Rev. Oct. 6, 2025. "This document summarizes key dates for calendar year 2025 regarding some activities and policies that are outlined in other documents ... originally published on December 31, 2024 ... This document revises certain key dates listed in the December 31, 2024 version in response to City of Columbus v. Kennedy[.]"  MORE >>

"This year's amendments ... effective January 1, 2026 ... allow employees to use leave if they or a family member are a victim of certain crimes and are attending judicial proceedings related to that crime ... [T]he amendments -- effective on October 1, 2025 -- revise the paid leave law to incorporate by reference covered uses that already exist under the unpaid leave law:"  MORE >>

"As of Jan. 1, 2026, the benefit contribution rate remains at .88% of eligible wages for all employers.... Additionally, on Jan. 1, 2026, the maximum weekly benefit will increase from $1,170.64 to $1,230.39."  MORE >>

"Smaller employers ... will be required to begin implementation of job protection for employees over a three-year period ... [T]here is also a new stacking mechanism allowing (but not requiring) employers to count FMLA leave toward the total amount of leave entitled to job protection under the WA PFML, if the employee was eligible for WA PFML but did not apply for and receive it.... [E]mployers must provide a written notice within five business days of the employee's initial request for or use of FMLA leave, whichever comes first, and then monthly thereafter for the remainder of the employer's FMLA 12-month period."  MORE >>

"[1] Conduct an independent legal review.... [2] Consider a request for proposals (RFP).... [3] Identify above-market pricing and hidden revenue.... [4] Renegotiate or implement new terms.... [5] Audit for overcharges.... [6] Educate your fiduciaries. "  MORE >>

"[1] Can you present a strategy and timeline for alternative vendor options? ... [2] What cost-saving strategies can we deploy this year with minimal disruption? ... [3] Which digital health or telehealth solutions should we consider for our population? ... [4] What high-performance or alternative network options are available? ... [5] How do we measure your performance and hold you accountable? ... [6] What's the renewal timeline and what milestones should we hit together?"  MORE >>

"A strong majority of consumers (63%) with employer- provided coverage are satisfied with their current coverage.... On average, employers pay 84% of employees' health coverage premiums for a single person, and 75% for a family.... Nearly 1 in 4 Americans -- 41 million people -- received mental health support in 2020 through their employer coverage.... A strong majority of voters (63%) support the current tax treatment of employer-provided coverage."  MORE >>

"Containing over two billion claims, the [All Payer Claims Database (APCD)] is big, complex, and expensive to maintain ... What the data lacks ... is claims for self-insured plans, which comprise the largest group of consumers in the state ... [T]he data appears to largely be used by [Connecticut's Office of Health Strategy (OHS)] for their various analyses on healthcare costs ... and for consumer dashboards meant to allow users to compare costs for services at multiple in-state providers."  MORE >>

14 pages. "To truly take control of cancer and its costs, health plans must work to close care gaps for their members -- starting before a person becomes sick, spanning the course of diagnosis and treatment, and extending long into recovery."  MORE >>

"Across the two years for which CMS has made data available, providers initiated at least 85% of disputes and won 82% of cases. Five PE groups accounted for almost 60% of the filed disputes.... One recurring complaint of providers is the difficulty of obtaining arbitrated payments. In 2024, a physician association reported that 24% of IDR payments received by members either were not paid within the required time frame of 30 business days or were not paid in full."  MORE >>

"[Reference-based pricing (RBP)] isn't a toggle to the easy bottom. It's an entirely new operating system. It changes incentives, processes, and psychology. It's a direct assault on the two most powerful stakeholders in the largest segment of America's economy (healthcare): insurers and hospital chains. It works when you do it right, and it blows up when you wing it."  MORE >>