Helping Your Employees Find the Right Plan for Them
Studies have found that nine out of 10 employees opt for the same benefits every year and that around a third of workers don't fully understand the group health plan benefits they are enrolled for. Staying in the same plan after
COVID-19 Home Test Kits Reimbursable under FSAs, HSAs
Under new guidance issued by the IRS, at-home COVID-19 testing kits will be considered a reimbursable medical expense under the three main health care savings vehicles offered to employees. This new guidance adds to the list of personal COVID-19-related expenses for
Group Plan Affordability Level Set for 2022
The IRS has announced the new affordability requirement test percentage that group health plans must comply with to conform to the Affordable Care Act. Starting in 2022, the cost of self-only group plans offered to workers by employers that are required
PBM Trade Association Sues Over Transparency Rules
As the federal government continues rolling out new laws and regulations aimed at increasing price transparency in the health care industry, one group is fighting back: pharmacy benefit managers. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, a trade association for PBMs, has sued
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
Rules Allowing Mid-Year Health Plan, FSA Changes Will Sunset
A temporary rule that allowed covered employees to make mid-year election changes to their health plans and revisit how much they set aside into their flexible spending accounts (FSAs) will sunset at the end of the year. The rules gave employers
Employer Medical Costs Expected to Rise 6.5% in 2022
As this year sees increased health care spending due to pent-up demand after many people delayed medical procedures in 2020, a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) predicts employer medical costs will rise 6.5% in 2022. Last year was the first time
Tackling the Group Health Employee Premium Burden
As the labor market tightens and businesses struggle to attract new talent, many companies are starting to boost their employee benefit offerings, particularly voluntary benefits. But besides added benefit choices, what many employees want is relief from continually increasing health premiums
Put Money into an HSA instead of a 401(k) After Employer Matching: Report
One of the main recommendations for employees with 401(k) plans is that they should contribute at least enough to their plan every paycheck to ensure they receive the maximum they can in their employer's matching contributions. But a new study by
HDHPs Do Not Slow Down Health Care Spending: Study
A new study has found that high-deductible health plans have only a limited effect on the growth of health care spending for people who sign on for these plans. The National Bureau of Economic Research researched HDHPs over a period of