November 9, 2026
Compliance Brief | November 2026
IRS Updates FAQs on Medical Expenses Related to Nutrition, Wellness, and General Health The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has updated its frequently asked questions (FAQs) addressing which nutrition, wellness, and general health expenses qualify for tax-favored treatment under health savings ...
October 22, 2026
Advocacy in Action | Deductible Credit Assistance
Tara’s work just got a new insurance carrier and what she had accumulated from her old plan had not transferred over to her new plan (deductible credit). Tara had some upcoming medical needs and wanted to make sure that she paid the least amount possible for it. Additionally, there were also ...
October 20, 2026
Dear HR Manager | Survey Results Are Positive, but Turnover Is Rising
Our employee surveys generally show high satisfaction, but we are losing people we wanted to keep. Leadership is questioning whether the surveys are useful. How can we better understand what is happening? — Looking Beyond the Scores Dear Looking Beyond the Scores, The surveys may be ...
October 13, 2026
Workplace Culture | When Employees Stop Speaking Up
A team meeting ends without questions. A new process draws no objections. The employee suggestion channel is quiet. Leaders may read these moments as agreement, but silence alone offers little information about how employees feel. Some employees have nothing to add. Others may be unsure whether ...
October 13, 2026
Agencies Issue Transparency in Coverage Final Rules
On October 5, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), in partnership with the Departments of Labor and the Department of the Treasury (collectively, the “Agencies”) jointly finalized changes to the Transparency in Coverage ...
October 8, 2026
Compliance Brief | October 2026
2026 Gag Clause Attestation Deadline Employers sponsoring group health plans should have the Dec. 31, 2026, Gag Clause Prohibition Compliance Attestation (GCPCA) on their year-end compliance calendars. The requirement stems from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), which prohibits ...
October 6, 2026
Employee Benefits | What Employee Benefit Surveys May Be Missing
Your latest benefits survey looks encouraging. Employees say they are satisfied with the package, and few ask for major changes. Does that mean your benefits are meeting their needs? The results are useful, but they may leave important questions unanswered. An employee can appreciate having ...
September 23, 2026
Medicare Part D Annual Notice Reminder for Employers
If your health benefit plan covers any employee, or their covered dependents, who is eligible for Medicare, this notice applies to you. If you know that your plan does not cover any Medicare eligible individuals (employee or dependent) then you do not need to send this notice. Centers for ...
September 22, 2026
Advocacy in Action | Large Hospital Bill Assistance
A member’s wife had incurred large hospital and treatment bills totaling over $75,000. The member wanted to make sure the claims had been processed and paid correctly by the carrier and the balance due amounts being billed by the service providers were valid and should be paid. The member knew ...
September 15, 2026
Dear HR Manager | Employees Are Comparing Salaries
Several employees have started openly comparing salaries. Their manager is concerned because some employees have discovered differences in pay. Should we ask them to stop discussing compensation? – Caught in the Compensation Conversation Dear Caught, The salary conversations themselves may not ...
