In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on Friday, June 24. This ruling revokes the constitutional right to an abortion, which was originally passed in 1973. Five of the six conservative justices voted to overturn Roe while the three liberal judges along with Chief Justice John …
Commuter Benefits
With gas prices on the rise, commuter benefits are becoming increasingly popular. Through employers, commuter benefits allow employees to use tax-free dollars on commuting expenses, saving employees money on annual taxes. Qualified expenses may include: Parking costs – parking on or near the business premises. It could also include parking …
Telemental Health
As COVID-19 locked down the country, telehealth rapidly gained popularity, especially for behavioral and mental health services. Unlike most doctor visits, mental health visits typically do not require face-to-face meetings. Visits can be conducted via video or even audio calls, though many physicians prefer video calls in order to read …
Juneteenth
History The celebration of Juneteenth can be traced back to the late 1800s. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in the United States, but it wasn’t until over two years later that the news reached enslaved African Americans in Texas. Union …
Providing Inclusive Benefits
Pride Month is celebrated each June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, the tipping point for the United States’ Gay Liberation Movement. The purpose of this initiative is to acknowledge the impact the LGBTQ+ community has had on history. Individuals and organizations celebrate differently, but it is common …
What is Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance?
A medical condition that reduces an employee’s ability to perform their work duties, usually due to an illness or injury, is considered a disability. Statistically, one in three employees will miss more than one month of pay as a result of an injury or illness. Without disability coverage, employees stand …
FMLA and Mental Health Conditions
New resources on workers’ rights to leave for mental health conditions under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) were released by the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Mental health conditions are now considered serious health conditions under FMLA if they require inpatient or …
2023 Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2023. The rule details the benefit and payment parameters for the 2023 benefit year under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The 2023 maximum annual limit on cost-sharing is $9,100 for self-only coverage, …
Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month at Creative Benefits, Inc.
May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and Creative Benefits acknowledged this by distributing helpful information on mental health to improve mood, self-esteem, morale, and relationships. Each of the five weeks in May contained themed activities to highlight mental wellness. Week 1 During the first week, a survey and drop-box were …
Spending FSA Money on Summer Fun
For most, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. This weekend numerous families will flock to the beach, go camping, or grill in the backyard. Outdoor activities will become much more common and popular as the weather warms. If you are planning to spend time outdoors, you need to …
Updated CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
The COVID-19 vaccine toolkit, issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has been updated and now includes a list of vaccines and boosters that are required to be covered without cost-sharing. This chronological list contains COVID-19 vaccines and boosters approved and authorized by the Food and Drug Administration …
Highlighting Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and the goal is to reduce stigmas surrounding those living with mental health conditions. Approximately 44 million Americans a year battle mental illness, and most families are underprepared for a loved one’s diagnosis. A condition that affects a person’s mood, behavior, or thinking …
2023 HSA and HDHP Limit Increases
The 2023 inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) were announced by the IRS. Each year the law requires the IRS to announce the limits by June 1st. These limits include the maximum HSA contribution limit, the minimum deductible amount for HDHPs, and the …
The United States is “Out of the Pandemic Stage”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious-disease expert, stated the United States is “out of the pandemic phase.” The statement does not mean the COVID-19 pandemic is over, rather the level of hospitalizations and deaths has declined to a manageable point within the country. Fauci advises caution as the virus …
Medical Bills: Catching Errors
A public opinion survey found that approximately 72% of patients are confused by their medical bills, and 94% have received bills they believed were “too expensive.” Medical bills are notoriously hard to read and understand, which often leads to overpayment. Hospitals and clinics typically lump charges together and do not …