents and thousands of fatalities each year. Though many states have banned cellphone use while driving, distracted driving continues to be a widespread issue. Make a pledge to stop! 

The federal Office of Civil Rights has started formal HIPAA compliance audits - make sure you're ready.

This legislative brief explains the new $2,500 annual limit on salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) offered under cafeteria plans, effective for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2012.

This glossary explains many terms commonly used in health care insurance plans and by medical service providers. It is meant to increase understanding of one's health insurance program and how it works.

 

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the death of an infant less than one year of age that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, and whose cause of death is not immediately obvious. One of the best ways to reduce your baby's risk of SUID is to practice safe sleeping techniques.

 

Biking to work can be a fun and rewarding experience - giving you the opportunity to burn a few calories and spare the Earth some pollution. Here are some tips to get you to work and back home safely.

This issue discusses new studies showing that workers of all pay levels benefit from company 401(k) savings plans, that more families are keeping their young adults in health insurance and that social media can improve employee communications.

Are you sold on the benefits of wellness, but having trouble fitting it into your budget? There are plenty of low-cost wellness strategies and ideas that can help improve the health of your workforce.

An attractive benefits program is vital for your recruiting and retention efforts, but is also a significant expense. How do you ensure you are providing a cost-conscious package that is still competitive in your industry?

Employee or independent contractor? The answer has serious implications on your tax and benefit obligations, and you are also liable for significant financial penalties if you misclassify your workers.

As the federal health care reform law is implemented, here's a checklist of what's new for 2012 and a review of sections made effective in 2011.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is in the process of investigating full-service restaurants for unlawful pay practices.

EEOC discrimination cases are at a record high, make sure your company is not a target.

Through lifestyle changes - such as weight loss, healthy eating and exercise - it is possible for those at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes to delay or prevent its onset. Check your risk factors with these quick questions.

Payne Financial Group premiere client, Baker Construction of Spokane, was recently awarded a national safety award from Oldcastle Connections Magazine. 

If you do not require immediate medical attention, consider scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician to reduce the cost.

The yearly calendar is full of weeks or months dedicated to information and support about any one of a multitude of health conditions, diseases and syndromes. For each group, the goal of its national observance is generally to provide up-to-date educational information and communications that are aimed at both those who don't know about the cause as well as those who do because they themselves, a family member or a friend are touched by it. National observances focus on prevention as well as treatment, research and fundraising.

In this issue of Benefit Plan Trends:

• - An August Nebraska Law Review article Current federal health care reform work helps employers - especially small businesses - provide health insurance benefits to their employees. The law review article looks at three provisions of federal law that were specifically intended to influence employers' willingness to offer health insurance: the large employer "pay-or-play" mandate, the small employer tax credit and the excise tax on so-called "Cadillac" plans.
• - Results of a recent study predict long-term growth of retired plan savings as a result of improving economic conditions, and change in retirement savings attitudes and behaviors among employees with retirement plans.
• - Family-owned businesses face management changes.