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Final Rules Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
On Sept. 9, 2024, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), and the Treasury (IRS) (collectively, the Departments) released new final rules implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The final rule updates the way the Departments determine whether health plans treat mental health and substance use disorder…
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Benefits Breakdown October 2024
Employers Project 8% Increase in Health Care Costs in 2025 A recent survey of employers by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) revealed that U.S. employers estimate a median 8% increase in health care costs for 2025. Catastrophic health claims and rising specialty prescription drug prices are driving the projected increase. According to…
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Benefits 101: What Is a FSA?
When it comes to health insurance, there is a lot of jargon and plenty of acronyms. Many people have heard of FSAs, but may not actually know — what is a flexible spending account, exactly? If you have an employer-sponsored health plan, a flexible spending account (FSA) is often available as part of the benefits…
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The Pay or Play Percentage Increase for 2025
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires large employers to offer affordable health insurance coverage to their full-time employees or face a penalty known as the “Pay or Play” tax. This tax is based on the employer’s average monthly wage (AMW) and the number of full-time employees. The affordability rate for employer-sponsored health coverage will increase from 8.39%…
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Bridging the Generational Divide: Leveraging Technology for Effective Communication
In today’s diverse workplaces, effective communication across generations is essential for fostering collaboration, productivity, and a positive work environment. Understanding the unique communication preferences of each generation can help bridge the gap and create a more inclusive and harmonious workplace. Technology can play a crucial role in bridging the generational gap and facilitating seamless communication.…
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Compliance Recap | Aug. 2024
FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS FTC NON-COMPETE BAN NATIONWIDE: IMPORTANT INSIGHTS FOR EMPLOYERS On August 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas delivered a crucial ruling, effectively halting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Rule prohibiting most non-compete agreements. The Rule, which was set to go into effect on September 4, 2024, was…
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Empowering Gen Z: Building a Competitive Benefits Package
Get ready for a new wave of talent! Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012), or Zoomers, is the youngest generation entering the workforce, and they’re bringing fresh perspectives and priorities. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z isn’t just punching a clock. They crave opportunities for personal and professional growth, a workplace that prioritizes mental well-being,…
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Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Rebates: A Timely Reminder
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) to ensure that health insurance companies spend a significant portion of premiums on medical care and quality improvement activities rather than administrative costs and profits. When insurers fail to meet the MLR threshold, they are required to issue rebates to plan sponsors. Understanding MLR…
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Open Enrollment: Your Annual Check-Up for Benefits
Navigating health insurance can feel like planning a vacation. You wouldn’t pack for a beach trip if you’re headed to the mountains, right? Similarly, choosing a health plan requires careful consideration. Open enrollment is your chance to design a plan tailored to you; it is your yearly opportunity to review and adjust your employee benefits…
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Benefits Breakdown September 2025
Early Preparation Is Crucial for 2025 Open Enrollment With the 2025 open enrollment season around the corner, employers have an opportunity to develop attractive benefits offerings and proactively communicate with employees to win them over. Early preparation can help show employees they are valued, convince top performers seeking job changes to stay in their current…
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