READ TIME: 4 MINUTES 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 A recent survey projects a 9% increase in […]
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September 2025 Compliance Recap
READ TIME: 6 MINUTES 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 how the higher limit in […]
Read moreWebinar: The Evolving Role of Group Health Plan Fiduciaries and Plan Administrators
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 1 – 2PM CST Register Now Registration Code:UBA410EW Attend this month’s webinar for an in-depth look at the ERISA fiduciary duties related to managing group health plans of all sizes and funding structures. Key takeaways: Gain insight into the responsibilities of the plan administrator and their interaction with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) […]
Read moreAugust 2025 Compliance Recap
In August, North Carolina’s Governor signed the SCRIPT Act into law, regulating PBM transparency and strengthening consumer and pharmacy protections. Texas extended the time for new parents to enroll their newborns in coverage from 31 to 60 days from the date of birth. Illinois expands dependent coverage rules to eligible dependent parents and stepparents of […]
Read moreIRS Releases 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustments for HSAs and HDHPs
The IRS recently issued Revenue Procedure 2025-19, announcing the 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts that apply to health savings accounts (HSAs), excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (EBHRAs), and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Each of the newly announced figures is an increase in the applicable limits for 2026. These limits will differ depending on whether an individual is […]
Read moreERISA Requirements for Plan Document Translation
READ TIME: 6 MINUTES Many employers today have a diverse workforce that includes individuals who speak little or no English. Employers commonly ask whether they are required to translate Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) or Summaries of Material Modifications (SMMs) into other languages. ERISA does not mandate full translations of SPDs or SMMs, but certain employers […]
Read moreJune 2025 Compliance Recap
READ TIME: 7 MINUTES June saw the Supreme Court uphold and affirm the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to appoint and oversee members of the body that evaluates and recommends preventive treatments as part of the Affordable Care Act. Employers can review their options should they receive a medical loss […]
Read moreNew Federal Data Sharing Deals Heighten Compliance Risks for Plan Sponsors
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES Recent federal changes are reshaping the way immigration enforcement intersects employment issues, posing new compliance risks for employers and plan sponsors. Two recent developments ramped up coordination among government agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, to detect and deter unauthorized work and benefits, and shed light on what employers need to […]
Read moreNavigating State PBM Laws: Understanding ERISA Preemption and Compliance
READ TIME: 6 MINUTES Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) play a pivotal role in the U.S. healthcare system, managing prescription drug benefits on behalf of insurers and employer-sponsored health plans. However, rising concerns over PBM transparency, pricing practices, and reimbursement rates have led to an expanding patchwork of state-level legislation. For employers – especially those offering […]
Read moreFederal Agencies Announce Pause in Enforcement of 2024 Mental Health Parity Rule
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES On May 15, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (IRS) (collectively, “the Departments”) issued an anticipated nonenforcement policy regarding the 2024 Final Rule implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). This follows a legal challenge to the 2024 Final […]
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