April 22, 2025
CMS Updates Simplified Method for Determining Creditable Coverage Status for 2026
This month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced final instructions for the changes to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) which will affect employer-sponsored plans in 2026. The changes are intended to ...
April 15, 2025
Workplace Culture | Rethinking Career Progression Paths
Internal promotions have long been considered the primary route for professional advancement, but new data shows that job-hopping has become the dominant method for career growth. As traditional corporate ladders flatten and development stalls, employees choose to leave rather than wait. To ...
April 7, 2025
Compliance Recap | March 2025
In March, employers submitted their electronic filings to the Internal Revenue Service for the Affordable Care Act reporting requirement. Medicare Part D disclosure to CMS, certain reporting on HIPAA breaches, and MEWA Form M-1 were due in March. ACA Reporting Affordable Care Act (ACA) ...
March 25, 2025
Advocacy in Action | Hospital Delivery Claims Investigation
A member contacted her Patient Advocate to request an audit of delivery bills for her newborn baby. The PA reviewed the EOB’s and discovered that the insurance carrier had over-applied her deductible. It appeared that the member had met her deductible and out of pocket expenses of $3,125.00 on ...
March 21, 2025
2025 Penalties for Health and Welfare Plans
In January, the Department of Labor (DOL) published the inflation-adjusted penalties for ERISA violations in 2025. The following table summarizes the new penalty amounts and reminds employers of filing deadlines to avoid incurring penalties. Employer Action Items Prepare for annual filing or ...
March 18, 2025
Employee Benefits | Caring for Caregivers
Supporting employees who serve as caregivers is a growing priority for companies aiming to create a compassionate and resilient workforce. Caregiving responsibilities can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining, making it crucial for organizations to provide benefits that address ...
March 12, 2025
2025 RxDC Reporting Deadline
Since the passage of Section 204 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), referred to as the No Surprises Act (NSA), employers have been required to submit annual prescription drug and health care spending data with the Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) report. The RxDC report ...
March 11, 2025
Compliance Recap | February 2025
The federal government in 2025 is experiencing significant internal restructuring, workforce reductions, and communication restrictions across various departments. The results from the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services investigations into Mental Health Parity and Addiction ...
March 11, 2025
Workplace Culture | Hiring for Skills Over Degrees
Traditional hiring models have long emphasized academic credentials, but today’s job market is shifting toward a skills-first approach. As companies look to close talent gaps and improve workforce performance, hiring based on demonstrated abilities rather than degrees is a more effective ...
March 4, 2025
Dear HR Manager from Navigating Revenge Quitting
Dear HR Manager, My company has recently experienced an increase in abrupt resignations, often accompanied by employees voicing frustration about pay, advancement opportunities, and workplace culture. How can we address revenge quitting and prevent it from impacting morale and retention? – ...
