The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans anticipates a 10% increase in healthcare costs in 2026. Cost predictions have been stated as follows: Mercer predicts that the total health benefit cost per employee will rise 6.5% on average in 2026, marking the highest increase since 2010, even after planned cost-reduction …
Combating Childhood Chronic Disease Strategy Released by White House Commission The White House’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission has released its report along with a four-part Make Our Children Health Again Strategy, outlining over 120 initiatives to address the ongoing childhood chronic disease epidemic in the United States. MAHA …
Employers are bracing for 2026 health insurance cost increases projected to be the largest in 15 years. The surge in health benefit expenses could place financial pressure on organizations that aren’t actively planning cost-reduction strategies. Projections A new Mercer report projects that the total health benefit cost per employee will …
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are powerful tax-advantaged tools designed to help individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) save for medical expenses. As 2026 approaches, staying compliant with new HSA regulations and IRS rules is more important than ever. Tax Benefits of an HSA: Tax-deductible or pre-tax contributions (via payroll deductions). …
Effective January 1st, 2026, the state of Illinois will implement a new law, the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act (NICU Leave Act), aimed at supporting working parents with babies admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This legislation requires certain employers to provide unpaid leave for employees during …
Many members of Generation Z (Gen Z) express needing help during open enrollment, as they have less experience in selecting benefits than other generations who have been in the workforce longer. Gen Z, individuals born between 1997 and 2012, make up nearly all of the current and next wave of …
As healthcare costs rise, health plans across the U.S. are increasingly turning to biosimilars—a cost-effective alternative to brand-name biologic drugs—to maintain access to high-quality, affordable care. What Are Biosimilars? While biosimilars are similar to their reference biological products (also known as the brand-name counterpart or biologics), they are not identical. …
High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are becoming an increasingly popular health insurance offering among employees. Despite the higher deductibles, HDHPs can be a cost-effective and tax-advantaged choice for those who: Don’t anticipate frequent medical expenses Want to take advantage of the tax-advantaged savings opportunities. Understanding HDHPs is essential when making educated …
A recent Gallagher survey found that one-third of surveyed employers plan to expand voluntary benefit offerings by 2027. Highlighting the growing importance of these offerings within competitive employee benefits packages. Notably, two-thirds of surveyed employers reported they currently offer voluntary benefits to ensure their benefits packages are comprehensive. What are …
On July 18th, 2025, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2025-25, announcing the updated affordability percentage used to determine whether an employer-sponsored health plan is considered affordable under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Beginning in 2026, employer-sponsored plans will be deemed affordable under the ACA’s pay-or-play rules if an employee’s required …
On July 4th, a significant tax and spending bill was signed into law, called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” or OBBB Act. This bill has considerable implications for employee benefits, including Health Savings Accounts (HSA), High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) telehealth, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Educational Assistance …
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires insurers to provide free preventive care services (Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc.). Preventive Care Mandate The ACA preventive care mandate requires recommended preventive care services to be covered by non-grandfathered health plans and issuers …
Healthcare costs are expected to increase significantly, with industry surveys estimating a 7%-8% cost increase in 2025. In consequence, this will increase the price of employer-sponsored healthcare plans, financially impacting both employers and employees. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that treatment for chronic conditions accounts …
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow employees to pay for qualified out-of-pocket expenses using pre-tax dollars. They assist in reducing overall taxable income, making them a tax advantage and a great resource for individuals managing health care or dependent care costs. FSAs are typically offered by employers within the employees’ benefits …
Colorado has amended its Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Act to grant additional paid family and medical leave for parents whose child is in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The bill, including the amendment—Senate Bill 25-144—also lowered the 2026 FAMLI contribution rate. NICU Leave The current FAMLI …
