August 2, 2024
Compliance Recap | July 2024
July was a busy month for sponsors of group health plans. The final DOL rule on overtime exemption requirements went into effect July 1. IRS Form 5500, due on July 31 for calendar year plans, applies to most public and private sector businesses providing plans to 100 or more participants. Also ...
July 29, 2024
Upcoming Changes for HDHP Plan Sponsors under Medicare Part D
Employers who sponsor group health plans must act now regarding the status of their prescription drug coverage in advance of changes to Medicare Part D that go into effect for 2025. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) made changes to Medicare Part D to enhance benefits and enrollee cost ...
July 23, 2024
Employee Benefits | Upskilling Managers for Conflict Resolution
Managers often need to handle workplace disputes to keep productivity and employee well-being on track. With conflicts on the rise, it’s crucial to train managers in conflict resolution. Recognizing the Need Conflicts are escalating due to geopolitical issues, labor strikes, climate change, and ...
July 16, 2024
Workplace Culture | Embracing Generational Diversity
Effective communication is essential for embracing generational diversity and fostering inclusive workplaces. Recognizing that personality differences, rather than age, often drive workplace conflicts can help improve communication and collaboration. Studies show that paying attention to ...
July 9, 2024
Dear HR Manager from Interested in Soft Fridays
Dear HR Manager, My team is thinking about starting Soft Fridays to boost well-being and productivity. Do you have any tips to roll this out? – Interested in Soft Fridays Dear Interested in Soft Fridays, “Soft Fridays” sounds like a great idea. Giving employees the flexibility to choose how ...
July 3, 2024
Compliance Recap | June 2024
June saw the ACA Preventive Care Mandate upheld, with an exception that could open it up for future challenges. There was more movement on reproduction rights and privacy, where healthcare providers are barred from disclosing sensitive information to law enforcement without patient consent. ...
June 20, 2024
Advocacy in Action | Labor and Delivery Bills
A member contacted her Patient Advocate to request an audit of delivery bills for her newborn baby. The Patient Advocate reviewed the EOB’s and discovered that the insurance carrier had over-applied her deductible. It appeared that the member had met her deductible and out of pocket expenses of ...
June 18, 2024
Employee Benefits | Offering Financial Wellness
Financial wellness is essential to employee satisfaction and organizational success in the rapidly evolving modern workplace. Financial wellness benefits can alleviate employee stress, leading to increased productivity, reduced turnover, and a more engaged workforce. Understanding Financial ...
June 11, 2024
Workplace Culture | Embracing No-Meeting Fridays
As companies strive to enhance productivity and employee well-being, No-Meeting Fridays is gaining traction. This initiative aims to tackle the inefficiencies associated with frequent meetings and create a more focused work environment. Without the constant interruptions of meetings, employees ...
June 4, 2024
Compliance Recap | May 2024
In May, employers sponsoring self-funded medical plans or an applicable HRA began preparing to submit the PCORI fee, due July 31. The IRS released inflation-adjusted amounts for 2025 HSAs, EBHRAs, and HDHPs. The ACA Section 1557 nondiscrimination regulations were finalized, broadening the ...
