Word on Benefits

Grief Awareness: How Loss Shows Up and How to Support Others

Ashton DeMoss, CWP

27 Aug 202627 Aug 2026

Grief is a natural response to many kinds of loss and may affect a person’s emotional, physical, and professional well-being.

Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance U.S.

New Maternity Billing Codes: What Self-Funded Plans Should Watch

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

25 Aug 202625 Aug 2026

For employer-sponsored group health plans, the impending change from global bundle to CPT-code billing for maternity care could bring better visibility while raising new questions about costs, administration and the participant experience.

Canada Disability Benefits Employee Benefits Flexible Work Options Health Care Mental Health

Dressing for the Weather: Preparing for the Changing Disability Landscape

Megan Berube

20 Aug 202620 Aug 2026

Much like the weather, the benefits industry is constantly changing; one area where plan sponsors can find room for adaptation is disability claims.

Canada Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Financial Education Flexible Work Options Human Resources (HR) Mental Health U.S. Work Life Balance

The Employer Opportunity During Back-to-School Season

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

18 Aug 202618 Aug 2026

Back-to-school season can strain working parents’ schedules, budgets and well-being, affecting their productivity at work; today’s blog shares opportunities for employers to offer support during this busy time.

Disease Management Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Prescription Drugs U.S.

Employers Project Another 10% Rise in Health Care Costs for 2027

Cara McMullin

13 Aug 202613 Aug 2026

U.S. employers project a median health care cost increase of 10% for 2027, according to Health Care Costs Pulse Survey: 2027 Cost Trend, a new survey from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Compliance Employee Benefits Prescription Drugs Regulatory U.S.

PBM Settlement Orders Part 2: What Plan Sponsors Should Watch Next

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

11 Aug 202611 Aug 2026

Recent FTC orders require Caremark Rx and Express Scripts to stop favoring high-list-price versions of drugs over their standard formularies; today’s blog looks at the settlement terms most relevant to plan sponsors and members.

A team of multiethnic developers is meeting to review the data analysis of marketing from social media platforms.

AI Canada Employee Benefits

Canada’s New National AI Strategy

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

06 Aug 202606 Aug 2026

Today’s blog highlights key points from Canada’s new National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy; a broad, five-year plan to speed up AI adoption in the workplace.

Employee Benefits Prescription Drugs U.S.

PBMs and FTC Insulin Settlement Orders (Part 1): Drug Pricing Explainer

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

04 Aug 202604 Aug 2026

Today’s blog explains key drug-pricing terms and the order provisions on nondiscrimination of low-wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) versions of drugs.

Communication Employee Benefits U.S. Wellness

Bridging Benefit Gaps for Rural Workers

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

30 Jul 202630 Jul 2026

About 60 million people, or about 20% of the U.S. population, live in a rural area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Even though they represent a significant share of the population, research suggests that people who live in rural areas often […]

Canada U.S. Wellness

Helping Employees Stay Sun-Safe All Year Long

Ashton DeMoss, CWP

29 Jul 202629 Jul 2026

UV Awareness Month, recognized in July, is a timely reminder for employers to reinforce sun-safety practices as part of a broader employee wellness strategy.