Mental and physical health are often thought of as separate entities, but in many ways, they are connected. To achieve a higher level of well-being, it is important to understand the effect each has on the other. Connections Having positive mental health can result in a reduced risk of strokes …
5 Signs Employees Do Not Understand Their Benefits
When employees do not fully understand their employer-offered health benefits, it can be costly for both you, the employer, and the employee. A 2021 Voya survey found that around 35% of United States workers did not completely understand the benefits they selected in their 2021 open enrollment. To determine whether …
Employees want more caregiving support
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers found that one in five employees, most of whom work full-time, is also an unpaid caregiver. Caring for a loved one can greatly impact an employee’s health and wellness, regardless of condition or age. Arizent research found that caregiving employees lacking overall support experienced …
Back Pain is the Leading Cause of Disability
The Lancet Rheumatology medical journal published a new study confirming that low back pain continues to be the leading global cause of disability. Approximately, 619 million people reported low back pain in 2020, and that number is expected to rise to 843 million by 2050, costing the United States an …
Mental Health Awareness Month and the AAPI Community
Recently, mental health conditions have increased across America, specifically within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) young adult community. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, discrimination and hate crimes have risen and been reported against AAPI individuals, exacerbating mental health conditions further. Additionally, research has found that the AAPI student community …
HSA & HDHP Limits Increased for 2024
On May 16, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provided the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for the 2024 plan year. The IRS annually adjusts the following amounts and contribution limits to accommodate increases in spending: The maximum HSA contribution limit; The …
Five ways employees can start planning for retirement
As the cost of living continues to rise, many employees worry about how much is needed to be financially secure during retirement. Many factors affect how much a person needs to save, including lifestyle and location. Experts claim that the average American couple needs around $315,000 for healthcare expenses alone …
Healthy Vision Month
Healthy Vision Month takes place in May, and it is a time to spread awareness and educate individuals on the importance of eye health. Approximately 39 million people in the world are blind, and around 6x that amount are visually impaired. Therefore, vision health should be a priority for most …
Mental Health Awareness Month 2023
The 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, More Than Enough, encourages individuals to celebrate their self-worth. Diagnoses, appearances, statuses, and abilities should never diminish a person’s value. This May, we invite you to prioritize yourself and focus on creating a supportive environment for your mental health. Creating a supportive environment …
Options After Losing Medicaid Coverage
The COVID-19 pandemic created a public health emergency (PHE) in 2020, leading Congress to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Due to the FFCRA, state Medicaid agencies were not able to redetermine Medicaid beneficiaries’ eligibility, which ensured individuals maintained their health coverage during the pandemic. Medicaid Redeterminations As …
What are Biosimilars?
A biosimilar drug is a biological product that comes from living organisms (i.e., humans, animals, and microorganisms). Biosimilars are not identical to brand-name counterparts and are not made from synthesized chemicals, unlike generic drugs. It’s noteworthy that biologics and biosimilars have the same strength, dosage, potential side effects, and same …
401(k) and Automatic Enrollment
A new study through Vanguard, an investment firm, found that Americans of all ages increased their participation in workplace retirement plans over the past twenty years. Notably, in 2021, 62% of Gen Z workers were actively saving by utilizing a 401(k), in comparison to 30% in 2006. While Gen Z, …
Building Psychological Resilience
Resilience is the process and outcome of adapting to challenging life experiences through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). For most individuals, resilience is a learned outcome, and its success depends upon personal behaviors and external factors, such as a support system. Top Factors …
Braidwood Decision Affects ACA Preventive Care
April 19, 2023 – The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (Departments) recently issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive care coverage requirement. These FAQs result from a recent court decision in Texas (Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra) as the decision …
COVID-19 National Emergency Ended
President Biden signed a resolution on April 10, 2023, effectively ending the COVID-19 national emergency. The national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) were previously scheduled to end on May 11, 2023, but the bipartisan legislation ended the former earlier than expected, on April 10. Effects of terminating COVID-19 national …