Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or colloquially as “Obamacare,” was signed into law in March of 2010 with the goal of increasing the quality and affordability of health insurance for millions of Americans.
While the Act’s employer shared responsibility payments will not apply until 2015, and in some cases, not until 2016, there are provisions and safe harbors to consider and decisions that can be made now that may help businesses, employees and a business’s bottom line. Further, there are many unintended consequences arising out of the ACA that business owners, both large and small, need to consider when administering health care arrangements.
We are carefully following the developments associated with the roll-out of ACA and are providing counsel to business owners and other professionals, helping them to address compliance issues, evaluate exposure to penalties and other tax issues as well as planning strategically for the future.
Affordable Care Act Articles
A Primer on Guardianship/Conservatorship in Missouri
With the population aging, the onslaught of some of the conditions that come with aging is increasing. The need for a guardian/conservator is more prevalent today than in years past. A guardianship is a legal process whereby one individual is appointed by the Probate...
Keeping Corporate Records: Is it Time to Prepare Minutes?
If you are an officer or director of a corporation or other business entity, you've undoubtedly been advised to maintain the corporate separateness of your business. If you haven't, let us so advise you now (January 16, 2006 Article and October 16, 2007 Article). One...
Missouri Upholds Large Punitive Damages Award in Wrongful Discharge Case
Missouri is an “at-will” employment state, meaning employers generally have the right to terminate employees for any reason or no reason at all, with or without cause. However, the public policy exception to the at-will doctrine provides that an employer may be...
Stuck in Litigation Over a Non-Compete Agreement with Time Ticking? Know Your Rights and Liabilities
It seems like a simple notion: a restrictive covenant only works if it takes effect during the time period mandated by the covenant. For instance, a two-year covenant not-to-compete must be declared enforceable and take effect within the two-year time frame....