"[A] table shows the 2024 adjusted amounts for health FSAs, QSEHRAs and qualified LTC policies, along with the limits for 2023 and 2022.... [A second] table shows the 2024 adjusted figures for qualified transportation fringe and adoption assistance benefits ... along with amounts for 2023 and 2022."  MORE >>

"A Covered Employee ... is any employee who, in a two-week period, works at least two hours for an employer while physically present in the geographic boundaries of the city.... The ordinance added a leave category and increased the total time for both forms of leave.... There are increased notice obligations that did not previously exist.... [E]mployers with unlimited vacation policies must still comply with the reasonable notice requirements, lack of pre-approval, and even payout requirements."  MORE >>

"The new law alters the existing city sick leave requirement creating two separate categories for required paid time off -- five general paid leave days and five paid sick leave days.... [T]he varying types of leave will have different rules for initial eligibility, minimum usage, rollover and payout upon termination."  MORE >>

"Covered employers' ESST notice obligations, as well as general compliance with the law, begin on January 1, 2024. Employers can use the sample notice to satisfy the ESST law's notice requirements.... The sample notice contains several areas that must be proactively completed by the employer."  MORE >>

"[1] Take a strategic approach to maximizing benefits spend ... [2] Set measurable objectives ... [3] Communication is key ... [4] Publicize benefits programs ... [5] Suggest voluntary benefits ... [6] Understand the population."  MORE >>

"A change in how the government estimates health insurance costs is expected to give a slight boost to a popular US inflation measure, reversing a trend that had been providing some relief in recent months.... In addition to a routine change in source data, the new methodology will aim to smooth some of the volatility and reduce time lags in the index."  MORE >>

"[A] new analysis shows that the number of tests and treatments conducted for which the risks and costs exceed the benefits has barely budged despite a decade-long attempt to tamp down on such care.... [T]he structure of the U.S. health system, which rewards doctors for providing more care rather than the right care, has made it difficult to stop such waste.  ... And when patients are told by physicians or health plans that tests or treatments aren't needed, they often question whether they are being denied care."  MORE >>

"It is important that, in the new ACA environment, we always keep in mind that benefits are so much more than a formula driven, fine avoidance mechanism. To the contrary, an employee benefits package has the ability to impact the lives of employees, in many ways more than a paycheck on its own ever could."  MORE >>