Category Archives: Health
DOL Issues Guidance on Preventive Care Court Order
On March 30, 2023, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued an order in Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra (“Braidwood”), vacating any and all actions taken by the DOL and other federal agencies (in the … Continue reading
Workers Are Enrolled in HDHPs – Over Half of U.S. Private-sector
More than half (55.7%) of American private-sector workers were enrolled in high deductible health plans (HDHPs) in 2021, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s recent 2022 Employer Health Benefits Survey. The 5.3% increase from 2020 is the highest on record, … Continue reading
Study Reveals Americans’ Top Health Priorities
Study Reveals Americans’ Top Health Priorities New survey research reveals that Americans believe the government’s top public health priority should be lowering costs for health care and prescription drugs. The market firm Ipsos and news website Axios teamed up for … Continue reading
Employee Guide to the Major Types of Health Plans
You have many choices when it comes to selecting a health insurance plan, which can make the process feel overwhelming. Health plans vary and have their own sets of benefits and drawbacks related to coverage, physicians, copays and premiums, among … Continue reading
PRIORITIZING WELLNESS DURING THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
Many may be excited for school to start after a long summer. However, the new school year can come with new and recurring challenges. The 2022-23 school landscape looks different from previous years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mask mandates are … Continue reading
Inflation Reduction Act Contains Some Health Reforms
On Aug. 12, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act. President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law shortly. While this bill is primarily aimed at fighting inflation and reducing carbon emissions, it also … Continue reading
Pay or Play Affordability Percentage Decreased for 2023
On Aug. 1, 2022, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2022-34 to index the contribution percentages in 2023 for determining the affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2023, employer-sponsored … Continue reading
2023 Open Enrollment Checklist
To prepare for open enrollment, group health plan sponsors should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023. Employers should review their plan documents … Continue reading
MANAGING STRESS AND ANXIETY DURING TROUBLING TIMES
Tuning into the news may be highly stressful or upsetting for many Americans. If you’ve been experiencing stress or anxiety due to current events, you are not alone. Stress is part of everyday life, but it can be particularly heightened … Continue reading
Combating Rising Benefits Costs During Periods of High Inflation
The U.S. inflation rate has increased by 8.3% over the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This has led to significant price increases across various consumer goods as well as employee benefits such as health insurance. … Continue reading