Pandemic Spurs Supplemental Benefits Uptake Among Workers
A new study has found that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic nearly half of U.S. workers added one new supplemental health-related benefit on top of their group health coverage. The 2021 “Aflac WorkForces Report” found that 44% of employees bought
Employers Mull Higher Health Plan Cost-Sharing for Unvaccinated Staff
Some employers are considering a new incentive for their workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19: Charging them higher health insurance premiums if they don't. A recent brief from consulting firm Mercer reported that employers are looking at surcharging the health insurance
HHS Proposes Higher Cost-Sharing Limits for 2022
The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed cost-sharing limits that would apply to all Affordable Care Act-compliant health insurance policies for the 2022 policy year. The ACA imposes annual out-of-pocket maximums on the amount that an enrollee in a
IRS Lets Employers Give Workers a Break on FSA Contributions, Health Plan Rules
New guidance from the Internal Revenue Service allows employers to temporarily give their employees extra benefits leeway in making changes to their flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). The guidance, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, also allows
EEOC Issues New COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines for Employers
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has affirmed that employers can mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employees, subject to some limitations. The EEOC’s updated guidance offers direction regarding employer-mandated vaccinations, accommodations for employees who cannot be vaccinated due to a disability or sincerely
Trimming Hours to Avoid Employer Mandate Can Land You in Hot Water
Ever since the Affordable Care Act was enacted, critics of the law have said that employers would cut staff or reduce workers' hours to avoid coming under the employer mandate requiring them to provide coverage for their staff. But employers that
Changes for 2021 Summary of Benefits and Coverage
There are new Summary of Benefits and Coverage notice requirements for health plans starting with the 2021 coverage year. The requirements, released by the Department of Labor, have new model templates, new instructions and new information that affects the coverage examples
How COVID-19 Will Change Employee Benefits
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses and other organizations in multiple ways. Lost revenue and the overnight change to remote workforces, among other things, have caused significant changes to operations and finances. A new report shows that there will be
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