health coverage Archives - Word on Benefits

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 […]

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 […]

Education Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Insurance U.S.

Five Considerations When Purchasing Stop-Loss Insurance

rosep

05 Jan 202204 Mar 2022

Choosing to self-fund a group health plan has major financial implications for a plan sponsor because it is ultimately responsible for paying all legitimate medical claims that arise. As a result, many self-funded plan sponsors purchase stop-loss insurance (also called excess-loss insurance […]

Employee Benefits

2021 Benefits Year in Review

Anne Patterson

21 Dec 202121 Dec 2021

Here in the benefits world, there doesn’t seem to be a slow year. A lot happened in 2021 so my fellow podsquad members and I took a look at the top benefits stories of the past year (which has become our year-end […]

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care Multiemployer Regulatory U.S.

How Do Multiemployer Plans Claim COBRA Premium Assistance Credit?

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

09 Jun 202108 Jun 2021

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2021-31 which provides guidance for multiemployer plans and plan administrators regarding the new credit available to them for providing continuation health coverage to certain individuals under COBRA. We summarized the COBRA changes under American […]

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) U.S.

DOL Releases Model Notices for COBRA Subsidy Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

27 Apr 202128 Apr 2021

Thirty-five years ago this month, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) was signed into law. COBRA provides a way for workers and their families to temporarily maintain their employer-provided health insurance during situations such as job loss or a […]

Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Health Care Human Resources (HR) Mental Health Prescription Drugs U.S. Wellness

Health Care Benefits: 20 Benchmarking Considerations for Your Plan

Justin Held, CEBS

31 Mar 202130 Mar 2021

Health care benefits remain a critical part of the relationship between employers and workers, especially during these times of rapid change and uncertainty. In addition to serving as an important financial safety net, these benefits act as a recruitment and retention tool. […]

Canada Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care Wellness

Should Your Benefits Plan Cover Vaccines?

Alyssa Hodder, GBA

09 Mar 202108 Mar 2021

Vaccines can provide important protection for your most vulnerable plan members, but should they be part of your benefits plan? And how can you offset the cost? Anar Dossa, Director of Pharmacy Services with Pacific Blue Cross, presented on this topic at […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Defined Benefit (DB) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Dependent Care Employee Benefits Health Care Multiemployer Paid Leave U.S.

Employee Benefits and COVID-19: Changing the Future of Benefits Today

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

17 Feb 202116 Feb 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to bring long-lasting changes to life in the United States, and those changes will be reflected in employee benefits. How COVID-19 could affect health, retirement and other benefits even after the pandemic is over is discussed in […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employee Benefits Health Care Regulatory

Wait… I thought ACA reporting didn’t start until next year!

Lois Gleason, CEBS

03 Mar 2015

Are your employees asking you for documentation of their employer-sponsored health coverage in 2014? Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employers may voluntarily, but are not required to, provide this information for 2014. For the 2014 tax year, the IRS does not […]