READ TIME: 5 MINUTES The recent ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Dwyer v. United Healthcare Ins. Co. serves as a reminder for plan sponsors and insurers of the importance of adhering to both substantive and procedural requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). In this case, a participant in […]
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Changes to Medicare Part D Call for a Reexamination of Creditable Coverage
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES Every year, group health plans are required to notify their Medicare-eligible policyholders whether their prescription drug coverage is “creditable coverage.” Drug coverage is creditable if it is as good or better than the Medicare drug benefit. If a Medicare-eligible individual is not enrolled in creditable coverage, they may incur late enrollment […]
Read moreNew CMS Rules on Medicare Reporting Penalties
READ TIME: 6 MINUTES The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued final rules outlining the penalties for responsible reporting entities (RREs) that fail to meet Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) reporting obligations. The regulations were applicable as of October 11, 2024, and enforcement will begin in October 2025. The penalties for non-compliance are […]
Read moreDear HR Manager
Dear HR Manager, I’ve recently been promoted to a leadership role and want to ensure I’m the best boss I can be. What steps can I take to lead effectively and create a positive environment for my team? – New to Leadership Dear New to Leadership, Congratulations on your new role! Becoming an outstanding leader […]
Read moreSimplifying HR Processes with AI
READ TIME: 4 MINUTES AI is becoming crucial as HR looks to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and offer personalized solutions. From creating HR materials to improving the recruitment process, AI’s integration is driving a shift in the way organizations support and engage their workforce. According to a recent survey, 44% of employers said they use […]
Read moreSeptember 2024 Compliance Recap
READ TIME: 7 MINUTES September brought the due date for the Summary Annual Report, which summarizes the Form 5500 contents. Employers prepared to send out the required Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage letters to eligible participants and enrolled beneficiaries. The Departments released final rules on the MHPAEA NQTL analysis. California insurers are required to cover […]
Read moreWebinar: Compliance Considerations for Self-Funding
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 1 – 2PM CST Register Now Registration Code:UBA410EW Gain insights into: The impact of state and federal regulations on self-funded plan design, cost, and administration The role and responsibility of third-party administrators The ERISA documents, reporting, and disclosures required for a self-funded plan Be able to answer these questions: How do […]
Read moreIRS Releases 2025 Limits for HDHPs and HSAs
Read Time: 5 MINUTES The IRS recently issued Revenue Procedure 2024-25 to announce the 2025 inflation-adjusted amounts that apply to health savings accounts (HSAs), excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (EBHRAs), and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). The newly announced figures result in increases in the applicable limits for 2025, including the maximum contribution limit for an […]
Read moreIRS Answers Questions Regarding Tax- Favored Educational Assistance Programs
READ TIME: 4 MINUTES Employers can leverage educational assistance programs to enhance their workforce’s skills while providing tax benefits. On June 17, 2024, the IRS answered frequently asked questions related to educational assistance programs. Overview of Educational Assistance Programs An educational assistance program (EAP) is a written benefits plan provided by an employer to offer […]
Read moreAugust 2024 Compliance Recap
READ TIME: 7 MINUTES In August, the FTC ban on non-compete agreements was struck down by a court stating that the FTC did not have the power to implement the ban and that its application was too broad. The FDA approved new and updated COVID-19 vaccines for adults and children as part of the preventive […]
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