"Plan sponsors that offer prescription drug coverage must provide notices of creditable or non-creditable coverage to Medicare-enrolled individuals before each year’s Medicare Part D annual enrollment period -- this year, by October 14. The notice obligation is not limited to retirees and their dependents but also includes Medicare-enrolled active employees and their dependents and Medicare-enrolled COBRA participants and their dependents."  MORE >>

"In this cross-sectional study of [over 7 million] US commercial insurance claims, mean in-network and out-of-network payments were 14% and 112% higher than [qualified payment amount (QPA)] estimates, respectively. Mean out-of-network payments were higher among self-funded plans than fully insured plans and among physicians vs. nonphysicians."  MORE >>

"Hindered by market headwinds, health savings accounts grew to $98.8 billion in assets held in almost 34 million accounts, a year-over-year increase of 6% for assets and 9% for health savings accounts for the period ending June 30th, 2022.... Over 2.4 million health savings accounts have at least a portion of their HSA dollars invested, representing over 7% of all accounts."  MORE >>

"As an advisor for employer-sponsored health plans, it won't be a question of if, but when, you will need to discuss VPC with your clients.... Step 1: Gain common understanding about VPC ... Step 2: Address the 'in-person' care issue head on ... Step 3: Remind the client of the medical homelessness crisis in America ... Step 4: Highlight the cost savings and efficiencies VPC can bring."  MORE >>

"New Jersey teachers in the state's School Employees' Health Benefits Program will be paying over 15% more for health coverage in 2023, similar though slightly less than the increase being imposed on municipal and county workers."  MORE >>

"Victims of Hurricane Fiona beginning September 17, 2022, now have until February 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments ... Individuals and households affected by Hurricane Fiona that reside or have a business in all 78 municipalities in Puerto Rico qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>