Health Plan Premium Incentives for the COVID-19 Vaccine: A 'How To' Guide

"Determine the incentive amount ... Make uniform offers ... Decide timing ... Give formal notice and an offer of a reasonable alternative ... Give a new opportunity each year ... Watch your 'affordability' math ... Discount now, but don't implement a 'surcharge' until the change of the plan year ... Don't require shots on-site ... Consider your union."  MORE >>

Foley & Lardner LLP

How to Support Your Employees' Mental Health Through Comprehensive Healthcare Plans

"Driven by the spike in cases due to the pandemic, there are now new, innovative health tech platforms that are making it easier for employers to help their workers get the support they need to better acknowledge and manage their mental health. These flexible platforms serve as digital front doors designed to equip businesses with easy access to a curated network of the best-in-class lifestyle and health improvement programs for their employees."  MORE >>

The Staffing Stream

Actress Files Class Action Against SAG-AFTRA Over Undisclosed Benefit Cuts

"In August, making similar allegations to those contained in Asner's suit, actress Frances Fisher ... filed a class-action lawsuit ... [alleging] that the union deceived members into agreeing to collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) that reduced health care benefits for retirees and their families." [Frances Fisher v. SAG-AFTRA, No. 21-5215 (C.D. Cal. complaint filed Aug. 3, 2021)]  MORE >>

Hall Benefits Law

Court Finds No Private Right of Action Under ACA for Facility's Claim Against Grandfathered Health Plan

"[T]he facility requested a judicial declaration that the fund had to comply with the [ACA] essential health benefits requirement, which mandates hospitalization coverage ... The court dismissed the claim, holding that the ACA's essential health benefits provision did not provide for a private right of action, either on its face or by implication." [Kindred Hosps. East, L.L.C. v. Local 464A United Food and Commercial Workers Union Welfare Serv. Benefit Fund, No. 21-10659 (D.N.J. Sep. 29, 2021)]  MORE >>

Thomson Reuters / EBIA

Should Spouses Obtain Separate Health Insurance?

"With more employers levying spousal surcharges, obtaining coverage on a single plan isn't necessarily the most cost-effective for dual-earning couples.... Each partner's healthcare needs may also figure into the choice, especially if one spouse has higher healthcare usage than the other.... If you're part of a married couple or family working your way through open enrollment in 2021, here are some of the key issues to keep in mind[.]"  MORE >>

Christine Benz, in Morningstar

Amazon Plans to Expand Virtual Care Service

"Amazon continues to eye the employer market with its Amazon Care service ... The company plans to roll out its hybrid care model, which combines virtual care services as well as in-home care, to Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Los Angeles ... Amazon Care's in-person care service had been limited to Washington state, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore[.]"  MORE >>

FierceHealthcare

Multinationals Expect to Increase International Assignments, Wellbeing Benefits

"31% of multinationals are planning to increase the number of [international (expatriate)] assignments in the next year ... [M]ost multinational organizations have focused on expanding wellbeing benefits amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including enhancing telehealth services and employee assistance programs (EAPs). Over seven in 10 respondents (71%) now offer EAPs to their IMEs, up sharply from 53% in 2019.... 44% expanded their wellbeing benefits this year, up from 30% in 2019."  MORE >>

Willis Towers Watson

[Opinion]

Statement for Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Health Insurance Coverage in America: Current and Future Role of Federal Programs (PDF)

"While considering legislative and regulatory policy development and implementation, federal lawmakers and regulators must understand and appreciate the societal and economic commitments employers make to our nation's workforce through the employer-sponsored coverage system.... Dismantling our nation's private sector employment-based health system which provides coverage to the largest percentage of the population would create utter chaos and massive disruptions to the care system for all Americans."  MORE >>

Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage [P4ESC]

[Opinion]

Comments Submitted to DOL on Proposed SECURE Act Revisions to Form 5500

DOL has posted comments received on proposed SECURE Act changes to Form 5500. As of October 20, six comment letters have been posted. Comments are due on or before November 1, 2021.  MORE >>

Employee Benefits Security Administration [EBSA], U.S. Department of Labor [DOL]

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FAIR Health Elects Phyllis Borzi to Board of Directors

FAIR Health

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Making Sense of the No Surprises Act and Interim Final Rules

November 9, 2021 WEBCAST

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Mental Health Parity Act: A Compliance Wake-Up Call

Hall Benefits Law

CAA Surprise Billing Rules Preserve HSA Eligibility

Newfront

Prepare for a 'Tsunami' of Long-COVID Disability Claims: 20% of Long-Haulers Will Be Too Sick to Return to Work

HR Brew