"Section 127 compliance assistance offered in the FAQs: [1] Educational assistance programs must be in writing.... [2] Permissible educational assistance program benefits.... [3] Employers should consider amending their educational assistance programs to provide Student Loan benefits.... [4] Self-employed individuals, shareholders and owners are eligible to participate in an educational assistance program, subject to certain limitations."  MORE >>

"Essentially, bona fide associations will only be able to take the position they are acting as an 'ERISA employer' if they can support doing so under the guidance issued by the DOL (primarily in advisory opinions) prior to the Trump DOL Rule. The earlier DOL guidance is intensely fact-specific and only allows associations to be treated as an 'employer' under limited conditions for purposes of sponsoring a single health plan that covers its employer members."  MORE >>

"The drugs will have a lowered Part B coinsurance rate from July 1, 2024 -- September 30, 2024, since each drug company raised prices faster than the rate of inflation. Over 750,000 people with Medicare use these drugs annually, which treat conditions such as osteoporosis, cancer, and infections." [Also available: fact sheet]  MORE >>

"Employers and carriers are now shifting to developing smaller networks that focus more on value-based healthcare. These networks are made up of providers that offer service at a reasonable cost that's well-coordinated and results in fewer readmissions, focuses on prevention and takes a conservative approach to care."  MORE >>

"The new monthly median consumers will spend is $120 (excluding retirement savings) -- down $30 from the prior two years.... [E]mployees with higher incomes, those who are married with dependent children, younger workers, and workers who are already enrolled are more likely to spend more on their workplace benefits. For example, enrolled employees are willing to spend a median of $150 per month on benefits, versus $100 for employees who are offered benefits but are not enrolled."  MORE >>

"For a subset of matched claims between the plan sponsors and the pharmacies, the average plan sponsor (employer) costs were approximately $165,000 higher than the reimbursement provided to pharmacies. Plan sponsor (employer) costs increased by 30% while commercial pharmacy reimbursement decreased by 3% between 2020-2023. PBM-affiliated mail-order pharmacies had prescription markups that were more than three times higher than the markups at retail pharmacies." [Also available: detailed study results]  MORE >>

"Three in five consultants, or 61%, said they are spending more time this year advising clients on the costs of prescription drugs ... [D]espite the popularity of [GLP-1] drugs, less than one in three consultants, or 31%, are recommending expanded coverage. Nearly half, or 47%, are recommending both increases and decreases in coverage, depending on the client."  MORE >>

"Over the last five years, nonemployer health insurance premiums payments have increased by 19 percent, and employer payments have increased by 33 percent, implying compound annual growth rates of 3.5 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively.  ... Health insurance premiums are an increasing share of operating expenses for nonemployer businesses, but tax credits could be moderating premium growth for some. Health insurance premiums comprise a larger share of compensation costs for employer businesses with lower revenues."  MORE >>

"Insurers are seeking an average increase of 8.3% on 2025 individual plans and 11.9% on small group policies. The proposed hikes are lower than what was requested the last two years, but similar to those sought in 2021."  MORE >>

"[T]he Council's revised budget increased the amount from 0.62% to 0.75%, generating an estimated $76.1 million in revenue in FY25. Rather than depositing this increase into the Universal Paid Leave Fund for future program expenses, the Council's revised budget would redirect this money into the District's General Fund to be spent on other, unrelated programs."  MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in Florida that were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that began on May 10, 2024 ... now have until Nov. 1, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in: Baker, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in Oklahoma that were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on May 19, 2024 ... now have until Nov. 1, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in: Blaine, Caddo, Cluster, Delaware, Jackson, Mayes, Muskogee, and Rogers counties qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>