Month: June 2016

Executive Summary. Health benefits come in many different forms, each of which can be a creditable expense under the Wage Parity Act (“Act” or “WPA”). Some forms require detailed plans and government filing each year, and must be funded with premiums paid for on a regular basis by a home care agency. Others cap the amount an agency may contribute and only pay or reimburse health expenses as they occur. Each form of health benefit has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and tax consequences, both to the agency and the worker. Beyond the WPA, to be exempt from penalties under the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), the health benefit provided must also (i) constitute “minimum essential coverage” under the ACA; (ii) be “affordable” as defined in the ACA; and (iii) provide “minimum value” coverage (meaning that it covers at least 60% of expenses, determined on an actuarial basis).

Please click here for the full article: Home Care Professionals Series – Part 3

Executive Summary.  Under the New York Wage Parity Act (“Act” or “WPA”), the term “supplemental wages” covers a wide range of benefits. Generally speaking, any non-wage remuneration that primarily benefits the employee rather than the home care agency may be considered. However, this standard is less than clear and in any event, deciding which benefits to provide workers depends on several factors. For example, some benefits are tax-advantaged both to the agency and the worker; other benefits are not. Some benefits require formal plans under the Internal Revenue Code; other benefits do not. They can be set up as payroll practices without a formal plan. And, some benefits will provide dollar-for-dollar credit against the Act’s $4.09(NYC)/$3.22(LI, Westchester) additional and supplemental wage package (the “WPA Package”); other benefits will not. These other benefits must be calculated using an “annualization method” from prevailing wage law, which reduces the creditable amount for WPA purposes.

Please click here for the full article: Home Care Professionals Series – Part 2