• The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum was recently awarded an $80,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The successful application was written by Children’s Museum director Dr. Ginny Weibel in collaboration with the Columbia County Commissioners. The grant will provide funding for a renovation of the lobby of the Children’s Museum, adding a wheelchair ramp to replace the current lift, and refurbish the popular Greenway exhibit. The renovated Greenway will provide additional hands-on and interactive exhibits on topics such as local outdoor recreation, camping, geo-catching, native and invasive turtle and plant species, waste recycling and water conservation and protection, to name a few. 

• The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) will hold a free four-hour seminar on leadership development tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 12, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, 725 Front St., Berwick. This program helps individuals become stronger, more impactful leaders. While joining other managers and supervisors to discuss workplace challenges, attendees will explore topics that include Self-Awareness, Power & Authority, Risk & Failure, and Leadership Style. Using self-assessment tools and experiential learning, attendees will examine their strengths and weaknesses while exploring best practices of exceptional leaders. To register, and for a list of other locations of similar seminars, visit NEPIRC’s registration page. 

• The office of Congressman Dan Meuser will hold its first annual Holiday Open House this Friday, Dec. 13, from 2-5 p.m. at the Congressman’s Pottsville district office, located at 121 Progress Ave., Losch Plaza Lobby, Pottsville. Food, drink and holiday spirit will be provided, and attendees are asked to bring a toy for the Toys for Tots drive. RSVP by email or call 570-871-6370. 

• Bloomsburg University’s fall graduate commencement is scheduled for this Friday, Dec. 13, and undergraduate fall commencement is on Saturday, Dec. 14. To help provide a safer environment for students, family members and guests and to expedite entry into facilities during large events, BU will be implementing guidelines that limit the size and type of bag that may be brought into its facilities. Please see the entire document that outlines the guidelines for its clear bag policy. 

• Wild For Salmon will host a holiday tasting this Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at its retail store located at 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg. There will be samples of various holiday-inspired dishes and other festive samples available, as well as a couple of other vendors there as well. Visit the Facebook event for more information. 

• The dealerships that make up the Ken Pollock Auto Group, including Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln in Berwick, are holding their annual coat drive through Dec. 17. They will be collecting gently used and new coats in all dizes at their dealerships and tire and auto center to help families in the local communities. All donations collected at Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln will go to Columbia County Head Start.

From Caz Russell, LLC

I recently turned 66 years old, according to what my calendar is showing me. I don’t feel 66. We often see ourselves, let’s say, as we remember in our finest moments. A high school prom, a new job position or even our wedding day.

Most of all at this time of year, I find reflection is highly needed. What will I do differently next year? What will I do to grow my leadership influence? How will I grow? Mark Twain tells us that the two greatest days in a persons life are the day we are born and the day we know why.

To help us answer our what, how and why questions, here are three important areas in our lives that will help us find these answers.

1. The relationships we form, form us! What new relationships will I form that will help me grow? What current relationships do I need to repair? Am I connecting others to build new relationships?
2. The decisions we make, make us! Each of us make over 1,000 decisions every day. I might not always make the best decision, but I can learn to manage all of my decisions. Once I have decided there is a decision to make, have I sought the input from others?
3. The experiences we have, shape us!We might not all have the same experiences, but everyone has them. It’s my choice to either stumble or climb. Have I chosen to mourn or learn from the experience?

Searching for your best year ever? Searching to become the best version of you that you can be? Taking the time to reflect, reduces stress and increases personal growth. Reflection, like a GPS, helps us to move from who we are to who we want to be.

This Christmas season, let us reflect on this year of 2019 and use these observations to make 2020 our best year ever.

Visit the Chamber’s business consultants category for more on Caz Russell and all of our member consultants. 

More than 400 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and our region. Increased membership allows us to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. The Chamber welcomes its newest member, First Commonwealth Bank, to help us fulfill our mission.

Based in Indiana, Pa., First Commonwealth Bank operates 147 community banking offices in 28 counties through western and central Pennsylvania and throughout Ohio. It provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management and insurance products and services. In early September of this year, First Commonwealth Bank completed the purchase of 14 branches in central Pennsylvania from Santander Bank, including the branch in Danville, located at 315 Mill St. The Danville branch can be reached at 570-849-3061 or visit its website. 

From ChamberChoice

The IRS recently released Notice 2019-50, which outlines the health insurer fee for the 2020 tax year. 

To help fund the creation and ongoing operation of the federal and state marketplace exchanges, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that all insurers offering fully-insured health insurance programs pay an annual tax. The tax is not applicable to self-funded group health plans sponsored by an employer, but does apply to a self-funded Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA).

The amount of this tax, often called the health insurance tax (HIT) or fee (HIF), paid by insurers, is calculated based on each insurer’s proportionate share of the marketplace. Congress suspended this tax for 2019 due to concerns with the impact the tax was having on premiums, but without any legislative action the tax will resume next year. Although the tax was initially $8 billion (referred to as the applicable amount) in its first year (2014), the amount has increased each year, with the IRS expecting to collect a little over $15 billion dollars cumulatively from all carriers in 2020.

The health insurance tax will impact all insurers offering medical, dental and vision insurance (called “covered entities”), through both off-exchange and on-exchange individual markets, the small and large group marketplace, and programs like Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D. And although plan sponsors do not need to take any action pursuant to Notice 2019-50, they will not escape being impacted by the fee. Most carriers have indicated that they will set their premium levels for 2020 to incorporate these additional fees. If the IRS implements the tax as planned, the fee is expected to add an estimated 3-4% on medical plan renewals, with the biggest impact on Medicare Advantage and Part D premiums. 

Cats in Bloom, the newest area nonprofit organization that opened its doors for the first time last month, had a ribbon cutting on Friday, Dec. 6, to mark the launch of the organization and the opening of the cat cafe in downtown Bloomsburg. 

Cats in Bloom helps rescued cats find their way to adoptive homes by providing a comfortable and relaxed environment where rescued cats and people can enjoy companionship and make lasting connections. 

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

As we head into the final year of the 2019-20 legislative session, the results of the PA Chamber’s recent Economic Survey confirm two key trends for state and federal lawmakers to take heed of: with the economy continuing on an upward trajectory, businesses are cautiously optimistic, but there are major concerns regarding the status of the Commonwealth’s workforce. The policies enacted in our state and national capitols, particularly as they relate to energy, labor and trade will be the determining factors in whether Pennsylvania’s economy either builds on this positive momentum or falls behind.

Each year, we survey hundreds of executives across the state, seeking their responses on a number of policy issues and general business matters. As I’ve previously noted, for the second year in a row, employers are identifying the lack of a skilled workforce as the number one problem facing their companies. Many employers are also reporting they expect to hire more workers in the next year. Jobs without people is just as big a problem as people without jobs. To that end, it’s important to recognize two broader trends in regards to Pennsylvania’s changing demographics. First, the state’s unemployment rate continues to remain low, and the number of working Pennsylvanians is at an all-time high. However, the state continues to age while overall population stagnates. Workforce, which is already a challenge, will become an even bigger hurdle to businesses in Pennsylvania if this trend isn’t reversed.

That is why it is critically important that our elected officials focus on policies that will improve the state’s business climate. Pennsylvania has an opportunity to be a beacon for investment and innovation, but only if the private sector is given the ability to continue to grow.

Recent analyses by the economists at Wells Fargo note two of the biggest contributors to employment growth and GDP gains have been the state’s natural gas and biotechnology sectors. Conversely, the only sector of the state’s economy to have shed jobs over the past twelve months is in manufacturing.

We believe this is in part due to the impact of tariffs and a national trend in a decline in export orders. A better national approach to trade is in order, starting with Congressional ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. 1.5 million Pennsylvania jobs depend on international trade, with two of our biggest trading partners being Canada and Mexico. 

Additionally, state lawmakers need to follow the federal government’s lead by enacting meaningful regulatory and tax reform. We consistently hear from our members that Pennsylvania’s overly burdensome regulatory environment continues to be a barrier to growth. Likewise, the Commonwealth’s tax structure also sends red flags to potential investors. A recent Tax Foundation report found that the state’s overall tax climate ranks 29th in the nation and the corporate tax structure ranks an abysmal 46th. We need to make fundamental changes in these arenas if we want to compete on both a national and global scale.

The health of the state’s manufacturing sector is vital to the health of its other industries, given how much these facilities support jobs in construction, utilities, health care, schools and services. A contraction in the manufacturing sector could portend broader economic consequences, which means lawmakers should be especially careful about contemplating energy policies that would increase costs on energy-intensive industrial customers. As discussions surrounding climate and air quality policy continue in Harrisburg, we urge caution in policymaking so that we do not end up disadvantaging Pennsylvania manufacturing. Innovation, not higher energy prices, are what is needed to meet our economy’s needs for energy in a sustainable manner. Pennsylvania should be the hub of innovation across all fuel sources – not a place that, because of misguided policy, has such expensive heat and electricity that the next century of advances in technology and energy happen somewhere else.

• Recently, the Danville Primary School in the Danville Area School District joined the Johns Hopkins University’s National Network of Partnership Schools, a nationwide program that helps create excellent schools where families, teachers, staff and community members work together to create successful students. This new designation encompasses many things, one of which is creating home learning areas for children. As part of this initiative, the Primary School is looking to purchase children’s desks for children in the school that may need assistance. If you or your organization is interested in assisting with this goal, please see the flyer, and for additional information or questions, contact June Heeter by email or at 570-394-8413. 

• The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) will hold a free four-hour seminar on leadership development on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, 725 Front St., Berwick. This program helps individuals become stronger, more impactful leaders. While joining other managers and supervisors to discuss workplace challenges, attendees will explore topics that include Self-Awareness, Power & Authority, Risk & Failure, and Leadership Style. Using self-assessment tools and experiential learning, attendees will examine their strengths and weaknesses while exploring best practices of exceptional leaders. To register, and for a list of other locations of similar seminars, visit NEPIRC’s registration page. 

• The office of Congressman Dan Meuser will hold its first annual Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 13, from 2-5 p.m. at the Congressman’s Pottsville district office, located at 121 Progress Ave., Losch Plaza Lobby, Pottsville. Food, drink and holiday spirit will be provided, and attendees are asked to bring a toy for the Toys for Tots drive. RSVP by email or call 570-871-6370. 

• Wild For Salmon will host a holiday tasting on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at its retail store located at 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg. There will be samples of various holiday-inspired dishes and other festive samples available, as well as a couple of other vendors there as well. Visit the Facebook event for more information. 

• The dealerships that make up the Ken Pollock Auto Group, including Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln in Berwick, are holding their annual coat drive through Dec. 17. They will be collecting gently used and new coats in all dizes at their dealerships and tire and auto center to help families in the local communities. All donations collected at Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln will go to Columbia County Head Start.

The 2019 Holiday Open House, sponsored by Geisinger, will once again be the Chamber’s largest event of the year. As usual, it is expected that parking will fill up quickly at the Pine Barn Inn. So, for the second straight year, there will be two official overflow lots with a shuttle to bring attendees from these lots to the Pine Barn.

The two overflow lots are: Geisinger’s overflow valet lot at the corner of Bloom St. and Poplar St. (lower left corner of map below) and Geisinger’s Knapper Clinic lot (upper right). The shuttle, courtesy of Susquehanna Valley Limousine, will run in a continuous loop from these lots to the Pine Barn from 4:30-8:30 p.m. There will be a sign (left) in both lots at the pick-up and drop-off points.

Special thanks to the Pine Barn, Geisinger and Susquehanna Valley Limousine for their cooperation in arranging the extra parking and shuttle service. We look forward to seeing all of our members and guests on Dec. 12.

Chamber members enjoyed a late fall afternoon at Pretty Petals & Gifts by Susan perusing through the store full of floral arrangements and many hand crafted gift items that were on sale, while also sampling some great food selections from Cherokee Tap Room at the Chamber’s final Business After Hours of 2019, held on Nov. 20 at Pretty Petals’ Bloomsburg store. 

Pretty Petals & Gifts by Susan, which provides a wide selection of gift items and floral products for all occasions, also celebrated the second anniversary of its Bloomsburg store during the month of November. It is one of two such stores, with the other located in Paxinos. Pretty Petals is holding its annual Holiday Open House promotion this weekend (not to be confused with the Chamber’s Holiday Open House next week), and will also again be providing the floral arrangements for the Chamber’s Holiday Open House on Dec. 12. 

Business After Hours provide regular opportunities to build business relationships while learning about the services offered by other Chamber members. The next Business After Hours, is currently slated for Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 at the Danville Child Development Center, 986 Wall St., Danville. The 2020 Business After Hours schedule is still in the process of being put together, however, so that could change should a organization sign up to host an event in January. If you organization is interested in hosting a 2020 Business After Hours, please fill out an application. The available dates are listed on the application. 

From ChamberChoice

Employers who sponsor health plans and other benefits are required to distribute a number of other notices and documents to plan participants or eligible employees. Each document has its own purpose and distribution requirements. The following is a brief list of these notices (note that not every notice may be applicable to every employer):

1. Summary Plan Description (SPD). The purpose of the SPD is to inform participants and beneficiaries about the plan and how it operates. It must be written for an average participant to be sufficiently comprehensive to apprise covered persons of their benefits, rights, and obligations under the plan. 

2. Summary of Material Modifications (SMM). This notice describes material modifications to a plan and changes in the information featured in the SPD. This must be distributed to all plan participants no later than 210 days after the end of the plan year in which the change is adopted. If the change is a material reduction in coverage, it must be provided within 60 days of the effective date of the change.

3. Lifetime Limit Notice. The notice informs eligible plan participants that there is no lifetime limit on the dollar value of benefits under the company’s group health plan. This must be kept for the employer’s records along with information about the health plan.

4. The Dependent Coverage to Age 26 Notice. This notice informs eligible plan participants that they may choose to cover their legally dependent children up to age 26 under the company’s group health plan.

5. Patient Protections Notice. This notice informs eligible plan participants about their rights to choose a primary care provider or a pediatrician when a plan or issuer requires designations of a primary care physician.

6. HIPAA Special Enrollment Rights Notice. The notice informs eligible plan participants about additional opportunities to enroll in a group health plan if they lose other coverage or experience certain life events, commonly referred to as Qualifying Life Events (QLEs). This must be given to eligible employees at or before the time they are offered the opportunity to enroll in the group health plan.

7. Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act Notice. This notice explains the protections for eligible plan participants. Group health plans and health insurance issuers may not restrict benefits for a hospital stay in connection with childbirth to less than 48 hours following the vaginal delivery or 96 hours after a delivery by cesarean section. If your company’s coverage is insured by an insurance company or an HMO, and your state has a law controlling coverage for newborns and mothers that meet specific criteria, then the rights and protections depend on the state law.

8. Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act Notice. This notice explains the protections for eligible individuals who elect breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. Group health plans offering mastectomy coverage must also provide coverage for certain services relating to the mastectomy. Required coverage includes all stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed, surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance, prostheses, and treatment of physical complications of mastectomy, including lymphedema.

9. Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization (CHIPRA) Notice. This notice informs eligible plan participants and their children that their state may have a premium assistance program that can pay for coverage using funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs.

10. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. This notice provides a clear and understandable explanation of the individual’s rights with respect to their personal health information and the privacy practices of health plans and health care providers. The notice must be distributed to all plan participants during enrollment if the employer is subject to HIPAA privacy rules. If there is a revised notice, then the revised notice must be provided within 60 days of the material revision. Individuals who are covered by the plan must be notified of how and where to obtain the notice at least once every three years.

11. Marketplace Notice. This notice helps employees evaluate the different options for health insurance. It provides some basic information about the new Marketplace. The notice should be distributed to all employees on the date of hire.

12. Summary of Benefits and Coverage. Employers who sponsor health plans are required to provide a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) to employees eligible for health coverage prior to enrollment or reenrollment, and/or upon employee request. The SBC for all available plans must be
provided when the employee is first eligible. The SBC for the plan in which the employee is enrolled should be provided when open enrollment materials are distributed. If open enrollment materials are not distributed, the employer must provide the SBC by the first day the employee is eligible to enroll.

Because there are so many different requirements for document distribution, we recommend that the employer regularly distribute a “Notice Package” that includes all of the above (as applicable) notices and documents.

This article gives a basic overview of recent regulation as in effect on the date of the article. Please be aware that the determination of the requirements and the application of these rules to each employer may differ due to a number of variables. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice.