"In July of this year, some reports indicated that Massachusetts had enacted ... a major amendment to the PFML Act -- namely, that beginning in 2023, employees would have the option to use paid leave accrued through their employer to 'top off' benefits received from the Department.... [T]he Department has clarified that no such change is on the immediate horizon."  MORE >>

"The extension of California's COVID-19 [supplemental paid sick leave(SPSL)] ... would continue employers' SPSL obligations through the end of 2022. The leave extension comes as similar paid leave requirements in most other states have expired.... [E]mployers would not be obligated to provide additional COVID-19 SPSL to employees who have already used their allotment for 2022 or if an employee refuses to submit to additional tests."  MORE >>

"Even though employees will not be entitled to [family and medical leave insurance (FAMLI)] benefits until January 1, 2024, ... on or before January 1, 2023, Colorado employers will need to register with ... the state-run FAMLI portal expected to launch sometime in Q4 2022. Then, starting January 1, 2023, employers will need to begin to withhold premium payments and to submit quarterly wage reports through the My FAMLI+ portal."  MORE >>

"Two common funding methods are providing annual lump sum deposits or making deposits with each paycheck. Employers can also consider three other approaches that, depending on their situation, may make their HSA offering more attractive."  MORE >>

"The decision to embrace 100% coverage of premiums, rather than the national average of 83%, can be an incredible differentiator in the eyes of candidates who are shopping around between multiple potential employers.... Expanded voluntary benefits ... Holistic leave for caregivers ... [D]ata-driven benefits offerings are becoming more prevalent ... with both internal employee surveys and external expertise being leveraged to improve offerings.... Personalization and malleability."  MORE >>

"Even though two-thirds (66%) of survey respondents said they feel squeezed financially, 80% also said they intend to maintain or increase their spend on areas related to health and fitness -- such as exercise classes or vitamins and supplements -- in the next year.... In addition to more than four in 10 respondents (42%) saying they are increasing the amount of physical activity, one-third (33%) of respondents said that they're more focused on self-care -- such as indulging in a bath or beauty treatment -- than they were a year ago."  MORE >>

"[This study analyzes] the impact of five policies for expanding coverage and affordability after the extension of ARPA subsidies. The five options include: [1] filling the Medicaid gap in nonexpansion states; [2] reducing the employer affordability threshold; [3] adding a $10 billion reinsurance fund; [4] increasing the federal Medicaid matching rate in expansion states; and [5] enhancing and funding marketplace cost-sharing subsidies."  MORE >>

"Shared parental leave is the least common type. Adoption leave -- an important type of leave particularly for same sex parents, varies greatly between countries.... There is still a pattern of little or no paternity leave in many countries, while most offer some form of maternity leave though it varies greatly in length.... The rate of pay ranges from nil to full pay."  MORE >>

"As this case illustrates, certain abortion-related disclosures under state laws enacted in anticipation of the Dobbs ruling or thereafter may place HIPAA covered entities in the difficult position of having to choose between complying with HIPAA or state law. Although this court avoided having to hold that the state law at issue was HIPAA-preempted, this may not always be the outcome." [Planned Parenthood Great Nw., Haw., Ak., In., & Ky., Inc. v. Cameron, No. 22-0198 (W.D. Ky. Aug. 30, 2022)]  MORE >>

"In addition to preparing the examinations, the Advisory Committee reviews statistical results of the examinations and recommends appropriate pass marks to the Joint Board. It also assists in developing the syllabi and addressing other issues related to the enrollment examination process. Members are appointed for two-year terms.... The Joint Board is now seeking applications from enrolled actuaries[.]"  MORE >>

"Despite myriad spiking costs, many plan sponsors with a robust retirement plan and matching contribution are not cutting back retirement benefits ... Plan sponsors have increased mental health benefits and added high-deductible health plans as an avenue for navigating the effects of increased inflation ... Employers are bolstering and adding voluntary benefits such as supplemental insurance for critical illness and personal accident and hospital indemnity coverage ... Employers are also incorporating child and elder care benefits[.]"  MORE >>