News Archive

"Attach to Form 1040 or Form 1040NR.... You cannot take the PTC if your filing status is married filing separately unless you qualify for an exception."  MORE >>

"In the two geographic markets we researched, a commercial MA plan was the cheapest plan option, but that may not be true where you live. Consider the following before suspending your FEHB coverage and enrolling: ... Prior authorization ... Provider access ... No family coverage ... Higher out-of-pocket costs ... Higher catastrophic limit ... The ability to return to FEHB during any future Open Season represents a significant advantage."  MORE >>

"How do you prepare for thousands of dollars in upfront costs? One option is a health savings account, or HSA, which lets you save pretax money and is now available to people enrolled in lower-tier state and federal exchange plans, including bronze and catastrophic coverage. These plans generally have the lowest premiums on the exchange but the highest out-of-pocket costs when you need care."  MORE >>

"Short-term disability (STD) provides income replacement when you cannot work. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job protection. These benefits serve different purposes, follow different eligibility rules, and fall under different laws. Understanding how they work together matters."  MORE >>

"Attach to Form 1040 or Form 1040NR.... You cannot take the PTC if your filing status is married filing separately unless you qualify for an exception."  MORE >>

22 pages. "What's new: [1] Telehealth and other remote care services.... [2] Health Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) contribution and carryover for 2025."  MORE >>

23 pages. "What's new: [1] Telehealth and other remote care services.... [2] Health Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) contribution and carryover for 2025."  MORE >>

"[These numbers] relate to compensation from work: paycheck withholding, the potential need for estimated taxes, and your retirement savings. [1] The Social Security wage base ... [2] Your income-tax bracket and withholding ... [3] Your contribution limit for qualified retirement plans ... While not all employees have them, health savings accounts (HSAs) are also getting an increase in their pre-tax contribution limits for 2026 in response to inflation."  MORE >>

"[Minnesota's] highly anticipated Paid Family Medical Leave fully launches on Jan. 1, with applications already live for those who welcomed a child in 2025.The program offers up to 12 weeks for both medical and family leave -- with a total limit of 20 weeks a year. Over 5,000 Minnesotans have already submitted applications for leave to bond with children welcomed in 2025 after applications opened in December, according to Gov. Tim Walz's office."  MORE >>

"Preventive care is one of the most valuable yet misunderstood benefits employees have access to. This guide breaks down what preventive care really includes, what's free under most health plans, and why early detection matters for both employee well-being and employer costs. HR leaders play a critical role in helping employees use these benefits confidently, reducing confusion, strengthening trust, and improving overall health outcomes."  MORE >>

"Use Form 7206 to determine any amount of the self-employed health insurance deduction you may be able to report on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 17. You may be able to deduct the amount you paid for health insurance, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance and qualified long-term care insurance for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents."  MORE >>

"Federal annuitants often don't have the same flexibility as federal employees when it comes to offsetting their health insurance costs, making it important to keep certain strategies in mind when weighing Open Season enrollment. Federal annuitants face two significant premium increases next year: [1] FEHB premiums will rise by an average of 12.3% for the enrollee share. [2] Medicare Part B premiums will increase by 9.67%."  MORE >>

"While most Americans get their insurance through work, many families rely on alternatives, and these options can offer relief when employer coverage becomes unaffordable."  MORE >>

"[1] HSAs are not use-it-or-lose it ... [2] HSAs can provide more tax breaks than 401(k)s ... [3] You can invest the HSA money in mutual funds ... [4] You can open an HSA even if it isn't offered by your employer ... [5] HSA money can be used for even more expenses after retirement ... [6] You can use the HSA money for family members' medical expenses ... [7] You have an unlimited amount of time after you pay for medical expenses to reimburse yourself."  MORE >>

"Most federal employees and retirees will pay much more for health coverage next year; the enrollee share of premium is going up 12.3% on average.... [This article will] go through premium changes in popular plans, discuss which ones saw their costs go up above and below the average, provide enrollment advice for two-person families, explain the government premium contribution, and cover what to expect from FEDVIP options."  MORE >>

"As open enrollment begins, employers should be strategic and consistent about communicating these changes to employees."  MORE >>

"Employer sponsored health insurance plans are about to see the biggest increases in cost in 15 years ... The cost spike has become a 'call to action,' prompting 59% of employers to implement cost-cutting measures for 2026, up from 48% last year. Here's why prices are expected to increase, how employers and employees are responding, and how to prepare for a pricier year."  MORE >>

"With family health insurance premiums ... now averaging more than $25,000 per year, and deductibles climbing nearly 50% in the last decade, many households are feeling the pinch.... Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are valuable tools that not only help manage day-to-day medical costs but can also play a strategic role in your broader financial plan."  MORE >>

"Courts often require disclosure of how much insurers pay doctors and consultants.... Personnel reviews can show whether adjusters or consultants are rewarded for denials.... Statistical patterns can reveal systemic bias.... Insurers rely heavily on outside vendors to supply medical reviewers. Courts scrutinize those ties.... Courts allow probing where insurers repeatedly seek favorable opinions.... Insurers sometimes argue they've walled off claims from financial pressures. Courts want proof.... Courts typically reject overbroad or irrelevant requests."  MORE >>

"[This] Q&A explains how employer-sponsored health insurance affects a family's eligibility for a premium tax credit, and when employees and their family members can forgo an offer of employer coverage and purchase coverage in the health insurance marketplace with the help of a premium tax credit."  MORE >>

"Benefits jargon leaves many employees feeling lost, which can lead to missed opportunities and underused perks. This employee-friendly glossary breaks down 52 of the most commonly misunderstood terms in plain English, helping HR teams and employees alike navigate benefits with confidence. From deductibles to COBRA, this guide makes sure no one gets tripped up by confusing fine print."  MORE >>

"For disabled employees, RTO policies don't just represent a change in environment, they can become a tipping point that insurers use to challenge or deny disability claims. Understanding the interplay between workplace demands, disability accommodations, and the definition of disability in ERISA policies is essential to protecting your rights."  MORE >>

"You may also be able to successfully appeal denials from employer health insurance plans or traditional Medicare -- whether for prior authorization or for a service you already received -- although few people know their appeal rights.... Here's what you need to know to appeal a health insurance denial, whether it involves a prior authorization request or a big bill following a procedure or treatment that you believe your insurance should cover."  MORE >>

"What plans does ERISA cover (and exclude)? ... Key legal differences in ERISA vs. Non-ERISA plans ... Special considerations applied to different types of benefits (health, disability, and retirement) ... Determining ERISA plan status: how to know if ERISA applies ... Recent legal developments and impact ... When to seek legal guidance for an ERISA or non-ERISA claim."  MORE >>

"Part I: HSA Contributions and Deduction.... Part II: HSA Distributions.... Part III: Income and Additional Tax for Failure To Maintain HDHP Coverage."  MORE >>