News/Blog

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers covered by the law to provide eligible employees unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons. Covered Employers The following employers are covered by the FMLA: Public agencies, including federal, state and local governments; Local educational agencies, including public and private elementary and secondary schools and public…

Health care spending in the United States has been trending upward for decades, and analysts at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) predict that total employer spending this year will increase by 5.8% to $1.3 trillion. Furthermore, spending per participant will increase by 6% to $7,459. However, due to increased health care expenses…

The upcoming 2024 U.S. election is poised to significantly influence the healthcare and health insurance industries, as healthcare remains a pivotal issue for voters and policymakers alike. The election’s outcome will shape policies that determine how Americans access and pay for healthcare, with profound implications for costs, coverage, and the overall system. Potential Policy Shifts…

A Heavy Issue As renewal season approaches, employers are reexamining their health insurance options, with a significant focus on GLP-1 coverage. The popularity of GLP-1 medications is surging, fueled by extensive media attention on their weight-loss benefits. While these drugs are often seen as a quick solution, there is a significant amount of misinformation about…

Tips for Retaining Employees in 2024 Around 27% of U.S. workers quit their jobs in 2023, which, according to a common turnover calculation, cost employers nearly a trillion dollars to replace. Unfortunately, turnover is expected to climb this year, and labor experts predict another form of the “Great Resignation” to take place as workers choose…

PCORI Fees Due July 31, 2024 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). The fees are reported and paid annually using IRS Form 720, the Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return. Form 720 and full payment of the PCORI fees are…

Mental Health in America and How to Get Help More than half of adults in the United States will experience mental illness—which refers to a variety of conditions that affect one’s mood, behavior, feelings or thinking—at some point in their life. Mental illnesses can occur occasionally, while others are chronic. Common mental illnesses include anxiety,…

On April 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule that strengthens the HIPAA Privacy Rule by prohibiting the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) related to lawful reproductive health care in certain situations. The final rule requires covered entities, including health plans, to update their privacy notices…

Breathing 101 Breathing is something you do all the time, often with little or no thought. Even during times of stress, your breathing will typically unconsciously shorten. Learning to control your breathing can be an essential tool for improving your mental and physical health. Breathwork, which is known as the combination of breathing exercises and…

Artificial intelligence (AI) garnered attention from every industry in 2023, revolutionizing the way organizations operate and make decisions. Many employers adopted this technology to streamline operations, enhance workflows and improve customer experience. Looking ahead, organizations are expected to adopt AI at an even more rapid pace. According to Grand View Research, AI has an expected…