Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

Where We Are Now: Special Financial Assistance Under the American Rescue Plan Act

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

28 Mar 202328 Mar 2023

From capital market return expectations to the rules that cover the program, a lot has changed in the two years since the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law and created the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) program for struggling multiemployer pension […]

Compliance Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Legislative Prescription Drugs U.S.

Health Plans and Marijuana: What to Know Now

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

01 Dec 202227 Jan 2023

President Joe Biden is expected to sign a medical marijuana research bill that could eventually have an impact on health plan coverage of medical marijuana. On November 16, the U.S. Senate passed Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Act, which was passed by […]

Canada Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) U.S. Vacation

Inclusive Paid Holidays

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

17 Nov 202217 Nov 2022

As the workplace becomes more diverse, employers may want to consider whether their schedule of paid holidays accommodates the needs of all of their workers.

Disease Management Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance U.S.

Four Steps for Evaluating Your Plan’s Diabetes Coverage

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

10 Nov 202210 Nov 2022

November is National Diabetes Month. Since diabetes affects one in eight adults in the United States and is a major driver of health plan costs, it may be a good time to review whether your health plan is designed to provide the […]

Benefits Magazine Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance

Medical Claims Reviews—What Your Plan May Be Missing

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

07 Oct 202207 Oct 2022

With thousands and thousands of codes that can be assigned to everything from the diagnosis of a patient’s condition to the facility where they receive care, there is plenty of room for error in medical billing. And it may never get caught—partly […]

Compliance Cybersecurity DOL Employee Benefits

Five Critical Components of a Cybersecurity Compliance Review

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

15 Sep 202215 Sep 2022

Cybersecurity should be top of mind for retirement plan fiduciaries, not only because the risks of a data breach or fraud are on the rise but also because the Department of Labor (DOL) has begun auditing retirement plans with a focus on […]

DOL Employee Benefits Retirement U.S.

Is Your Plan Ready for a DOL Investigation? Nine Key Areas to Review

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

29 Aug 202229 Aug 2022

When it comes to Department of Labor (DOL) retirement plan investigations, the best defense for plan fiduciaries is often a good offense—conducting a compliance self-review before DOL officials come knocking. That’s the contention made by attorneys Elizabeth S. Goldberg and William J. […]

Compliance Disease Management Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) Prescription Drugs U.S.

Four Steps for Evaluating Your Plan’s Diabetes Coverage

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

09 Aug 202209 Aug 2022

Despite major advancements in technology and medication over the last four decades, people with diabetes still face barriers to getting the best care, a panel of experts said during an International Foundation webcast. Better health plan design can help remove those barriers […]

Communication Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Human Resources (HR) U.S. Voluntary Benefits

Fertility Benefits on the Rise

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

25 Jul 202225 Jul 2022

A growing percentage of employers are adding fertility benefits to their employee benefits packages as they look for ways to boost recruitment and retention as well as to fulfill other goals such as supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). International Foundation research […]

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Communication Compliance Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Legislative U.S.

PBGC Releases Special Financial Assistance Final Rule

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

08 Jul 202210 Nov 2022

Changes to the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) Program announced Wednesday by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) will improve the ability of underfunded multiemployer defined benefit (DB) pension plans to pay benefits to their participants, PBGC and Department of Labor officials say. […]