November 4, 2025
Brinson Compliance Annual Notices
Employers that sponsor group health plans should provide certain benefit notices in connection with their plans’ open enrollment periods. Although these annual notices may be provided at different times throughout the year, employers often choose to include them in the new hire packet, at open ...
October 23, 2025
Advocacy in Action | Investigation of Balance Bill
A member contacted Purple Card for assistance. He had received bills from a service provider totaling $5,712 for medical services. He was concerned the claim had not been processed correctly by the insurance carrier and wanted to know if he truly owed over $5,000. The Patient advocate went to ...
October 21, 2025
Employee Benefits | Rethinking Health Plan Costs
Healthcare spending continues to rise, prompting employers to evaluate how benefit plans are designed and managed. As 2026 approaches, cost control is being paired with a stronger focus on preventive care, cost transparency, and long-term employee health. The Challenge: Costs That Keep Climbing ...
October 14, 2025
Workplace Culture | Making AI Adoption Part of Your Culture
AI is transforming organizations, but its success ultimately rests on culture rather than technology. Employees must be included in ongoing learning, understand how AI supports their goals, and trust that it enhances, not replaces, their work. When AI adoption feels exclusive or unclear, ...
October 7, 2025
Dear HR Manager | Helping Your Team Thrive
How can I help my team thrive? I want my team to grow and feel fulfilled, but pressure from constant deadlines makes it difficult to focus. — Aspiring Supportive Leader Dear Aspiring, It’s encouraging that you’re thinking this way. Recognition strengthens loyalty and motivation; well-recognized ...
October 6, 2025
Compliance Recap | September 2025
September saw employers preparing for the distribution of potential MLR rebates, while New York City readies for an expansion to its Earned Safe and Sick Leave Act. Applicable employers prepare to comply with the Gag Clause Attestation due in December. Sponsors of dependent care FSAs considered ...
September 18, 2025
Advocacy in Action | Benefit Program Education
Ingrid needed help. Her child needed to be evaluated by a neuropsychologist. Ingrid did not fully understand her benefits and was looking at using an out of network provider—oh no! After her conversation with a patient advocate, she understood the benefit (insurance and financial) of using an ...
September 16, 2025
Dear HR Manager | Managing Meeting Overload
How do I manage meeting overload on my team? Our calendars are packed with back-to-back meetings, and I can see the fatigue starting to set in. People are less engaged, productivity is slipping, and yet the meetings continue to multiply. How can I cut the clutter without losing important ...
September 15, 2025
Illinois Expands Dependent Coverage in 2026
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Illinois will require fully insured health policies issued in the state to offer dependent coverage for parents and stepparents who qualify as tax dependents under the Internal Revenue Code. This expansion – enacted under the recently passed House Bill 5258 – is a major ...
September 15, 2025
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 ...
