History Nancy Wisner joined Creative Benefits, Inc. through a personal connection with the organization’s founder, Ruth Graham. Ruth recognized Nancy’s strengths and abilities and offered her a job opportunity at Creative Benefits. That opportunity became the foundation for a remarkable career. Today, with 37 years of dedicated service and counting, …
As the year winds down, employers must continue prioritizing employee benefits compliance and end-of-year benefits planning. The final months of the year are critical to confirm that all 2025 employee benefits requirements have been completed before year-end. There are numerous employer compliance requirements throughout the year, and taking time to review them …
Employers with insured group health plans may have received a Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rebate from their health insurers earlier this year. As compliance deadlines approach, employers need to understand how these rebates must be handled under ACA and ERISA rules. Why do Employers receive the MLR rebate? Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurers are required to spend a minimum percentage of their …
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 …
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 …
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 …
As of January 1, 2025, significant changes have impacted telehealth coverage under High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). These changes affect not only employers who offer HDHPs but also the employees who rely on them for their healthcare needs. Understanding these updates is critical to ensuring compliance and accessing valuable health …
New York published a comprehensive set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to clarify its new paid prenatal leave law, which takes effect on January 1, 2025. The 28 FAQs provide detailed guidance on the new mandate, ensuring both employers and employees understand the requirements. Overview of Paid Prenatal Leave The …
Under HIPAA privacy protections, covered entities and their business associates must comply with stricter reproductive health care protections, beginning December 23, 2024. These new protections prohibit the usage and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) related to lawful reproductive health care, including for a criminal, civil, or administrative investigation into …
It is important that employers stay compliant regarding several deadlines approaching during the month of July. Here is an overview of the upcoming dates and necessary actions to ensure timely and accurate reporting for employers. Form 5500 Filing Deadline: July 31, 2024 Employers with ERISA-covered employee benefit plans who …
Through the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Department of Labor (DOL) enforces the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1774 (ERISA). ERISA provides a set of minimum standards for employee benefit plans that are maintained by private-sector employers. It is important for employers who offer benefit plans to understand …
Continuing into 2024, the federal government is focusing efforts on improving access to mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care. A high priority is enforcing compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) for employer-sponsored health plans. MHPAEA is a federal law that prevents group health …
A bulletin was recently released by the IRS, reminding taxpayers that tax-advantaged medical savings accounts (i.e., health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) are not to be used for general health and wellness expenses. Similarly, health savings accounts (HSAs) cannot be used to pay for health and …
