July 26, 2010
Goodbye COBRA Subsidy
Since February 2009, many employees that lost coverage due to an involuntary termination of employment were eligible for financial assistance to help cover the cost of COBRA premiums. This program was often referred to as the “COBRA Subsidy.” Eligibility Period Ends on May 31, 2010 More>>
May 20, 2010
Mandatory Auto Insurance Begins June 1: Motorists must keep proof of coverage handy
Unless you want to risk getting slapped with an extra $200 ticket the next time you're pulled over for a traffic violation, it's time to make sure you have auto insurance in Wisconsin - and documentation with you in the car to prove it. Wisconsin's mandatory auto insurance law takes effect June 1. More>>
May 20, 2010
RAIR, a leading provider of risk management services to the transportation industry, announced that it has established a strategic alliance with HNI, a leading provider of insurance and risk management services to the trucking industry. More>>
May 12, 2010
Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) has been officially launched. PSP allows commercial motor carrier companies to electronically access driver inspection and crash records as a part of the hiring process. PSP is another way to raise the safety bar for the motor carrier industry and help to make our roads safer for everyone. More>>
May 3, 2010
As part of health care reform, The Affordable Care Act requires group health plans and health insurance issuers that offer dependent coverage to extend coverage to adult children up to age 26. Beginning six months after enactment, new and renewing health plans must comply with this new requirement. Adult children are not required to reside with the employee, receive more than 50% support from the employee, or maintain full-time student status in order to be eligible for coverage. Married adult children are also eligible for coverage under this new mandate. More>>
April 19, 2010
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided a temporary subsidy for the cost of COBRA continuation health coverage. The COBRA premium subsidy has already been extended twice, first in December 2009 and then in March 2010. On April 15, 2010, President Obama signed The Continuing Extension Act of 2010, extending the eligibility period for the subsidy again. More>>
April 5, 2010
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration opted for the strictest approach it could take in its new requirement for electronic onboard recorders to track driver hours of service. The final rule announced today will affect nearly 5,700 trucking companies. More>>
March 31, 2010
CSA 2010 timelines have shifted a bit resulting in a more phased-in approach. The data preview is scheduled to be released to industry on April 12, 2010. From April 12, 2010 to November 30, 2010, motor carriers will be able to preview their performance data.
Full implementation of FMCSAs' more comprehensive carrier safety measurement system (CSMS) will be rolled out effective November 30, 2010. More>>
March 29, 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was initially passed by the U.S. Senate on December 24, 2009. Once passed by the Senate, supporters worked to secure the necessary number of votes from members of the House of Representatives. On March 21, 2010, the House of Representatives voted 219-212 to pass this same piece of legislation. After being passed by both the House and Senate, the President signed into law The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010. More>>
March 22, 2010
BizTimes Milwaukee announced the winners of the 2010 IQ (Innovation Quotient) Awards. The IQ Awards honor southeastern Wisconsin companies that are generating innovative products, services or processes. One of the 2010 IQ Award winners is GetMOR Enterprises LLC of Oak Creek, WI. More
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March 19, 2010
The head of an insurance company that specializes in transportation coverage recommended that trucking executives speak to their own providers now about early renewals, and consider longer-term contracts before the launch of the Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 regulation. More
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March 19, 2010
On March 2, 2010, the President signed the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 which results it yet another extension of the COBRA Subsidy. This latest legislation has made the following extensions and expansions to the COBRA Subsidy.
More
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March 5, 2010
ATA has commissioned the American Transportation Research Institute
(ATRI) to collect and analyze motor carrier safety and operational data to
help inform the upcoming hours-of-service (HOS) rulemaking process. ATRI has
developed an online survey which can be found on the
ATRI website.
More
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March 2, 2010
CHIPRA: Understanding the new benefits
provided to employees and the notice obligations imposed upon employers
In a continuing effort to provide affordable access to health care,
President Obama signed into law the Children’s Health Insurance Program
Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA). This new federal law directly affects
employer-sponsored group health plans.
CHIPRA was originally signed into law on February 4, 2009. This
federal program provides matching funds to the states that offer health
insurance benefits for children whose families earn more annual income than
permitted under state Medicaid programs, but whose income is insufficient to
provide health insurance through other means. The new rules allow
state programs to provide a premium subsidy toward enrollment in
employment-sponsored group health plans, rather than providing medical
benefits under Medicaid.
More>>
January 26, 2010 U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood and FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro held a
press conference January 26, 2010 in Washington, D.C., to announce a new ban
on texting by commercial motor vehicle drivers while operating a CMV. During
the press conference scheduled, Secretary LaHood and Administrator Ferro
discussed new “regulatory guidance,” to be officially published in the
Federal Register and made effective later this week, that will apply to all
interstate drivers of CMVs currently subject to FMCSA’s safety regulations.
More>> January 4, 2010 CSA 2010 is a government initiative to make roads safer by contacting motor carriers sooner before crashes occur. This program identifies safety problems so correction can take place. CSA 2010 changes the way motor carriers are evaluated. Drivers will have more direct attention too.
More>> December 28, 2009
In February 2009, the federal government passed the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This law created a provision referred to as
the COBRA Subsidy. Many individuals that lost their job and
employer-sponsored health insurance prior to December 31, 2009 were eligible
for federal assistance in the amount of 65% of their COBRA premiums for up
to nine months. In December 2009, this law was extended to provide
assistance for up to 15 months. Individuals that lose their job and
employer-sponsored health insurance prior to February 28, 2010 will also be
eligible for the subsidy. While this law provides financial assistance for
individuals that lose their jobs during these tough economic times,
employers must be prepared for the financial and administrative burdens this
extension places on them. More>>RAIR and HNI announce a strategic alliance to provide risk management services to the trucking industry
Launch of Pre-employment Screening Program
The Federal Dependent Coverage Mandate: IRS Issues Guidance on Tax Treatment
COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended Through May 2010
FMCSA Chooses Strictest Electronic Recorder Option
CSA 2010 Timelines have Shifted
Health Care Reform Passes: But how does it affect you?
GetMOR wins IQ Award for innovation
Insurer Tells Fleets to Consider Early Renewals, Longer Policies
COBRA Subsidy: Can you believe they changed it again?
ATA Announces New Survey Related to Hours of Service
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA)
Introduction
FMCSA Ban on Texting for CMV Drivers
CSA 2010 Driver Information
WHAT IS CSA 2010?
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ME?
COBRA Notices for Extended Benefits
