October 13, 2023
Proposed Guidance for Mental Health Parity Regulations
On July 25, 2023, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services (the “Departments”) released proposed rules on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2023. These proposed regulations would update ...
October 10, 2023
Workplace Culture: The Need for a Modern Dress Code: Staying Relevant in Changing Times
Updating a company’s dress code might not be the most pressing concern for HR departments and managers, but it’s crucial in today’s evolving workplace. As work dynamics undergo significant shifts, including an influx of younger employees and the prevalence of remote work, ...
October 4, 2023
Compliance Recap | September 2023
In September, plan sponsors began sending out Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage notices, and both Oregon and Maine announced Paid Family and Medical Leave laws. Sponsors of group health plans began completing the required Gag Clause Attestation due by the end of 2023. The Departments of ...
October 3, 2023
Employee Benefits: Tips for a Successful Open Enrollment
Open enrollment is a critical period for HR managers and employees, especially given the evolving healthcare landscape and the changing nature of work. Rising healthcare costs, persistent inflation, hybrid work models, and increased employee expectations have reshaped the open enrollment ...
September 19, 2023
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Creating a Culture that Promotes Trial and Error
Leaders’ reactions to mistakes can shape an organization’s culture. Blame-based responses often lead to resentment and unproductive behavior, while blameless cultures foster learning and growth. Leaders in a blameless culture focus on understanding the root causes of issues and taking ...
September 14, 2023
Advocacy in Action | Assistance with Anesthesia Bill
A member’s daughter had a history of seizures and her pediatric neurologist recommended an MRI be completed. Due to the child’s young age, sedation was required to perform the testing. The MRI testing was arranged and scheduled at an In-Network hospital. The testing was performed by ...
September 12, 2023
Workplace Culture | Salary Transparency in Job Postings
The importance of pay transparency is on the rise as more organizations now include salary ranges in their job postings. Recent research from Payscale indicates a significant increase in employers adopting this practice, with the percentage of job postings featuring pay ranges jumping from 22% ...
September 6, 2023
Compliance Recap | August 2023
In August, the IRS announced a decrease in the ACA affordability percentage to 8.39%. Both Colorado and Illinois expanded their leave laws. The Department of Labor released its updated version of the Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Notice. ...
September 5, 2023
Dear HR Manager from Struggling Manager
Dear HR Manager, How do I give my team feedback without a performance review? I am a new manager, and I can see that several of my team members need guidance. I don’t want them to think I am picking on them, as I have experienced those uncomfortable conversations. I want to be a good... ...
September 5, 2023
IRS Significantly Decreases 2024 ACA Affordability to 8.39%
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Revenue Procedure 2023-29, reducing the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) affordability percentage to 8.39% for plan years beginning in 2024, down from 9.12% in 2023 (which was further decreased from 9.61% in 2022). The affordability percentage is ...
