HIPAA Archives - Word on Benefits

What to Know Before Implementing Spousal Surcharges and Carve-Outs

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

04 Jun 202604 Jun 2026

Today’s blog outlines strategies, legal concerns and best practices for employers implementing spousal surcharges and carve-outs to control costs.

Communication Compliance Health Care HIPAA Insurance Regulatory U.S.

Model HIPAA Privacy Notice Updated for Substance Use Disorder Patient Record Confidentiality

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

19 Feb 202619 Feb 2026

Today’s blog covers the updated model HIPAA Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices template for self-funded group plans.

Benefits Magazine Employee Benefits Health Care HIPAA Insurance Mental Health U.S.

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

Guest Contributor

12 Jun 202512 Jun 2025

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 […]

Cybersecurity Employee Benefits Fraud Health Care HIPAA Human Resources (HR)

What’s Going On With Health Information and Cybersecurity

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

14 Feb 202421 Feb 2024

Health plan sponsors should take note: Regulators are increasing their focus on the privacy and security of health information. And failure to comply with the latest guidance on these areas could prove costly. In their article “Risks Abound: What’s Going on With […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits HIPAA Insurance Legislative Regulatory

The End of the COVID-19 Emergencies Arrives Early

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

12 Apr 202318 Apr 2023

This blog has been updated with new information from the previous version published on April 12, 2023. President Biden signed H.R. Res. 7 on Monday, April 10, 2023, to end the national emergency (NE) for COVID-19, effective immediately. Although the NE ended […]

Compliance Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Health Care HIPAA Insurance Regulatory U.S.

It’s Coming—The End of the COVID-19 Emergencies

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

21 Mar 202321 Mar 2023

After nearly three years, the time has finally come. The Biden administration announced that both the COVID-19 national emergency (NE) and the public health emergency (PHE) will end on May 11, 2023. Now it’s time for employers to prepare to unwind the […]

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

Abortion Medication: State and Federal Regulations Plan Sponsors Need to Know

Staff

27 Jan 202310 Mar 2023

Recent actions by the federal government are designed to ensure full access to abortion medication across the country, but it remains unclear whether these medications can be prescribed to and legally obtained by patients in states that have banned or limited abortions. […]

Compliance Dependent Care Employee Benefits Health Care HIPAA Human Resources (HR) Insurance U.S.

Dependent Eligibility Audits – What Are They and Why Should You Consider Conducting One?

Julie Stich, CEBS

13 Dec 202213 Dec 2022

Anyone who works with health care benefit plans knows that costs keep going up. They also know they have a responsibility to make sure the plan is sustainable. Add into that the ERISA responsibility to make sure the plan’s terms are followed. […]

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

HIPAA Turns 26: Time to Review New Guidance!

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

17 Aug 202217 Aug 2022

Maybe the 26th anniversary (coming up on August 21, 2022) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) isn’t as noteworthy a milestone year as last year’s 25th, but the act remains in the headlines in 2022. HIPAA, the cornerstone patient […]

Communication Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care HIPAA Insurance U.S.

HIPAA Guidance on Postpandemic Audio-Only Telehealth

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

19 Jul 202219 Jul 2022

On June 13, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued guidance on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements as they relate to audio-only telehealth. Telehealth technology is typically thought of as […]