Approximately one-third of Americans have medical debt, and more than half of those individuals have defaulted on their bills. Hospital costs can accumulate quickly and feel overwhelming, especially when most bills contain errors. Fortunately, there are ways to catch medical bill errors and reduce costs. Employees should: not pay the …
By offering voluntary benefits, employers satisfy more of their workforce’s unique needs. The voluntary nature of the benefits allows employees to decide on an individual basis whether additional coverage would be beneficial or not. In 2023, there are several trends on the rise: Holistic Benefits. The pandemic caused coverage gaps …
After the costly holiday season, the new year is a great time to reset and embrace January as financial wellness month. A recent survey found that as of October 2022, around 60% of American consumers are living paycheck to paycheck. Another survey found that 84% of employees wish their employers were more involved …
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to spread information on a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Approximately, 60 million people worldwide have glaucoma, and around 4.5 million of those individuals are blind as a direct result of this disease. What is glaucoma? This sight-stealing eye disease can affect …
On January 11, 2023, the U.S. government extended the COVID-19 public health emergency until April. This extension comes as a highly transmissible Omicron subvariant, known as “Kraken,” has caused an increase in hospitalizations. Since the emergency was originally declared in January 2020, it has been renewed every 90 days by …
The U.S. surgeon general released framework depicting how employers can encourage employee mental health and well-being. Improving mental health has become increasingly important due to the effects of COVID-19. The stressors of the pandemic can be felt in the workplace, so it’s important that employees feel properly supported. The five-part …
Dental benefits are advantageous when aiming to keep healthy. Oral hygiene affects overall well-being, not just the condition of teeth and gums. If proper dental health is not maintained, significant and expensive issues may occur. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to implement beneficial oral practices. Proper Oral Practices …
On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA) was signed into law. This allows high deductible health plans (HDHPs) to offer benefits for telehealth and other remote services prior to meeting the deductible without jeopardizing health savings account (HSA) eligibility. Plan years between December 31, 2022, and January …
The New York Paid Family Leave Law will consider siblings (i.e., biological, adopted, half, or step-siblings) as covered family members, effective January 1, 2023. This expansion is due to Governor Hochul signing S.2928-A on November 1, 2021. Siblings do not need to reside in New York to qualify. It’s important …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the maximum limits on cost-sharing for 2024, which will go into effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2024. The maximum annual limitation on cost sharing in 2024 is: $9,450 for self-only coverage $18,900 for family coverage …
Employers subject to Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting under Internal Revenue Code 6055 or 6056 have reporting deadlines in early 2023. Employers with self-insured health plans and applicable large employers (ALEs) with fully insured or self-insured health plans are subject to ACA reporting. ALEs are typically employers with 50 or …
Around 77% of American households have debt, and the average individual has around $58,600 in debt. In the workplace, 9 out of 10 employees are worried about finances, with 75% stating financial concerns negatively affect their productivity. Fortunately, employers can alleviate some of this strain by boosting their financial wellness …
With the heightened focus on family, finances, and work, the holidays can be a stressful time. To prevent stress from becoming overwhelming, prioritize mental health and well-being. Such practices can include: Establishing boundaries. The holidays can spread your time, patience, and money thin. By creating boundaries and working to maintain …
This week is National Handwashing Awareness Week (December 5-11) and National Influenza Vaccination Week (December 5-9). Both handwashing and vaccinations play key roles when protecting against preventable illnesses. National Handwashing Awareness Week Washing hands is a staple of good hygiene and doing so can prevent germs from entering the body. …
Group health plans and health insurance issuers will be required to make an internet-based price comparison tool available to participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. The tool will be used to provide consumers with estimates of their cost-sharing liability from different providers …
