The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires employers to report the aggregate cost of employer-sponsored group health coverage on employees’ Forms W-2. The purpose of the reporting requirement is to inform employees about the cost of their health coverage. The reporting does not cause employees’ health coverage to become taxable to them.

A number of legal challenges to the health care reform law have been filed in federal court since the law was passed in March 2010. Nearly all of the challenges have been based on constitutional grounds. So far, four U.S. Courts of Appeals - the 4th, 6th, 11th and D.C. Circuits - have ruled on challenges to the health care reform law. Two of the courts have upheld the law, one has not and one has ruled that the plaintiff did not have standing to bring a challenge.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires employers to report the aggregate cost of employersponsored group health plan coverage on their employees’ Forms W-2. The purpose of the reporting requirement is to provide information to employees regarding how much their health coverage costs.

See the attached document for a table of IRS indexed figures for 2012 in comparison to 2011 figures.

Opening November 2011 - The Blue Shield Store, where members can come for face-to-face service and support. The new San Francisco-based Blue Shield Store is a pilot program aimed at providing members a personal approach to their health plan. Members can come in and talk with a Blue Shield associate when they need answers about their coverage.

See the attached 2011 Health Observances Calendar for significant health related events throughout the year.

Blue Shield is pleased to announce that they have a new two-year agreement with Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Community Hospital (or CHOMP), effective January 1, 2011, which makes access to quality care more affordable for members of both Blue Shield of California and Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company (Blue Shield Life) plans. The new agreement adds many CHOMP based physicians who are now Blue Shield innetwork providers for specialties such as radiology, radiation oncology, pathology, psychiatry, and emergency medicine.

The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2011. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes.

Signed into law Friday, the 2010 Tax Relief Act extends the current $230 monthly limit for pretax transit benefits through 2011.

Like you, we are awaiting developments on Capitol Hill regarding the transit and parking pre-tax funding maximums for 2011. You may recall that the February 2009 "stimulus" bill equalized the limits for parking and transit to $230 per month. However, under that same legislation, this is also scheduled to expire at the end of 2010.

Effective immediately, employers are required to provide a reasonable space and time for nursing mothers for one year after their child’s birth. This space must be an enclosed location, other than a restroom, and protected from intrusion of the public and coworkers.

Great News!! Today, the IRS released Notice 2008-104, which delays the need for all pharmacies and drug stores to implement an Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) or certify that 90% of their gross receipts were derived from the purchase of eligible medical expenses in order for payment cards to be used at their locations.

Maintaining good posture is a simple yet effective way to keep the structures in the back and spine in good working order. In fact, good posture and back support are essential in reducing back and neck pain. Even sitting at a desk all day can wreak havoc on the back and neck, and result in painful strains.

Vision problems affect one in 20 preschoolers and one in four school-aged children. Vision problems can begin at an early age; therefore it is important that children receive proper eye care. Untreated problems can worsen and lead to permanent vision loss and delayed development. Because it is possible for your child to have a serious vision problem without being aware of it, infants should be screened for common eye problems during their regular pediatric appointments.

H1N1 flu is an infection caused by the influenza A virus. It is a respiratory disease of pigs; however, human cases of H1N1 have been identified in the U.S. as well as internationally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that H1N1 is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma. You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here are some tips on how to safely enjoy your time in the sun.

Caffeine myth or caffeine fact? It's not always easy to know. Chances are you have some real misperceptions about caffeine. For starters, do you know the most common sources of caffeine? Well, maybe two of the sources aren't too hard to name -- coffee and tea leaves. But did you know kola nuts and cocoa beans are also included among the most common caffeine sources? And do you know how much caffeine content can vary from food to food? Turns out it's quite a lot actually, depending on the type and serving size of a food or beverage and how it's prepared.

The holidays are here and it’s usually a time of celebration but for some, it may be a time of self-evaluation, reflection on the past and even anxiety about the upcoming year. Sometimes, we feel the stress that accompanies the holidays and our eating habits may have an effect on our job performance.

Truth or myth: You need 8 hours every night? Stay up and read this tonight (you’ll thank us in the morning!)

Is bottled water better than tap? Prepare to be shocked. Bottled water - already a more than $10 billion industry - is the fastest-growing beverage category in the U.S. But is it good for you? Here's the pure truth.