Mental Health Parity: What Plan Sponsors Need to Know During Period of Nonenforcement of 2024 Final Rule

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS
 

Following the announcement last month that the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury will put a hold on enforcing the 2024 final rule on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), health plan sponsors […]

The New Look of Virtual Care: What’s Right for Employers and Plan Sponsors?

Guest Contributor
 

Benefits Magazine Extras articles provide you with bonus content on a mix of benefits topics as well as deep dives and analyses on the latest benefit trends and compliance issues. Visit ifebp.org/benefitsmagazine to see the latest Benefits Magazine Extras as well as the bimonthly print […]

Ontario’s New Long-Term Illness Leave Takes Effect Soon: What Employers Need to Know

Amanda Wilke, CEBS
 

On December 19, 2024, Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229) received Royal Assent. Amongst the changes in the bill amending the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), was the introduction of unpaid long-term illness leave, effective June 19, 2025. While the law […]

What Benefits Are Working? Attracting and Retaining Employees

Tyler Lloyd
 

In today’s work environment, organizations are looking for ways to improve employee retention and recruitment. Employee benefit offerings are an impactful tool, and organizations need to understand what employees value. Respondents to the International Foundation’s Employee Benefits Survey: 2024 Survey Report were […]

Workplace Accommodations: Compliance Issues and Tips 

Anne Newhouse, CEBS
 

Injuries and sicknesses resulting in disability and, potentially, time away from work happen to employees all the time requiring employers to develop a disability management process. This process is a series of coordinated stages to prevent, manage, and reduce workplace disabilities, alleviate […]

Open pharmacy pill containers on a pile of 20 dollar bills.

What the Executive Order Increasing PBM Fee Transparency Means for Employers

Amanda Wilke, CEBS
 

On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed the executive order (EO) “Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First,” which includes specific actions to be taken by federal agencies to reduce prescription drug costs, improve transparency and increase competition in the […]

GLP-1 Drug Coverage Continues to Rise in Canada 

Rebecca Plier
 

New Survey Data Reveals Prior Authorization or Other Utilization Management Strategies, Eligibility Requirements, Annual Maximum as Leading Cost Control Methods  A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals updated Canadian employer coverage and cost-control mechanisms surrounding glucagon-like […]

GLP-1 Drugs Responsible for Over Ten Percent of Annual Claims 

Rebecca Plier
 

New Survey Data Reveals Rise of GLP-1 Drug Claims, With Utilization Management and Eligibility Requirements as Leading Cost-Control Mechanisms   A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals updated U.S. employer coverage and claims representation surrounding glucagon-like peptide-1 […]