Host Dorothy Cociu interviews principals of Aditi Group, our Technology Partners, on cybersecurity in the workplace and home. Dorothy sits down with Ted Mayeshiba, Ted Flittner and Steve Saitman to discover what can be done to protect your business from cybersecurity threats, whether your employees are in the office or working remotely from home. We discuss the differences between threats at the home and in the office, the most common threats we’re seeing now, how to examine email phishing campaigns and train your staff to avoid inadvertently downloading malware and viruses to your computers and networks, the common denominators, and what employers should be doing to avoid cybersecurity threats.

In part two of a two-part podcast, host Dorothy Cociu and Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law office discuss details of the new Transparency Rules for Employers and Health Plans; Cost Transparency for Hospitals; ACA IRS Reporting Forms 1094/1095 Reporting Updates (including California FTB requirements); Grandfathered Health Plans Final Rules; Other Federal Legislation; California Updates, including FSA Account Notices under AB 1554, Cal Savers, Paid Family Leave, Harassment Training, Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Regulations, COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation, CFRA, and other Changes for the Workplace.

Show Notes

Download the notes from Episode 17

Important Notice/Disclaimer:  This podcast includes excerpts from an educational webinar instructed by Dorothy and Marilyn in January, 2021.  Be advised that some provisions discussed in this podcast are subject to change, as the environment in Washington and Sacramento are moving quickly.  Since this podcast was recorded, certain items discussed have already been changed, and we expect this to continue, so stay tuned for more updates!

https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s2e16-legislative-and-regulatory-updates-winter-2021-part1

In part one of a two-part podcast, host Dorothy Cociu and Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law office discuss important updates for employer plan sponsors.  In Part 1 – Dorothy and Marilyn will discuss What the Future May Hold in Washington; COVID-19 updates, including an important update on the Outbreak Period that applies to COBRA and other timeframe extensions; the New CAA Stimulus Bill and How it Impacts Other Laws & Regulations; CAA Important Provisions including the No Surprises Act, which puts limits on balance billing; the new reporting period for Mental Health Parity; and Agent/Broker Compensation Disclosure.

Important Notice/Disclaimer:  This podcast includes excerpts from an educational webinar instructed by Dorothy and Marilyn in January, 2021.  Be advised that some provisions discussed in this podcast are subject to change, as the environment in Washington and Sacramento are moving quickly.  Since this podcast was recorded, certain items discussed have already been changed, and we expect this to continue, so stay tuned for more updates!

https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s2e15-human-resources-and-employment-updates-covid-workplace-assistance-and-hr-certifications-with-jacquelyn-thorp

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Jacquelyn Thorp, CEO and Founder of Train Me Today, a California-based Human Resources Consulting and HR Training Organization.  Jackie discusses the complexity of COVID-19 workplace applications, policies and procedures, and how to get people back to work safely.  We discuss the most important things CEOs and CFOs need to know about the role of HR in this complex environment, as well as how to best get and keep HR professionals up to date with certifications.  What works best for small employers, large employers, and everything in-between?  We also discuss some new laws and changes to existing laws in California, including CAL/OSHA COVID regulations, SB 1159 Work Comp requirements, California Family Rights Act changes, minimum wage updates and more.  Join us for this informative podcast!

In this last of our 3-part series on the non-benefits side of COVID-19, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Deena, a Registered Nurse, who was hospitalized for her own emergency surgery in the fall of 2020.  Listen to what it’s really like in the hospital during COVID; the isolation, the fear, the emotional toll on the patients and their families.  Deena is an RN working in a hospital, but in this podcast, she shares her personal story about being on the patient’s side of hospitalization during this Pandemic.

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Host Dorothy Cociu continues her 3-part series on the real-world effects of COVID-19 on the community.  In part 2 of this mini-series, she interviews Ruth Tello-Di Leva, MS, BCBA, founder and president of Familias First, an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider in Los Angeles county.  In this candid interview, they discuss the emotional impact of COVID on kids and adults with disabilities such as Autism, how the pandemic affected their treatment, and how best to deal with the continued interruptions to their routines and unknowns in a virtual and hybrid world.  This podcast will be helpful to parents and teachers dealing with special needs children and adults.

https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s2e12-remote-learning-in-the-age-of-covid-19-affects-teachers-students-parents/

https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s2e11-ppp-loan-forgiveness-tips-with-tax-accountant-john-piekarski

If you received a PPP loan, this podcast is a must-listen! Host Dorothy Cociu interviews tax accountant John Piekarski, who discusses the PPP loan forgiveness process, the application options, and what to have ready to apply for forgiveness. John provides helpful tips and clarifications about what forms to use in each situation, and reminders of what to do in advance to prepare for your forgiveness submission. If you have an outstanding loan under $50k, he will walk you through the EZ application for loan forgiveness.

Design Your Company Drug Plan with the Best Cost Containment

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Chris Brown, Director of Business Development of RX Benefits, a national prescription drug optimizing firm, who shares the best ways to keep costs down in your RX plan.  They discuss how to design your RX plan, implement the best cost containment provisions in your contracts and how utilization management and data analysis can help employers to understand and mitigate high cost prescriptions, opioid issues, and how to use rebates to lower your overall prescription drug benefits within your health plan.  If you’re self-funded, learn how to design and manage your RX plan for the greatest cost savings. 

Must Do’s for Annual Open Enrollment of Your Medicare Health Coverage

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ryan Dorigan, a Medicare and Senior Care expert, who will walk you through everything you need to know about enrolling in Medicare for the first time, what you can do during the annual open enrollment, types of plan options, the pitfalls you can face, and penalties that you could be hit with if you don’t do it right. This is a must-listen for those struggling to decide what is best for them during the October 7- December 15 open enrollment period.