Word on Benefits

Tis the Season to Be Healthy

Tim Hennessy

21 Dec 202227 Jan 2023

The holidays are full of family, friends, food and great memories. But they aren’t always compatible with a healthy lifestyle. When the holiday season rolls around, temptations are everywhere and parties and travel disrupt daily routines. It’s easy to get a little lax […]

Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Flexible Work Options U.S.

New Survey Results Are In—Organizations Committing to Hybrid Work

Anne Patterson

15 Dec 202215 Dec 2022

As the dust of the pandemic settles, over half of employers will maintain remote work options as 2023 approaches, according to a new report from the International Foundation. The Employee Benefits Survey results show the popularity of flexible work arrangements and decline […]

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. […]

Diversity and Inclusion Education Employee Benefits U.S.

Embracing STEM in Indigenous Communities

Tim Hennessy

08 Dec 202208 Dec 2022

Using a culturally responsive curriculum in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs leads to better engagement and performance among Indigenous students, a recent report from the Conference Board of Canada and the Future Skills Centre shows. The Learning Together: STEM Outreach […]

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

RxDC Reporting Will Bring Changes . . . Here’s What to Know Now

Jonas Leyrer, CEBS

07 Dec 202207 Dec 2022

Late last year, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), which contained a provision requiring health care plans to submit Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) reports to CMS. RxDC was made retroactive for 2020 but its implementation was delayed for a […]

Employee Benefits Flexible Work Options Mental Health Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) U.S. Vacation Wellness Work Life Balance

Four-Day Workweek: Pros, Cons and Implementation

Cara McMullin

06 Dec 202227 Jan 2023

As employers do more to support employees’ mental health and work/life balance, the four-day workweek has become a front-runner among evolving workplace considerations. In this competitive labor market, the marked benefits of the four-day schedule promote a culture of employee well-being. The […]

Education Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Human Resources (HR) U.S.

Are Employers Revisiting Student Loan Repayment Strategies Now?

Anne Patterson

02 Dec 202202 Dec 2022

On December 1, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear arguments about President Biden’s student loan relief program in February 2023 and blocked rollout of the program until then. Continuing to offer or adding student loan repayment programs would […]

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 […]

Compliance Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Legislative SECURE 2.0 U.S.

What Plan Sponsors Need to Know About SECURE 2.0 in the Senate

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

30 Nov 202210 Feb 2023

The end-of-year push to pass the bill package known as SECURE 2.0 is underway. SECURE 2.0 is comprised of three separate bills, one in the House of Representatives (House) and two in the Senate, aimed at increasing retirement savings and expanding coverage […]

Canada Communication Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Mental Health U.S. Wellness

Why Don’t Men Use EAPs?

Tim Hennessy

22 Nov 202222 Nov 2022

Recommendations on improving EAP use by men