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Health & Welfare Plans Newsletter

November 18, 2025

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Employers Grapple with GLP-1 Coverage for Weight Loss

"About 19 percent of companies with 200 or more workers, and 43 percent of firms with 5,000 or more workers, covered GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in their largest health plan in 2025 ... Employers that want to avoid covering GLP-1s for weight loss in their general health plans could provide a health reimbursement account (HRA), using pre-tax dollars, to cover a portion of the cost of these medications.... Another option for employers is to provide an HRA contribution incentive for employees who participate in weight loss programs."  MORE >>

Ogletree Deakins

Methods to Lower Your Company's Healthcare Costs in 2026

"Navigating healthcare options is more complex than ever, and understanding the system can make a major difference for both employers and employees.... [1] Level-funded plans ... [2] Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) ... [3] Health Savings Accounts (HSA) ... [4] SHOP ... [5] Education."  MORE >>

Entrepreneur

Creating an Employee Benefits Broker RFP That Delivers

"The right broker helps HR reclaim hours, control costs, and improve employee experience. A strong RFP focuses on seven categories: experience, support, technology, engagement, compliance, transparency, and results. Look for brokers that provide proactive strategy, year-round service, and modern tools. Use a scoring matrix to compare responses objectively. Run RFPs every 2-3 years or when your business changes significantly."  MORE >>

Nava

2025 California Health Benefits Survey

"Over 17 million non-elderly Californians (55%) received health benefits through an employer in 2023.... The average annual single coverage premium in California is $10,033, higher than the national average of $9,325. The average annual family premium in California is $28,397, higher than the national average of $26,993.... On average, covered workers in California contribute 14% of the premium for single coverage and 27% for family coverage in 2025.  ... A lower share of covered workers in California face a general annual deductible for single coverage than covered workers nationally (75% vs. 88%), and the average deductible is lower ($1,620 vs. $1,886). "  MORE >>

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Health Coverage State-to-State 2025

110 pages. "This report catalogues what health plans contribute in terms of: [1] Access to health care coverage; [2] Number of jobs the industry generates, both directly and indirectly; [3] Tax revenues paid to support the local economy."  MORE >>

AHIP

Benefits in General

Related Employer Groups: Benefit Plan Compliance Impacts and Identification Strategies

"What indicators signal potential related employer group status for business owners? ... What events typically alter or create related employer group classifications? ... What grace periods apply when related employer status emerges from transactions? ... How does related employer aggregation affect retirement plan testing and ACA obligations?"  MORE >>

KLB Benefits Law Group

Press Releases

Milliman to Build First ETFs to Meet the Rising Cost of Healthcare, Addressing A Top U.S. Financial Risk and Trillion Dollar Market

Milliman

Clearity by Cigna Healthcare, A New Tech-Enabled Health Plan Offers Customers Transparent, Predictable Prices

Cigna

Last Issue's Most Popular Items

2026 Quick Benefit Facts (PDF)

Mercer

2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS], U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS]

Shifting Federal Vaccine Guidelines Spark State Reactions and New Mandates

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

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BenefitsLink® Health & Welfare Plans Newsletter, ISSN no. 1536-9595.

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