Word on Benefits

Congress Could Expand Health Savings Accounts

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

29 Apr 202529 Apr 2025

Over a dozen bills that would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand health savings accounts (HSAs) have been introduced in Congress this year, according to the International Foundation’s U.S. Legislative Tracker (members only). If enacted, the bills aim to […]

Employee Benefits Health Care Retirement U.S.

Long-Term Care and Caregiving: Four Challenges for Employees and Employers

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

24 Apr 202524 Apr 2025

Most employees will have caregiving responsibilities at some point in their lives and/or a need to pay for long-term care (LTC) for themselves or a loved one. Employers are increasingly realizing the challenges created by caregiving and LTC for both their employees […]

Canada U.S. Wellness

Celebrating Earth Day: Highlighting Social Wellness and Sustainability in the Workplace

Ashton DeMoss

22 Apr 202522 Apr 2025

This blog was originally published by the Wellness Alliance. With Earth Day on April 22, this month gives us an opportunity to highlight social wellness and its connection to our impact on the environment. According to the Six Dimensions of Wellness, social […]

Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Human Resources (HR) Legislative Regulatory U.S.

DEI Programs: What Employers Need to Know About New Federal Guidance

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

17 Apr 202517 Apr 2025

In March, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released two technical assistance documents on the subject of discrimination related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at work. These documents are informal guidance that show how the agency may approach what it […]

Employee Benefits Legislative Regulatory U.S.

U.S. Legislative Process: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

16 Apr 202516 Apr 2025

Including the Budget Reconciliation Process In March 1976, Saturday morning television featured a new video segment called, “I’m Just a Bill,” using a fun cartoon aimed at children to visualize the complex path of the U.S. legislative process describing how a bill […]

Compliance Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Legislative Regulatory U.S.

2025 Status of Health Care Price Transparency

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

15 Apr 202515 Apr 2025

Americans know that health care costs are high but we don’t always know the specific cost of health care. Knowing about medical costs came to the forefront for many employees when they had an incentive to make health care decisions based on […]

Compliance DOL Employee Benefits Health Care Legislative Mental Health Regulatory U.S.

Mental Health Parity Pitfall to Avoid: Network Adequacy Data Part II

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

10 Apr 202510 Apr 2025

The Department of Labor (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)’s 2024 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) report to Congress, issued January 17, 2025, addressed the enforcement approach to nonquantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) for network adequacy and network composition. The […]

Canada Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Mental Health Webcast Wellness

Data-Driven Workplace Mental Health Initiatives

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

08 Apr 202508 Apr 2025

At the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), data about their employee population has driven the evolution of its mental health program over the last five years. Speaker Laura Carter, associate director of benefits at HOOPP, said that a multipronged approach has […]

Canada Employee Benefits Health Care U.S. Webcast Wellness

Menopause and the Hidden Link to Chronic Illness in the Workplace

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

03 Apr 202503 Apr 2025

A 2023 report from the Menopause Foundation of Canada found that “the fastest growing segment of working women in Canada are those aged 45 to 55 – the time when most women reach menopause.” Although the report addresses Canada specifically, this statistic […]

Canada Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (U.S.) Financial Wellness National Employee Benefits Day U.S. Wellness

Financial Stress Takes a Toll on Workers: How Employers Can Help

Cara McMullin

02 Apr 202502 Apr 2025

Financial Challenges Like Emergency Expenses and Basic Living Costs Impact Worker Performance April 2 is National Employee Benefits Day, celebrated annually to recognize those working in employee benefits and the important role they play in their colleagues’ well-being. The 2025 theme is […]