"The draft markup expands an employer's options for providing insurance during leave ... The draft markup makes clear that employers will not be required to provide for, contribute to, or otherwise maintain employment-related health insurance benefits for an employee who does not receive or is not eligible to receive such employment-related health insurance benefits when the employee's family or medical leave begins.... [S]ome open issues remain[.]"  MORE >>

"[The Healthy Delaware Families Act (HDFA)] is designed to offer paid leave benefits to employees starting in 2026. This new benefit is funded through employee payroll deductions set to begin in January 2025. In many respects, the Act closely tracks the federal [FMLA] and is not as expansive as many other states' paid family and medical leave laws."  MORE >>

"The [CARES Act] amended Section 127 to include student loan repayment assistance as a qualified educational expense.... [T]he Consolidated Appropriations Act ... extended the provision for five years through December 31, 2025.... The five-year extension of this student loan repayment assistance can provide tax savings to both employers (employer portion of FICA) and employees (federal and state withholding, and FICA)."  MORE >>

"Employer plans that cover these services, and that are now adding a travel benefit for employees to access this care, might create a paper trail of claims information or reimbursement records.... Federal privacy protections have long restricted the use and disclosure of personal health information to and by employer-sponsored plans, but these protections are not fool proof and will likely be tested going forward by states looking to implement abortion bans and related restrictions."  MORE >>

"Health and welfare benefits are an important part of attracting and retaining employees, as well as creating a positive and supportive workplace environment. There are many service providers who are eager to help you provide these benefits ... With so many resources, why is it necessary to get a lawyer involved?"  MORE >>

"Frequently requiring your current carrier to respond to RFPs can harm that relationship.... Get renewal plans early.... [R]espond with a fair and reasonable rate increase backed by data. The goal is to counteroffer a number that creates stability and predictability for renewals in the future."  MORE >>

"Commercial health insurers suffered a 90% decrease in underwriting income last year as fewer people signed onto group health and instead moved into individual coverage on an exchange or a Medicaid program, and COVID care requirements far exceeded expectations. Those are two key factors in the commercial health insurance industry's dismal performance in a down year for health insurance overall, which saw a 65% decrease in underwriting income,"  MORE >>

"A collaborative, direct relationship among employers, doctors, and hospitals has been shown to successfully reduce care costs and attain better health results over time.... Here are some quick approaches that could help break up the logjam and avert a protracted health care crisis[.]"  MORE >>

"[The Prescription Pricing for the People Act (S 1388)] would prohibit a PBM from engaging in commercial practices known as spread pricing and pharmacy clawbacks unless it passes all rebates and concessions received from drug manufacturers to health plans and discloses all cost, price, and reimbursement information and all fees, markups, and discounts charged to health plans and pharmacies. It would also mandate greater transparency by requiring PBMs to submit an annual report to the [FTC]."  MORE >>

"By July 31, employers that sponsor self-funded medical plans must report and pay their PCORI fee. By July 31, employers that sponsor calendar-year employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA must file a Form 5500 ... or request an extension by filing a Form 5558."  MORE >>

"[1] HSAs are a great retirement savings opportunity ... [2] HSAs go beyond Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) qualified expenses ... [3] Matching contributions drive HSA balances ... [4] HSAs cover medical costs now -- and later ... [5] HSAs can be paired with decision-support tools ... [6] Health FSAs complement HSAs ... [7] Employers can provide extra support through HSA plan design ... [8] It's easy to invest HSA balances ... [9] HSAs go hand in hand with voluntary benefits."  MORE >>