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  • If Congress allows the expansion of the health care subsidies included in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to expire, thousands of South Carolinians could see their 2023 premiums skyrocket. This is specifically related to individuals who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual marketplace.

    There are currently about 365,000 individuals who have ACA plans. Amongst those individuals, 60,000 would lose health coverage and become uninsured if these subsidies don’t get extended. In addition, 225,000 South Carolinians would lose all or a portion of the financial assistance they currently receive.

    Benefits Of Temporary Subsidies 

    The ACA has provided subsidized health insurance on HealthCare.gov and state-run Marketplaces since 2014. There are approximately nine million individuals who purchase coverage with federal premium assistance. However, there are still millions who remain uninsured.

    The March 2021 COVID-19 relief legislation, also known as the ARPA, extends eligibility for ACA health insurance subsidies to individuals who buy their own health coverage on the Marketplace who have incomes over 400% of poverty. This law increases the amount of financial assistance for those on lower incomes who were already eligible under the ACA. It is shown that 21.8 million individuals are eligible for a subsidy to purchase Marketplace coverage with the passage of the ARPA. Also, 63% of uninsured individuals are now eligible for financial assistance through the Marketplaces, Medicaid, or basic health plans.

    Since the temporary subsidies in 2021, there has been an increase in financial assistance. In addition, these subsidies expanded aid to many middle-income individuals who had previously been ineligible for assistance.

    What This Means For Other States

    Outside of South Carolinians who are expected to see health premiums rise, the federal government has warned millions of individuals across the U.S. that they could lose health insurance. It is estimated that approximately three million individuals would lose health insurance should these subsidies stop. In addition, 10.4 million individuals with an ACA plan would pay a significantly higher dollar amount for coverage to stay insured.

    How GMS Comes Into Play

    Access to quality, affordable health care is essential for individuals to remain healthy. While questions are still looming, it’s concerning to individuals in South Carolina and across the U.S. who have been utilizing these subsidies. Let GMS take the stress off your shoulders. We now offer individuals voluntary benefits, providing you with access to health care, life insurance, pet insurance, and so much more. Contact us today.

  • General Aluminum Manufacturing Company, located in Wapakoneta, Ohio, was recently cited for exposing workers to workplace hazards. As a result, they face $480,000 in proposed penalties. This follows a previous inspection conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety Administration (OSHA) earlier this year.

    In February 2022, OSHA found a band saw and quench tank that lacked adequate machine guarding. In addition, the company failed to train workers in performing service and maintenance tasks on industrial machinery for energy control procedures. Due to the lack of proper training, some workers experienced amputation, caught-in, and struck-by hazards. These citations were also issued for these violations at the Conneaut and Ravenna facilities.

    In June 2022, OSHA also cited the Conneaut plant for eight additional violations and assessed $315,952 in proposed penalties.

    General Aluminum 

    General Aluminum Manufacturing Company offers engineered casting solutions. They produce machined aluminum castings for the automotive and non-automotive industries. In addition, they offer their customers low-pressure permanent molding, permanent molding, semi-permanent molding, lost foam, and high-pressure die castings. The company employs around 1,200 workers across the U.S., with 137 employees at the Wapakoneta location.

    OSHA Penalties They Face Today

    The most recent OSHA inspection conducted in the Wapakoneta facility cited the company with: 

    • One repeat
    • Two willful
    • 10 serious violations for exposing workers to fall hazards while working on top of casting machines, burn hazards due to water accumulation around casting machines, and using improper personal protective equipment

    OSHA inspectors determined worker exposure to electrical and arc flashes, confined space, and powered industrial vehicle hazards. General Aluminum has 15 business days from the day they received the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent OSHA Review Commission.

    Do You Want To Make Your Workplace Safer?

    GMS can help business owners take a proactive approach to workplace safety through various services through the following strategies: 

    • Onsite consulting
    • Jobsite inspections
    • Accident and injury investigations
    • Training
    • Job hazard analysis (JHA) and standard operating procedures (SOP)
    • OSHA inspection and citation assistance

    Take this concrete example from a manufacturing company as a reminder to act now before it’s too late. Don’t wait for OSHA to knock on your door; let GMS safety experts inspect your facility first. Learn more today.

  • In Pennsylvania, health insurers are proposing an average of 7.1% increase in monthly health premiums beginning January 2023. The state Insurance Department announced that 375,000 individuals who are covered through the online state marketplace could be affected by this increase.

    “Increased choices and plan options will provide Pennsylvanians with the opportunity to shop for the best coverage options for themselves and their families,” Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys said in a prepared statement. “As we navigate through the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania continues to have a strong and competitive insurance market.”

    A U.S Senate vote is expected this week on a bill called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which would extend premium subsidies for three years. Rate increases were attributed to rising health care costs, deferred claims resulting from the pandemic, and the end of enhanced premium tax subsidies.

    Additional Results Of Health Premium Increase 

    • Pennsylvania’s uninsured rate fell to 5.4%, the lowest rate due to the higher subsidies in 2022. 
    • Federal American Rescue Plan funding cut out-of-pocket premium costs by an average of 9% in 2022. The funding expires at the end of the year. 
    • It’s predicted that there will be an average increase of 5.2% for small groups. The department has the authority to modify the rate requests and continues to review the rates sought by insurers. 

    Help Lower Your Healthcare Premiums 

    Whether your organization lacks an HR department or needs a resource to make more informed decisions regarding benefits management, GMS can help. We offer you the opportunity to enter a relationship that encompasses all your administrative functions, allowing you to focus on what you do best. Contact us today to learn how you can lower your healthcare premiums.

  • While there have been multiple signs that the labor market is weakening, the number of Americans who filed for unemployment benefits has increased again. Over 260,000 workers filed for new unemployment benefits throughout the last week of July.

    In earlier months this year, the labor market had been one of the few bright spots in the economy. The unemployment rate remained steady at 3.6% for the fourth consecutive month, reaching a historic low. However, with unemployment claims rising to the highest level since November 2021, businesses such as Apple, Walmart, and Microsoft, are announcing hiring freezes and/or layoffs.

    The U.S. government announced that businesses had posted fewer positions amid concerns that the economy was weakening. In fact, for every unemployed individual, there are currently almost two job vacancies.

    Unemployment Claims Management

    The unemployment claims process can be cumbersome between changing compliance regulations and increasing costs for small business owners. Your company’s bottom line can be severely affected by rising unemployment insurance rates due to an increase in unemployment claims. When you partner with GMS, you no longer need to spend time trying to protect your business from unemployment claims and taxes. Contact us today.

  • President Joe Biden announced that the uninsured rate reached 8%, the lowest rate in U.S. history. Over 5.2 million individuals have gained health coverage since 2020. This news came shortly after the Democratic party released an extensive deal focusing on climate change, health care, and tax. This deal extended generous federal subsidies for people who buy private health insurance, which is credited with driving down the uninsured rates.

    In addition, Democrats have also proposed spending $64 billion to extend these price breaks for three more years. Originally set to expire this year, Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia agreed to extend the high subsidies until 2025. If Democrats can pass the package on a party-line vote in the Senate, this deal will be extended.

    The initial fall in uninsured Americans began in 2021 when Congress and President Biden signed off on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill. This bill ultimately lowered premiums and out-of-pocket costs for new or returning customers purchasing plans through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) private health insurance markets.

    Additional Actions

    After the ACA was enacted in 2010, the number of uninsured Americans began decreasing. The ACA expanded Medicaid and provided health insurance to individuals who lacked job-based coverage through a mix of subsidized private plans. It also produced improved health outcomes, better access to care, and improved financial security for families.

    Additional actions that are being taken to decrease the uninsured rate include expanding Medicaid under Obamacare in all states. Officials are also providing a path to legal status for unlawful migrants living in the U.S., so they can qualify for insurance programs.

    Furthermore, President Biden lobbied Congress to pass signature legislation to protect Obamacare gains. This legislation would lower healthcare costs and make health insurance coverage more accessible for families across the country.

    How GMS Plays A Part

    Although there is a lower uninsured rate, roughly 26.4 million individuals remain uninsured. If you’re an individual who is trying to find insurance, you’ve come to the right place. GMS now offers individuals voluntary benefits at a lower monthly rate. If you don’t receive benefits from your employer, GMS has you covered. Contact us today to learn more.

  • In late July, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a “public health emergency of international concern.” While employers are still dealing with the effects of COVID-19 within the workplace, the global spread of monkeypox, the rise of related health advisories, and the extensive media coverage about the virus leave employers concerned.

    Understanding Monkeypox

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention define monkeypox as: 

    “Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, which causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.”

    While experts are still assessing how this disease is transmitted, it is currently understood to be transmitted and spreads from person to person through:

    • Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or bodily fluids
    • Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact
    • Touching items that previously touched the infectious rash or bodily fluids
    • Pregnant women can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta

    Steps Employers Should Take

    While the health risk of monkeypox to the general public, including employees in non-healthcare settings, remains low, it’s still critical to evaluate current policies. A good starting point for a business owner is to reinforce specific health and safety protocols adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it’s vital to consider how you can limit the spread of monkeypox throughout the office. The following are precautions you should take, including:

    • Wash hands often with soap and water
    • Have sanitation stations located throughout the office 
    • Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace
    • Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
    • Stay home when you feel sick 

    GMS Is Here To Protect You

    While GMS can’t stop the spread of monkeypox, our HR experts can help you establish health guidelines and update handbooks to ensure your policies protect you as an employer. We help clients write safety manuals to ensure the safety of their employees. There’s no need to stress about the what-ifs and the endless number of questions you may have. Partner with GMS so we can help you take a proactive approach to ensure the safety and well-being of your employees. Contact us today. 

  • Since U.S. businesses are still having a difficult time filling open positions with quality talent, employers anticipate pay to go up in 2023. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were more than 11 million job openings at the end of May 2022. In addition, approximately four million workers quit each month. The question employers keep asking themselves is, why are so many employees leaving their jobs?

    Americans are quitting their jobs for multiple reasons, including: 

    • Seeking higher pay
    • Remote work is appealing to individuals 
    • Rejecting return to office policies 
    • Burnt out

    The Response From Employers 

    With a labor market that has more open jobs than individuals to fill them, businesses have been forced to stay current with what’s happening in the employee marketplace and how that affects pay. 96% of companies have begun increasing salary budgets. A study by WTW showed that the average salary increase hit 4.9% in 2022 compared to a four percent increase back in 2021. However, it is more important than ever for businesses to have a strategic plan while increasing salaries.

    Additional insights from the WTW survey show: 

    • 46% of employers cited employees have higher expectations for wage increases because of inflation
    • Two in three employers are budgeting for higher pay raises this year
    • 90% of employers are having trouble attracting talent
    • 75% of employers said the tight labor market is the main reason for increasing their salary budgets

    Will These Efforts Be Enough? 

    The question remains whether pay increases will be enough for workers as they continue to battle rising prices. Despite a 4.1% salary budget increase, businesses will still fall behind inflation with these pay raises. In turn, workers’ take-home pay is weakened, reducing their buying power. Even though workers continue to hold the upper hand in the job market, many still fear a recession is imminent, and they question the economy’s state.

    GMS Can Take Pressure Off Your Shoulders

    Although there is no way to predict the future and your employees’ response, GMS can certainly relieve you of some of the pressure you may be feeling. Our team of experts works diligently with your team to attract and retain quality employees. Our HR experts can help business owners conduct a salary analysis to determine the correct salary to offer employees based on the market conditions. No need to worry during these unprecedented times; allow GMS to take on the administrative burdens of running your business. Contact us today.

  • Legal issues must be considered when determining a hybrid work model. A hybrid work model combines working in the office with working remotely. A survey discovered that 68% of U.S. employees prefer a permanent hybrid work model after the pandemic ends. While a hybrid work environment may be a good solution for some, it also probes a handful of challenges.

    Legal Challenges For Hybrid Work Environments

    If you’re a business owner and you’ve considered transitioning into a hybrid work environment, you might want to consider the potential legal issues that come with the change. Hybrid work impacts tax compliance, reimbursement of working expenses, and the prohibition of discrimination. Regarding tax and legal compliance, your employees’ work and home locations must be up-to-date and consistent across all platforms.

    In addition, corporate tax rates and unemployment tax rates vary by state. Working in a state where a person does not live may result in income tax withholding in both states.

    Exempt or non-exempt

    Another challenge you may face when deciding on a hybrid work schedule is dealing with exempt and non-exempt workers. Should you have a non-exempt employee working a hybrid schedule, it will most likely be more challenging for the employer to comply with federal and state wage and hour laws. Employers must adhere to overtime pay, meal breaks, mandatory rest, and more.

    Discrimination 

    In addition, as an employer, discriminating against people from legally protected groups is unacceptable. You cannot allow or deny hybrid work for individuals based on gender, age, race, religion, and others. To ensure you are complying, have a written policy outlining the criteria that determine whether to allow or deny a hybrid work schedule request.

    How GMS Benefits Your Business

    Since many businesses have begun implementing a hybrid work schedule, it’s vital for the growth of your business to do what’s best for your employees. A study showed that 63% of employers currently offer hybrid work opportunities. Knowing that, it may be in your best interest to provide a hybrid work schedule to your employees to retain and attract quality talent. Want to learn more? Contact us today.

  • The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) declared that six states would become eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The loan is available to those who reside in South Dakota, Texas, Nevada, Nebraska, Kansas, and Idaho. The loan becomes available after the Secretary of Agriculture declares a disaster. The Secretary of these states announced the drought on June 13th, 2022.

    Which Disasters Qualify 

    Through the EIDL, the SBA provides low-interest, long-term loans to support: 

    • Businesses
    • Non-profit organizations
    • Renters
    • Homeowners

    The idea is designed to help businesses located in an area that has experienced the following disasters:

    • Drought
    • Flooding
    • Wildfires
    • Hurricanes

    How To Apply

    There are three steps to easily apply for EIDL loans: 

    • Check disaster declarations
    • Apply for the disaster loan
    • Check your status for monetary rewards 

    Businesses can easily apply online and receive further information. The deadline to apply for an economic disaster loan is February 13th, 2023. 

    Processing Loan Application

    Due to an overwhelming number of applications, the SBA has halted processing. Senators decided to step in since SBA has not progressed in processing applications. The loans serve as an essential source of capital for businesses within the area. This has become even more problematic as business owners are unable to get credit from other lenders.

    The original May 6th deadline for the initial requests was announced at the end of April. As applicants have not received the final say, senators have found it unacceptable. As the SBA has received criticism, the borrowers are still in need.

    GMS’ Support 

    In the aftermath of a disaster, rebuilding a business can be challenging. That’s when you need a reliable partner like GMS to help guide your business in the right direction. When it comes to changing legislation, GMS will always ensure your business remains compliant and that you are aware of available grants that would benefit your business. Contact GMS today!

  • Since the beginning of COVID-19, small business owners have continued to face ongoing hardships. While some problems stem from pandemic fallout, such as staffing issues or low retention rates, others were unforeseen. To combat these challenges, local government officials have made it a priority to help small businesses within their communities.

    What Is ARPA?

    The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was signed into law as a relief package. The main goal of the act was to support business owners and community members by providing:

    • State and local aid
    • Education
    • Rental assistance
    • Transit
    • Stimulus payments

    Fund Eligibility 

    Not only was the ARPA implemented for the state but also for local governments. ARPA authorizes additional funding totaling $350 billion to be distributed amongst all 50 states. These funds are only eligible to be used for:

    • Revenue replacement due to the COVID-19 public health emergency
    • COVID-19 expenditures or negative economic impacts which include assistance to small businesses, households, and hard-hit industries and economic recovery
    • Premium pay for essential workers
    • Investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure

    Fund Restrictions 

    Since the money is split between state and local aid, there are different requirements that were established. The influx of funds is beneficial to the state and local finances. However, it also supports aiding recovery from budgetary, economic, and financial impacts of the pandemic. Funds are available until December 31st, 2024. Each county within the state can make its own use of the funds, along with providing them with specific monetary amounts, and who can apply for them. All states, however, have the following restrictions:

    • Funds may not be deposited into any pension fund
    • Funding is to be spent by the end of the 2024 calendar year
    • Allocation to states cannot be used to directly or indirectly offset tax reductions or delay tax, or tax increase

    Why GMS

    At GMS, our mission is to see small businesses succeed. When it comes to changing legislation, GMS is the first to ensure that your business will remain compliant. Stay up to date on all the opportunities to support your business’s recovery following COVID-19. Contact GMS today to learn more.