Beth Alcalde

A noted employee benefits lawyer, author, and speaker, Beth Alcalde represents Fortune 500 companies and other public and private entities, including those in the hospitality, healthcare, and higher education sectors, throughout the United States. As a leader within the firm, Beth is a longtime member of Akerman’s Board of Directors, and is also a current member of Akerman’s Executive Committee. Previously she chaired the firm’s Professional Development Committee, and served as office managing partner of the firm’s Palm Beach County offices. Noted in Chambers USA as “terrific at coming up with imaginative solutions,” Beth provides counsel on employer-sponsored benefit plans, from compliance with ERISA, the Affordable Care Act, and other federal regulations, to internal audits and benefits-related implications of corporate transactions. She assists clients in defending and responding to audits conducted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Of particular emphasis, Beth has represented group health plan sponsors in responding to audits of the quantitative and non-quantitative treatment limitations within their plans, as required by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.

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Health Care Reform – New Guidance for Employers and Relief for Mid-Size Employers

By Beth Alcalde on February 24, 2014 Posted in Employee Benefits

Employers in all industries are well aware of the complexities of the Affordable Care Act, and the seemingly constant barrage of guidance that interprets the health care reform requirements that apply to them. We have a recent perfect example. A lengthy final rule was issued on February 12, 2014, jointly by the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading

Are You Considering Conditioning a Job Offer on an Agreement that the Applicant’s Disabled Dependent Won’t Enroll in the Health Plan? Don’t.

By Beth Alcalde on April 2, 2013 Posted in Employee Benefits

Traditional employment laws often interact with traditional employee benefit laws. One such example is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’s impact on employer-sponsored group health plans. As group health plan costs continue to rise, and as federal health care reform legislation focuses additional attention on health plan design and coverage issues, it is important for … Continue Reading

Health Care Reform – Should Employers Reduce Expected Health Costs in 2014 by Transitioning Some Full Time Employees to Part Time Status Now?

By Beth Alcalde on February 1, 2013 Posted in Employee Benefits

2013 is shaping up to be a very busy year for employers in all industries, with the continued implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). Recognizing that in 2014, applicable large employers will avoid ACA-related penalty taxes by offering required affordable group health plan coverage just to full-time employees (i.e., those working … Continue Reading