Managing an employee’s leave of absence involves more than approving time away from work. Employers must also navigate important compliance requirements surrounding health plan coverage, premium collection, and employee communication throughout the leave process. Understanding these responsibilities can help reduce compliance risks while creating a better experience for your employees. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Washington recently amended the Healthy Starts Act (Act), which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and related conditions. This change will cover a broader range of employers, enhancing employee protections. Background Currently, Washington requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodation for pregnancy-related health conditions, …
Maryland’s new paid family and medical leave insurance program, known as FAMLI, is pushing its implementation dates until January 2027. The program offers up to 12 weeks of partially compensated, job-protected family and medical leave. It also grants an additional 12 weeks of annual leave for either their own serious …
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), through its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), has issued an updated version of the Model Employer CHIP Notice, with information current as of March 17, 2025. The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) requires employers maintaining group health plans to provide …
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) introduces several changes to Medicare Part D that aim to lower prescription drug costs for beneficiaries. However, these changes could have financial implications for employer-sponsored health plans. Key Medicare Part D Changes $35 Monthly Cap on Insulin – Covered insulin prescriptions are now …
As the ACA reporting landscape continues to evolve, 2025 brings significant changes that employers must address to remain compliant. One of the most notable updates is the reduction of the electronic filing threshold from 250 to 10 returns, creating new responsibilities for many reporting entities. Coupled with these updates are …
As we enter 2025, several new and continuing compliance requirements are shaping the landscape of health plans. These changes impact both employers managing health benefits and employees relying on them for healthcare. Here’s a breakdown of the top issues to be aware of this year. Simplified ACA Reporting Requirements Starting …
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced an adjustment to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee for plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2024, and before Oct. 1, 2025. This update impacts health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors, making it crucial for employers to stay informed …
