The Big Question: Can Employers Require Workers to Vaccinate?
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and more employers bring staff back to the workplace, many businesses are considering implementing mandatory vaccination policies for seasonal flus as well as the coronavirus. A safe and widely accessible vaccine would allow businesses to
Uncertainty Weighs on Group Plan Cost Expectations
U.S. employers are expecting their group health insurance costs to climb 4.4% in 2021, despite the ravages of pandemic and a likely uptick in health care usage next year, according to a new survey. The expected rate increases are on par
How to Distribute Group Health Plan Rebates to Your Staff
Group health plan insurers are paying out $689 million in rebates to plan sponsors this year, as required by the Affordable Care Act's "medical loss ratio" provision. The provision requires insurance companies that cover individuals and small businesses to spend at
Helping Your Older Workers Transition to Medicare
As health insurance costs rise and our workforce ages, fewer employers are providing retiree health insurance benefits to their older workers, and are instead asking them to sign up for Medicare. It's a delicate situation as some older workers may resent
Final Rule Paves Way for Drug Imports to Reduce Patient Costs
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration have issued a final rule and guidance that paves the way for states to allow pharmacists and wholesalers to import prescription drugs in order to reduce costs for patients. The
Pandemic Clouds Health Insurance Cost Predictions
With large employers expecting health insurance rates to climb 5.3% in 2021, they are concerned about how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect overall health care costs in the coming years, a new survey has found. Those expectations gleaned from the survey
Getting a Head Start on Open Enrollment
With open enrollment right around the corner, it's time to review the health plan options available to you for the next year and prepare your workplace for signing up for the 2021 policy year. The big decision for employers is finding
How to Distribute Group Health Plan Rebates to your Staff
Group health plan insurers are paying out $689 million in rebates to plan sponsors this year, as required by the Affordable Care Act’s “medical loss ratio” provision. The provision requires insurance companies that cover individuals and small businesses to spend at
Employees Pick Perks and Benefits Over Pay Raises
Great perks and incentives packages can help attract top-notch talent, maintain employee morale and improve overall engagement and satisfaction with a company. The coronavirus pandemic has made perks and benefits even more important, particularly in light of so many workers feeling
More Employers Ask Workers to Sign COVID-19 Waivers, But They May Not Be Legal
As lawsuits against employers continue rising amid the coronavirus pandemic, some businesses are requiring workers to sign waivers absolving them of liability and responsibility should they contract the virus. Eight percent of executives surveyed by law firm Blank Rome said they