"The updated guidance, reformed by the One Big Beautiful Bill, gives employers a timely opportunity to modernize Section 127 programs, including by revising plan documents, expanding or formalizing student loan repayment features, and reassessing compliance with notice and nondiscrimination requirements."  MORE >>

23 pages. "[1] Covered employers ... [2] Covered employees ... [3] Program funding ... [4] Definitions ... [5] Intermittent and reduced schedule leave ... [6] Weekly benefit amount ... [7] Claim application process ... [8] Notices ... [9] Benefit eligibility ... [10] Benefit coordination ... [11] Private plans ... [12] Employee rights ... [13] Enforcement and penalties ... [14] Taxes and tax credit ... [15] State PFML-federal FMLA comparison ... [16] Resources."  MORE >>

"Bloomington is the second Minnesota city to repeal its paid sick and safe leave ordinance due to the application of statewide standards. Rather than continuing to maintain a parallel framework, Duluth repealed its ordinance effective January 18, 2024, shortly after the state law took effect."  MORE >>

"Recent breakdowns in health system contracts between major insurers and dominant hospital systems pose a growing risk to employers that extends well beyond routine pricing disputes. When large academic health systems exit insurer networks, employers and employees immediately experience disrupted access to care, provider displacement, and widespread confusion that employers cannot easily resolve after the fact."  MORE >>

"[CVS expects] a ~15% decrease in the per prescription net cost in 2026 compared to 2025 for commercial template formulary clients with Standard Utilization Management (UM).... Even with lower net costs per prescription, [CVS expects] overall category spend to rise ~10% for clients maintaining their current benefit designs.* This reflects higher utilization and expanded eligibility."  MORE >>

"Key developments loom for healthcare price transparency both legislatively and in the private sector, according to insights from a recent congressional hearing.... Since hospital transparency mandates took effect in 2021, the Biden and Trump administrations have incrementally expanded the requirements. At this month's hearing, [Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)], the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, suggested recent policy and technological advances have set the stage for price transparency to become embedded in healthcare."  MORE >>

"A data-driven PBM approach can help: [1] Boost medication adherence and chronic condition management. [2] Close care gaps. [3] Improve workforce health and productivity. [4] Build confidence that cost management efforts continue to support quality care. Clearer, more actionable insights can also help identify engagement trends and adherence opportunities, supporting more informed benefit decisions."  MORE >>

"[T]he Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act [HR 7362] was introduced on February 4, 2026. Among other proposed changes, the legislation would extend the Form 5500 filing deadline by nearly three months. For calendar-year plans, the deadline would move from July 31 to October 15."  MORE >>