Word on Benefits

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 Compliance Education Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) Legislative Regulatory U.S.

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

Julie Stich, CEBS

12 Aug 202212 Aug 2022

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 […]

Communication Education Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits U.S. Wellness Work Life Balance

Three Back-to-School Opportunities for Employers

Cara McMullin

11 Aug 202211 Aug 2022

Ahhhh, the smell of fresh folders, pencils sharpened to perfection and the crack of that first marker opening . . . Oh, is it just me that gets excited about new school supplies?! August means back-to-school preparations for many—and getting into the […]

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 […]

Canada Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Pensions

Protecting Pensions and ESG Risks

Tim Hennessy

04 Aug 202204 Aug 2022

As the global impact of climate change grows, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have become a core consideration for pension funds. ESG issues and concerns can no longer be relegated to debates among pension fiduciaries about values investing or investment returns […]

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Workers Are Stressed Out About Money: 5 Tools to Help

Cara McMullin

02 Aug 202217 Feb 2023

The uncertain financial world of today is increasing the concerns of an already stressed workforce. A new International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plan study, Workplace Wellness and Financial Education Programs: 2022 Survey Results, indicated that the personal factor most impacted by financial […]

Communication Compliance Education Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) Insurance Legislative Regulatory U.S.

Unraveling Post-Dobbs Implications

Staff

28 Jul 202228 Jul 2022

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 […]

Canada Communication Employee Benefits Flexible Work Options Human Resources (HR) Paid Time Off (PTO) U.S. Vacation Wellness Work Life Balance

Unlimited PTO—Surprise! It’s Not Unlimited.

Bella Tomaw

26 Jul 202226 Jul 2022

Unlimited paid time off (PTO): the benefits trend that has rapidly grown, especially in the wake of a global pandemic. How exactly are employers able to offer a limitless vacation plan to their employees? A recent webcast, “Unlimited Paid Time Off: Will […]

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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 […]

Communication Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Health Care Mental Health U.S. Wellness Work Life Balance

A New Demand for Workplace Wellness Programs As Employees Struggle

Anne Patterson

21 Jul 202221 Jul 2022

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 […]