"[DOL] and IRS have informally commented that the 'outbreak period' will end on July 10, 2023.... [This article] recaps the implications on employer-sponsored group health plans of the end of the national emergencies under the NEA and the Stafford Act."  MORE >>

"Coupled with the evolution of state telehealth practice laws and regulations, the provisions of the CAA enable most telehealth providers to continue their routine virtual care practice through the end of 2024. In fact, the expiration of the PHE should have little impact on the majority of telehealth providers."  MORE >>

"The temporary rule will take effect on May 11, 2023, and ... [1] Temporarily extends COVID-19 PHE controlled substance prescribing flexibilities through November 11, 2023 ... [2] Grants an additional one-year grace period through November 11, 2024 to patients and practitioners who established a telemedicine relationship on or before November 11, 2023."  MORE >>

"[This] Fact Sheet [provides] an update on current flexibilities enabled by the COVID-19 emergency declaration and how they will be impacted by the end of the COVID-19 PHE on May 11.... The Administration's continued response to COVID-19 is not fully dependent on the emergency declaration for the COVID-19 PHE, and there are significant flexibilities and actions that will not be affected when we transition from the current phase of our response on May 11.... Many COVID-19 PHE flexibilities and policies have already been made permanent or otherwise extended for some time, with others expiring after May 11."  MORE >>

"[T]he court distinguished between disputes over a plan's meaning and those over a plan's application. Here, the parties agreed about what the plan said, and thus their only dispute involved the application of those plan terms.... [T]he Fifth Circuit upheld the district court's decision that substantial evidence did not support Blue Cross' adverse benefit decision." [Salim v. Louisiana Health Service & Indemnity Co., No. 22-30573 (5th Cir. May 3, 2023; unpub.)]  MORE >>

"[T]he September 2013 and April 2016 poster editions are still effective to use, but now we add this latest purple shade to the mix. The new version clarifies just as much as the others did back in 2013 and 2016."  MORE >>

"[S]trategies employers can use ... [1] Design jobs in ways that promote good mental health.... [2] Encourage managers to serve as mental wellness role models, when possible.... [3] Introduce structured, healthy team-based activities.... [4] Offer allocated vacation days instead of unlimited paid time off (PTO).... [5] Conduct mindfulness training during onboarding.... [6] Offer insurance coverage for therapy.... [7] Offer personal coaches.... [8] Provide mental health training to managers."  MORE >>

"Beyond improving provider workflows, integrating new automated technologies and digital tools in medical practice also provides an opportunity to reduce spending on administrative costs, which accounts for about one-quarter of US health care spending. By some estimates, reducing 'administrative waste' -- unnecessary spending related to billing or other corporate and operational functions -- could save as much as $265 billion."  MORE >>

"With more and more workers expecting remote work opportunities, in-office perks are less in demand than employer flexibility on hybrid working.... [T]he apparent 'perkcession' appears more like a correction, cutting back the excess and keeping those benefits that are most valuable."  MORE >>

"While a majority of younger workers consider traditional benefits (such as paid time off, medical, and retirement savings plans) very important, they also prioritize non-traditional benefits, including flexible work schedules, emergency savings benefits, tuition reimbursement, and financial, mental and health wellness programs."  MORE >>