Hoffman’s Bistro and Patisserie: Restaurant Impossible!

By mcassidy on January 5, 2012 | Category: Blog | Tags: Food, Hoffman's Bistro and Patisserie, Lifestyle, Restaurant Impossible, small business | No Comments

If there’s one thing I like, it’s food. I get my inspiration from my imagination, perusing the web and of course the Food Network. One show that captures my interest is Restaurant Impossible. I adore Robert Irvine’s innovation and ability to whip a restaurant into shape and to profitability. I mean, who doesn’t like a good make over?

As with most things, the closer it is to home the more important it is. I just learned that next week, January 11, 2012 at 10pm, Robert will be to the rescue for one of our client’s: Hoffman’s Bistro and Patisserie in Santa Cruz, California.

The episode description on the Food Network’s site reads,

“The 10-year-old venture is more than $2 million in debt, and the stress on the family-run business has resulted in a tense and uncomfortable environment for employees and customers alike. Chef Robert’s drastic plan to completely overhaul the restaurant is needed to save the business, but with only two days and $10,000, will they be able to reopen without alienating customers and tearing the family apart?”

So I have to wonder… can he do it? Between Robert’s Restaurant Impossible abilities and and Hoffman’s 3.5 Yelp stars (a pretty decent score) I think it is possible.

If you are a Santa Cruz local or in the area – be sure to visit Hoffman’s Bistro and see for yourself. And of course, tune into the Food Network next week to see the transformation!

1102 Pacific Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

(831) 420-0135

www.hoffmanssantacruz.com

photo source: Lanie L

Different Types of Deductibles

By mcassidy on November 30, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Benefits, Deductible, Group, Health Plans, HSA, Insurance, Insurance Carriers, Medical | No Comments

Health insurance is much like a foreign language in that it really is a completely different lexicon to most. If you do not understand how to translate, the miscommunication could easily cause a panic when it comes time to use your insurance. In an attempt to break it down for you, I have decided to review deductible definitions.

A deductible is the amount of out-of-pocket expenses that must be paid for by the insured for health services before becoming payable by the insurance carrier. The In-Network (PPO) deductibles will be lower than the Out-of-Network (Non-PPO) deductible. Deductibles apply each calendar year and are reset every January 1st. There are two commonly used types of deductibles in health plans: embedded and non-embedded.

First, let us review the embedded deductible. If you are on a family (two or more members covered) medical plan with an embedded deductible, your plan contains two components – an individual deductible and a family deductible. Having two components to the deductible allows each member of your family the opportunity to get his/her medical bills covered prior to the entire dollar amount of the family deductible being met. The individual deductible is embedded in the family deductible.

For example, if you, your spouse and son are on a family plan with a $3,000 family embedded deductible, including an individual deductible of $1,000, and your son incurs $1,000 in medical bills, his deductible is met and your insurance will help pay any subsequent medical bills for your son that year even though the family deductible of $3,000 has not yet been met.

On the other hand, if your insurance policy contains a non-embedded family deductible, (often referred to as an aggregate deductible) an individual deductible is not embedded in the family deductible. In this situation, before your insurance helps you pay for any of your family’s medical bills, the entire amount of the deductible must be met. It can be met by one family member or by a combination of family members. There are no benefits until expenses equaling the deductible amount have been incurred. The best example of an aggregate deductible plan is a Health Savings Account (H.S.A).

If you aren’t sure whether or not the plan you are enrolled in has an embedded or non-embedded deductible – call your insurance carrier! Don’t be afraid to use the 800 number on the back of your ID card. It’s better to know than to guess.

Post-Halloween, Pre-Thanksgiving:

By mcassidy on November 7, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Food, Halloween, Lifestyle, Thanksgiving, Wellness | No Comments

This might seem untimely as Halloween has already passed but Thanksgiving is right around the corner. And if your office is anything like mine, there are definitely remnants of Halloween lingering about the kitchen.

The folks over at Greenlite Medicine have a blog up with a few healthy tips for surviving the tricks of Halloween treats. One of my favorite points is, “Stay on track; remember that Halloween is the kick off season for weight gain. Don’t be tricked into eating that treat and gaining weight…” I think this is especially poignant regardless of the holiday. With Thanksgiving coming up in just a few short weeks and a slew of “food holidays” on the horizon, focus is key. “Remember: a treat isn’t really a treat if you have to backpedal too much with your dieting efforts!” focus

Fire Prevention Week

By mcassidy on October 10, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Fire, Personal Insurance, Safety | No Comments

The history of National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, that occurred on October 9, 1871. The final tally was staggering: More than 250 people dead, 100,000 homeless, 17,400 structures destroyed, and $168 million in damage. The first Fire Prevention Week, born out of the desire to save lives and prevent tragedy, was created in 1925 by President Coolidge. During Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, 2011 attention focuses on promoting fire safety and prevention.

most frequently identified with home fire deaths:

SMOKE ALARMS

A working smoke alarm can alert you to danger and make the difference between life and death. Install and maintain a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Be sure to replace the battery every year. It is a simple way to keep you and your family better protected 24-7.

Test your smoke alarms monthly.

Most hardware, home supply or general merchandise stores sell smoke alarms and their batteries. Some local fire departments offer smoke alarms at little or no cost.

ESCAPE PLANS

home fire escape family practice If a fire breaks out in your home, do you know how you will get out? Create an escape plan and make sure everyone in your home practices it. Plan two routes of escape from every room, and designate a meeting place outside of the home. Remember: get out and stay out.

Draw a basic diagram of your home, marking all the windows and doors, and plan two routes out of each room. Download the Fire escape grid here.

If you have older children, have them practice crawling, touching doors or going to the window, according to your escape plan.

CHILD FIRE SAFETY

Children under age 5 are twice as likely as the rest of us to die in a home fire. Children depend on their parents and other caregivers to protect them.

Keep matches and lighters out of their reach.

Maintain a working smoke alarm on every level of your home.

Practice a fire escape plan.

Pick a meeting spot outside of the home.

Teach toddlers to tell you when they find a match or lighter.

Remember that even child-resistant lighters are not childproof, and store them safely.

Never use matches or lighters as amusement. Children may imitate you.

stop, drop and roll

OLDER ADULT FIRE SAFETY (BOTH COOKING AND HEATING)

Most fires in the home start in the kitchen. For older adults, fires that begin while they are cooking are the third leading cause of fire death.

Remember not to leave cooking food unattended.

Do not wear loose clothing when cooking.

Keep towels and potholders away from the range.

Never use the range of oven to heat your home.

When buying a space heater, look for the auto-off feature should the heater fall over.

Keep space heaters at least three feet away from other objects.

Your fireplace should have a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.

CARELESS SMOKING

In the USFA Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings Report, it notes that smoking was the leading cause of fatal residential building fires.

Males accounted for 57 percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings; women accounted for 43 percent of the fatalities.

Approximately 43 percent of civilian fatalities in residential building fires are between the ages of 40 and 69.

Thirteen percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings were less than 10 years old.

If you smoke, put your cigarette out completely when you are done with it. Careless smoking is the number one cause of preventable home fire deaths.

Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes, remember: do not leave them burning unattended, do not smoke in bed and always use deep ashtrays.

Now, take the Fire Safety Quiz and see how well you do.

Healthy Eating Plate

By mcassidy on September 15, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Department of Agriculture, Family, Individual, Lifestyle, Wellness | No Comments

I read an interesting article today from another blog, which touches on an article I wrote back in June about your lifestyle being just as important as any diet out there. What I failed to mention was the US Department of Agriculture’s ousting of the food pyramid we came to know in adolescence and its replacement: MyPlate.

Now, Harvard professors have upped the ante, creating their own version of this diagram entitled the Healthy Eating Plate.

P.J. Skerrett, editor of the Harvard Heart Letter and senior editor for InteliHealth, writes that a group of his “colleagues at Harvard Health Publications worked with nutrition experts at the Harvard School of Public Health to create a better version.” This version offers more accurate recommendations for following a healthy diet and is not influenced by the food industry or agriculture policy.

Here is what the Healthy Eating Plate recommends:

Make half your meal vegetables and fruits. Go for variety. And keep in mind that potatoes and french fries don’t count.
Choose whole grains whenever you can. Limit refined grains, like white rice and white bread, because the body rapidly turns them into blood sugar.
Pick the healthiest sources of protein, such as fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; cut back on red meat; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats.
Healthy oils (like olive and canola oil) are good for you. Don’t be afraid to use them for cooking, on salad, and at the table.
Drink water, tea, or coffee. Milk and dairy are not must-have foods—limit them to 1-2 servings/day. Go easy on juice. Avoid sugary drinks.
And stay active!

Simple, right? Right.

So what is the difference between MyPlate and Harvard’s Health Eating Plate, you ask? Well, other than adding verbiage to the elementary pictures, MyPlate recommends dairy or milk at each meal even though there is not much evidence noting it is actually beneficial. There is more evidence that consuming dairy can be harmful and little confirmation that high dairy intake protects against osteoporosis. Health Eating Plate includes the importance of consuming healthy oils (like olive and canola oil) stating they are good for you. Healthy Eating Plate holds its basis on nutritional science, uninfluenced by commercial pressure.

To that end, I am reminded of an excerpt from the New York Times best seller Skinny Bitch (pardon my French!) about losing weight on a health vegan diet. No, I am not a vegan, but I found it interesting and thought to share the excerpt.

When a woman gives birth, her body produces milk and she nurses her child. Breast milk can grow an 8-pound newborn into a 24-pound toddler. Sounds pretty fattening, huh? It is. By design, it is intended to allow for the biggest growth spurt of a person’s entire life. Breast milk alone can accommodate for a 300 percent weight gain in a 12 month period. When her child is anywhere from 12 to 24 months old, a mother stops breast feeding. Her milk dries up. The child will never drink breast milk ever again.

Cows, like all mammals, are much the same. Their bodies produce milk only when they give birth. Contrary to popular belief, they do not need to be milked – ever. Their udders, like women’s breasts, exist even when there is no milk in them. There is one major difference, however. Cows’ milk, by design, grows a 90-pound calf into a 2,000-pound cow over the course of 2 years. It allows calves to double their birth weight in forty-seven days and leaves their four stomachs feeling full. Sounds even more fattening than human milk, right? It is. It should be. Cows are bigger than humans. And the inner workings of their bodies are completely different than ours, which they should be. They are cows. We are humans. Duh.

Appealing, no? So it’s like any good mother told you as a child – eat your fruits and veggies and have well-balanced meals. Just don’t eat like it’s going out of style.

UHC Prescriptions: Refill & Save

By mcassidy on September 12, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Benefits, Employees, Insurance Carriers, Medical, Prescription Drugs, United Healthcare | No Comments

Refill and Save Program

United Healthcare’s Refill and Save program allows members to receive a $20 discount on their copay when they refill their prescription within a specified amount of time.

For a typical 30 day supply picked up at the pharmacy, the member would have the 30 day limit on refill, then an additional 30 days to refill their prescription (total of 60 days from date first Rx is picked up) to receive a $20 discount on their second copay.

Please note that only certain medications are covered under this program.

• Asthma: combination respiratory inhalers (Advair and Dulera)
• Depression: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (Cymbalta and Pristiq)

1. When do I need to refill my prescription to stay eligible for the $20 savings?

To qualify for the $20 savings, you must refill your prescription within 30 days of the day it was scheduled to run out. So if your prescription was written for 30 days, you’d have that 30 days plus a 30-day grace period (for a total of 60 days) to refill your prescription in order to qualify for the $20 discount.

2. If the grace period runs out before I refill my prescription, can I still get the $20 savings?

No, if it has been more than 30 days since your prescription was scheduled to run out, you will not receive the $20 savings on your next refill. However, you will receive the $20 savings on all following refills, as long as you refill within the 30-day grace period from when your prescription was scheduled to run out.

3. How does the discount work if I refill my prescriptions by mail?

You will receive the $50 savings when you refill your 90-day prescription by mail. Including the 30-day grace period, your refill deadline to qualify for savings is extended to approximately 120 days from your last refill.

4. What if I get a 90-day refill at a retail pharmacy?

You will receive the $20 savings when you refill your 90-day prescription at your retail pharmacy. Including the 30-day grace period, your refill deadline to qualify for savings is extended to approximately 120 days from your last refill.

COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under ARRA

By mcassidy on August 30, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Benefits, COBRA, Department of Labor, DOL, FAQ, Health Plans, Medical | No Comments

If you will recall, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided a COBRA premium reduction for eligible individuals who were involuntarily terminated from their jobs from September 1, 2008 through the end of May 2010. These individuals are allowed to pay reduced premiums (35%) for up to 15 months, so long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare. However, if you experienced an involuntary termination after May 31, 2010, you were out of luck.

Though Congress passed several extensions, legislation to extend eligibility to workers laid off past May 31, 2010 never passed. Specifically, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 which was signed by President Obama on July 22, 2010, did not extend the COBRA premium reduction.

Saying that, the 15 months of premium assistance for this last group will come to an end tomorrow. In light of the subsidies coming to an end, The Department of Labor updated Tuesday its COBRA ARRA Web page with six FAQs:

Q1: I’ve heard that the COBRA Premium Reduction (Subsidy) ends on August 31, 2011, is this true?

Not necessarily, some individuals will still be eligible to receive the subsidy beyond August 31, 2011. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided a COBRA premium reduction for eligible individuals who were involuntarily terminated from employment through the end of May 2010. Due to the statutory sunset, the COBRA premium reduction under ARRA is not available for individuals who experience involuntary terminations after May 31, 2010. However, individuals who qualified on or before May 31, 2010 may continue to pay reduced premiums for up to 15 months, as long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare even if their COBRA coverage did not start until a later date due to the terms of a severance arrangement, or the use of banked hours or other similar provision that delayed the start of their COBRA coverage. For example if an individual was involuntarily terminated on May 31, 2010 and due to the terms of a severance agreement their COBRA coverage did not start until December 1, 2010, they would still be eligible for the full 15 months of subsidy through February 29, 2012 as long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare.

Q2: Is the COBRA Premium Reduction (Subsidy) still available to individuals who have lost their jobs?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided a COBRA premium reduction for eligible individuals who were involuntarily terminated from employment through the end of May 2010. Due to the statutory sunset, the COBRA premium reduction under ARRA is not available for individuals who experience involuntary terminations after May 31, 2010. However, individuals who qualified on or before May 31, 2010 may continue to pay reduced premiums for up to 15 months, as long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare.

Individuals who believe they have been incorrectly denied the subsidy may request the Employee Benefits Security Administration to review their denial and issue a determination within 15 business days. The application to request a review is available on this Web site.

Q3: What can I do if I believe I am eligible for the premium reduction but my plan sponsor has denied my request for treatment as an “assistance eligible individual”?

If the plan determines that you are not eligible for the premium reduction, you can request an expedited review of the denial. The Department of Labor will handle requests related to private sector employer plans subject to ERISA’s COBRA provisions. Applicants may either be the former employee or a member of the former employee’s family who is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage or the COBRA premium assistance through an employment-based health plan. The Department of Health and Human Services will handle requests for Federal, State, and local governmental employees including public schools, public colleges and universities, or a police or fire department, as well as requests related to group health insurance coverage provided pursuant to state continuation coverage laws. The Departments are required to make a determination regarding your request within 15 business days after receiving your completed application for review. The Secretary of Labor may assess a penalty against a plan sponsor (and similarly, the Secretary of HHS against a health insurance issuer) of not more than $110 per day for a failure to comply with a determination within 10 days after the date of the receipt of the determination.

Note: Appeals to the Department of Labor must be submitted on the U.S. Department of Labor application form. The form is available at www.dol.gov/COBRA/main.html and can be completed online or submitted by mail or fax as indicated in the instructions. If you believe you have been inappropriately denied eligibility for the premium reduction, you may wish to speak with an Employee Benefits Security Administration Benefits Advisor at 1.866.444.3272 before filing this form. Appeals to the Department of Health and Human Services must be submitted on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services application form. The form is available at www.continuationcoverage.net and can be submitted by mail or fax as indicated in the instructions. For more information about the review of denials, individuals can also contact Maximus, a CMS-sponsored contractor, at 1.866.400.6689.

Q4: I have been on COBRA with the 65% premium subsidy for almost 15 months, what should I do?

Those individuals who qualified for the premium reduction were only required to pay 35 percent of the COBRA premium otherwise due to the plan. This premium reduction is available for up to 15 months. If your COBRA continuation coverage lasts for more than 15 months, you will need to pay the full amount to continue your COBRA continuation coverage. If you are unsure when your 15 months of premium assistance ends or how much the new premium is, contact your plan right away so that you can make sure you pay the correct amount for the correct time period. If you do not make the full payment within the correct time period, your COBRA coverage can be canceled.

Q5: What if I can not afford to pay the full premium for the remaining 3 months?

It is very important to pay the remaining 3 months if at all possible, as you lose some health coverage rights or options if your COBRA is terminated for non-payment. Individuals who exhaust their COBRA are eligible to obtain coverage through state high risk pools and also qualify for special enrollment in a spouse’s plan. These rights are lost if an individual’s COBRA is terminated for non-payment. (Note: If a person becomes eligible for coverage in a new employer’s plan or spouse’s plan, they lose eligibility for the subsidy and are required to notify their COBRA provider of their eligibility for the other coverage.)

If you have limited income and resources (assets), you may want to contact your state to determine if you are eligible for Medicaid or other programs that may assist you in obtaining assistance with health coverage.

Q6: If I did not make the premium payment on time and my coverage was canceled what can I do?

You may want to contact your plan and ask if they will reinstate your coverage; however, if your coverage was terminated for not making the payment within the grace period, the plan is not required to reinstate your coverage. If you believe your coverage was canceled inappropriately, please contact an EBSA Benefits Advisor at 1.866.444.3272 for assistance.

If you have lost coverage, and are not eligible to enroll in a new employer’s plan or a spouse’s plan, you may want to contact your state department of insurance to get information about obtaining an individual policy. You may be able to cover your children under your state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program- call 1.877.KIDS.NOW (1.877.543.7669) or go to www.insurekidsnow.gov to find out about eligibility and enrollment.

Additionally, the Affordable Care Act provides that plans or issuers that make available coverage to dependent children must make such coverage available for children up to age 26. Because this provision has a varying applicability date, contact the plan to see if such coverage is available. The Affordable Care Act also established Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP) for those with pre-existing conditions. For information about how these plans work, go to www.healthcare.gov.

6 FAQ’s gleaned from Jenny Ivy.

Insurance Carriers to Cover Birth Control with No Copays

By mcassidy on August 3, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Benefits, Health Care Reform, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Wellness | No Comments

As recently as the 1990s, many health insurance plans didn’t even cover birth control. Protests, court cases, and new state laws led to dramatic changes. Today, almost all plans cover prescription contraceptives — with varying co-pays. Medicaid, the health care program for low-income people, also covers contraceptives. Undoubtedly you heard via news sources, but in case you haven’t, it was reported yesterday that health insurance plans must cover birth control as preventive care for women with no co-pays next year.

According to Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the decision is a part of the Affordable Care Act’s effort to stop problems before they start. “These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need,” she said in a news release.

This new requirement is part of a broad expansion of coverage for women’s preventive care under healthcare reform law. The new rule proposed on Monday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will take effect August 1, 2012. It will require that insurers provide contraceptive services, breast-feeding support and supplies, domestic violence screening and counseling, regular “well woman” visits, counseling about HIV and sexually transmitted infections, screening for gestational diabetes, human papillomavirus (HPV) and several other preventive services without charging women any co-payments, co-insurance or a deductible. The full list of preventive services is on the HHS’ website.

Copayments are the amount people pay upfront when they fill a prescription or go to an appointment with a medical provider.

Farmers Markets – An Adventure in Wellness

By mcassidy on July 22, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Wellness | No Comments

Farmers Markets have gained considerable popularity in recent years. With the option to support your local community, obtain fresh fruits and vegetables along with a myriad of other items ranging from flowers to jewelry, it’s no wonder.

I recently discovered that the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service maintains a current searchable (voluntary & self-reported) database of Farmers Markets near you.

After a little more delving and perusing, I was surprised to learn just how many year-round Farmers Markets are in the South Bay Area. I’ve compiled a list of 25 different Farmers Markets for you to check out.

Alum Rock

Sunday 8:00 AM to 1:00PM
Year-round

The Alum Rock Village Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Alum Rock Village Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Berryessa

Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-round

The Berryessa Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Berryessa Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Cambrian

Wednesday 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
May – September

Campbell

Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-round

Cupertino

Friday
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-round

The Vallco Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Vallco Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Evergreen

Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

The Evergreen Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Evergreen Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Japantown San Jose

Sunday 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Year-Round

Kaiser Permanente San Jose

Friday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Year-round

The Kaiser Permanente San Jose Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara

Thursday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Year-round

The Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Los Altos

Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

Los Gatos

Sunday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
April – December
Sunday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
January – March

The Los Gatos Farmers’ Market is located on Montebello Way and Broadway Extension adjacent to Town Park Plaza in downtown Los Gatos. All their markets feature some of the best organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, cheese, dried fruits, nuts, beans, herbs, breads, specialty spreads and dressings, preserves, juice, fresh cut flowers, and freeze-dried flower arrangements and wreaths in season. While there are no breads at the Los Gatos market, it is the only market with an oyster bar.

Menlo Park

Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

Milpitas

Sunday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

The Milpitas Farmers’ Market at ICC is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Milpitas Farmers’ Market at ICC until December 31, 2011.

Mountain View

Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

Old Macdonald’s (San Jose)

Monday – Sunday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Year-round

Palo Alto

Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

San Jose Blossom Hill

Sunday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Year-round

The Blossom Hill Farmers’ Market at the Princeton Plaza Mall feeds the Blossom Hill Neighborhood of San Jose. Meet over 40 California family farmers and local food lovers from all over Santa Clara County. Rain or shine!

San Jose Downtown

Friday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
May 6, 2011 to Nov 18, 2011

The San Jose Downtown Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the San Jose Downtown Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Santa Clara

Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

Santa Teresa

Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
April 30, 2011 to November 19, 2011

The Santa Teresa Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Santa Teresa Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Santana Row

Sunday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Apr 3, 2011 to Oct 30, 2011

The Santana Row Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the Santana Row Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

Saratoga

Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

Seasonal fruits and vegetables for Saratoga and Santa Clara County year-round in the parking lot at the West Valley College at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market direct from local California farmers. With over 50 farmers and food producers, you are sure to find something you love!

Sunnyvale

Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Year-Round

Willow Glen

Sunday 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
May 8 – Oct 30

The Willow Glen Community Farmers’ Market – featuring nearly 40 booths – is located at The Garden Theater building, 1165 Lincoln Avenue, in the heart of Willow Glen. More than 100 on-site parking spaces are available, with vehicle entrances at both Meredith and Willow.

VA Palo Alto

Wednesday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Apr 13, 2011 to Nov 16, 2011

The VA Palo Alto Farmers’ Market is offering an incentive program that offers a $5 bonus when you purchase at least $10 in EBT/CalFresh tokens at the Farmers’ Market. If you receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps), bring your EBT card to the farmers’ market every time you shop. See the market manager in the bright yellow shirt to purchase tokens to spend in the market and claim your bonus. The Extra Five program continues at the VA Palo Alto Farmers’ Market until December 31, 2011.

W-2 Reporting: What Employers Need to Know

By mcassidy on July 6, 2011 | Category: Blog | Tags: Employer, Health Care Reform, IRS, W-2 | No Comments

You’ve probably heard that employers will be required to report the cost of employer-sponsored health benefits on W-2 forms. Here are a few questions and answers about W-2 reporting and what employers need to know:

Why are employers required to do this reporting?
The recently enacted Affordable Care Act (or health care reform law) requires employers to include the cost of health coverage on the W-2 form in a new field starting with the 2012 tax year (W-2s filed in 2013). Employers who will issue fewer than 250 W-2 forms are exempt from this requirement until the 2013 tax year.

If the cost of health coverage is on the W-2, does this mean that it’s taxable?
No, this is a reporting requirement only and does not affect the amount taxed.
When do employers need to start issuing W-2s with this amount?
The requirement starts for the 2012 calendar year and reporting is optional for 2011. If an employer issues fewer than 250 W-2 forms, that employer does not have to start reporting until the 2013 tax year.

How do employers know what amount to report on W-2s?
There are three methods employers can use to calculate the cost of coverage:
1.     COBRA-applicable premium
2.     Modified COBRA premium
3.     Premium charged (for insured plans only)
For more details on these methods, see the IRS Notice 2011-28 for interim guidance on how to calculate the cost of coverage.

What type of coverage doesn’t need to be reported on the W-2 form?
According to various sources, employers would not need to include these amounts in the W-2 reporting:
•    Accident insurance
•    Disability insurance
•    Employee contributions to health care flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts
•    Long-term care insurance
•    Standalone dental and vision coverage
•    Workers’ compensation insurance

We expect to receive more guidance from the Internal Revenue Service, so this list may change.

Refill and Save Program

Q1: I’ve heard that the COBRA Premium Reduction (Subsidy) ends on August 31, 2011, is this true?

Q2: Is the COBRA Premium Reduction (Subsidy) still available to individuals who have lost their jobs?

Q3: What can I do if I believe I am eligible for the premium reduction but my plan sponsor has denied my request for treatment as an “assistance eligible individual”?

Q4: I have been on COBRA with the 65% premium subsidy for almost 15 months, what should I do?

Q5: What if I can not afford to pay the full premium for the remaining 3 months?

Q6: If I did not make the premium payment on time and my coverage was canceled what can I do?

Farmers Markets have gained considerable popularity in recent years. With the option to support your local community, obtain fresh fruits and vegetables along with a myriad of other items ranging from flowers to jewelry, it’s no wonder.

I recently discovered that the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service maintains a current searchable (voluntary & self-reported) database of Farmers Markets near you.

After a little more delving and perusing, I was surprised to learn just how many year-round Farmers Markets are in the South Bay Area. I’ve compiled a list of 25 different Farmers Markets for you to check out.

You’ve probably heard that employers will be required to report the cost of employer-sponsored health benefits on W-2 forms. Here are a few questions and answers about W-2 reporting and what employers need to know:

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