Health Care

Inflation Reduction Act: 6 Health Care Provisions Plan Sponsors Should Know About

Julie Stich, CEBS
 

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider a bill today that will likely reduce the cost of drugs for some Medicare recipients through a new cap on out-of-pocket costs and a provision that would allow the U.S. Department of Health […]

Four Steps for Evaluating Your Plan’s Diabetes Coverage

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS
 

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 […]

Unraveling Post-Dobbs Implications

The legal environment relating to abortion coverage has become quite complex following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Health plan sponsors should review their coverage of abortion services to ensure that their health plans reflect the […]

A New Demand for Workplace Wellness Programs As Employees Struggle

Anne Patterson
 

Workers faced new or heightened challenges to their physical, mental and financial well-being over the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of those challenges are still lingering. Workplace wellness benefits were forced to evolve from time-tested offerings like physical fitness, nutrition and health screening […]

Post-Dobbs Employer Actions: New Survey Results

Over one in four employers is exploring the expansion of covered abortion services, according to a new report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The Post-Dobbs Employer Coverage: July 2022 Pulse Survey revealed current abortion coverage offerings and future considerations. […]

The Perfect Storm Facing Canada’s Rapidly Aging Population: An Interview with Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, Ph.D.

Tim Hennessy
 

In an interview in the March/April issue of Plans & Trusts, actuary Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, Ph.D., FCIA, FSA, called for new policies and practices to address the multiple challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s long-term care model. MacDonald, the director of financial security research […]

Meeting the Benefit Needs of Your LGBTQ+ Plan Members

Cara McMullin
 

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Canada and the U.S., a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people and their history, culture and contributions. To honor this month, we are revisiting a helpful article about how plan sponsors can be […]

Benefits Madness: The Championship

Anne Patterson
 

Benefits Madness was not all fun and games—It gave us a chance to see what innovative employee benefits the fans are really rooting for! Benefit offerings like healthy snacks and subsidized mobile devices were quickly eliminated in favor of more flexible offerings […]