BMI NEWS AND UPDATES
July 2018
TOPBMI News & Updates

We love to support our community! Below are some upcoming events BMI is sponsoring:
  • August 12, 2018- St. Aloysius Horse Tournament
  • August 17, 2018- Visalia Host Lions Foundation

 

 
In This Issue
Property & Casualty Trends

Fiduciary Liability Insurance
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Company representatives involved in managing pensions, savings, profit-sharing, employee benefits and welfare plans are liable if they breach their fiduciary duties. If this responsibility belongs to you, it is imperative that you understand your responsibilities to avoid potential liability. In fact, fiduciaries that do not follow the basic standards of conduct may be personally liable to restore any losses to the plan, or to restore any profits made through an improper use of the plan's assets resulting from their actions. Consider Fiduciary Liability Insurance to protect you and your organization against losses associated with fiduciary error. [...]

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ACA Compliance Bulletin: HHS Suspends ACA Risk Adjustment Payments

Overview
 
On July 7, 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) halted payments to insurers under the risk adjustment program as a result of ongoing litigation. Risk adjustment is a permanent program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that provides payments to insurers that attract higher risk populations by transferring funds from plans that enroll the lowest risk individuals to those plans that enroll the highest risk individuals. [...]

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Compliance Bulletin: HSA/ HDHP Limits will Increase for 2019
 
Overview

 

On May 10, 2018, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2018-30 to announce the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2019. These limits include: [...]

 

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Human Resource News
  
Are You Protected from Defamation Lawsuits?
 
AB 2770 is sitting on Governor Brown's desk right now. It codifies law to restrict employees accused of sexual harassment from filing libel and defamation lawsuits against accusers or employers. On the surface, this seems like a good move to keep people from intimidating accusers and keeping them from filing complaints. [...]
 

Please click here to continue reading the article.

Visit www.hrmobileservices.com for more helpful information.
Loss Control Bulletin
 
Emergency Action Plans
 
Is your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) ready for Cal/OSHA scrutiny? How do you know? Easy targets for Cal/OSHA is for a company's failure to have a written, well thought out emergency action plan in place. Failure to do so can cost lives, livelihoods, and even without an accident lead employers directly to large fines from Cal/OSHA. Cal/OSHA issues citations for not having a written plan (Title 8, section 3220). Keep in mind that your EAP also may need to include emergency preparation and response for Heat Illness Prevention. [...]
 
Please click here to continue reading the article.
Visit www.borettinc.com for more helpful information. 
 
A Word from the Worker's Comp Department
  
Health Effects of Heat          

Two types of heat illness:
  • Heat Exhaustion
  • Heat Stroke
Watch out for early symptoms. You may need medical help. People react differently-- you may have just a few of these symptoms, or most of them. [...]

For additional information: English Version  & Spanish Version

2019 California: Experience Rating Changes

The Insurance Commissioner recently adopted changes to experience rating. These changes make it easier for employers to understand:
  • How reducing workplace injuries will reduce their premium cost
  • The importance of reporting all claims [...] 
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If you have any questions, please email the Workers' Compensation Team at [email protected].

Claims Department Article
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Protect Your Business from Liability Insurance Claims with Commonsense Precautions
 
Many small-business liability insurance claims could easily be prevented. And none are more preventable than slip and fall accidents, the most common type of claim.

With some basic common sense and a "safety first" mindset, you can help avoid most accidents before they happen. And no accident means no liability claim. [...]

 Read more
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Common Auto Insurance Terms
 
Auto insurance can be confusing at times. Policies often contain a variety of terms that can be difficult to understand, especially for someone without a background in insurance.   
                                                               
The following is a list of common auto insurance terms to keep in mind the time you meet with your insurance broker: [...]
July's Spotlight is on Jeremiah Banda

Department and position:  Life & Health, Account Coordinator
 
When did you join the BMI team? October 2016
 
What is the best part about working at Buckman-Mitchell, Inc.? The emphasis on serving our clients and community. It creates a positive work environment that facilitates purpose and allows our natural gifts to be elevated alongside the desire to help and serve.
 
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I enjoy being a FUNcle and creating photographic memories.

You may reach Jeremiah at (559) 635-3511 or [email protected]
Buckman-Mitchell, Inc.'s July Anniversaries 

We want to acknowledge these individuals for their continued service with our company:
  • Brent Swanson- 32 years
  • Jayne Covarrubias- 28 years
  • Kelli Marks- 28 years
  • Jaimey Tackett- 21 years
  • Karlee Hare- 3 years

Thank you for all you do!