Resources

Social Determinants of Health

This paper offers background and strategies to create a supportive environment that can help meet the diverse needs of your workforce. Social Determinants of Health…

DOL Targets Employment-related Contract Clauses

On Oct. 15, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of the Solicitor (SOL) released a special enforcement report identifying seven “fine-print” employment-related contract…

FTC Appeals Federal District Court Decision Blocking Noncompete Ban

On Oct. 18, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a notice of appeal contesting the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas’…

Proposed Rule Would Broaden ACA’s Contraceptive Coverage Mandate

On Oct. 21, 2024, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury issued a proposed rule that, if finalized, would expand access…

How Educational Assistance Programs Can Help Pay Student Loans Through 2025

The IRS is reminding employers that their educational assistance programs can be utilized to help cover their employees’ student loan payments. While educational assistance programs…

IRS Ruling Allows Employees to Choose Between Health, Retirement, and Student Loan Benefits

The IRS has issued a private letter ruling (No. 202434006) approving an employer program that allows employees to allocate employer contributions across multiple available benefits.…

CMS Sets New Cost-Sharing Limits for 2026 Health Coverage Plans

On October 8, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the maximum cost-sharing limits for 2026 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).…

New ACA Reporting Penalties for Returns Filed in 2026

IRS Revenue Procedure 2024-40 outlines updated penalty amounts for reporting entities that do not meet the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements under Internal Revenue Code…

2025 Sees a Boost in Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit Caps

The IRS recently released Revenue Procedure 2024-40, including cost-of-living adjustments for employee qualified transportation fringe benefits for the 2025 taxable year, and annually adjusted numbers…

Preparing for the 2024 Gag Clause Attestation: Key Resources and Action Steps for Employers

On May 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a set of resources to help health plans and insurance issuers with their annual…

Final Rule Strengthens Mental Health Parity Requirements

Highlights The Departments have released a final rule to strengthen MHPAEA’s requirements. The final rule makes changes to the existing NQTL standard to prevent plans…

Pay-or-Play Affordability Percentage to Increase for 2025

Highlights The IRS has announced the affordability percentage that will apply under the ACA’s pay- or-play rules for plan years beginning in 2025. This percentage…

Employee Health & Benefits Trends: The Evolving Workforce

2024 Employee Health & Benefits Trends: The Evolving Workforce report helps professionals like you stay ahead of evolving workplace trends. Optimize your company’s benefits strategies…

2024 Absence, Disability, and Leave Benchmarking Report

We are pleased to present the findings of Marsh McLennan Agency’s 2024 absence, disability, and leave benchmarking survey in a new report. This report gathers…

Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before October 15

Important Date October 15, 2024: Group health plan sponsors must provide the annual Medicare Part D notices to Medicare-eligible individuals before this deadline. Every year,…

FTC Noncompete Ban Blocked by Federal District Court

Highlights On May 7, 2024, the FTC issued a final rule that would ban virtually all noncompetes effective September 4, 2024. On July 3, 2024,…

Employer Handling of MLR Rebates

Links and Resources HHS issued interim final rules implementing the MLR requirements in December 2010. The Department of Labor (DOL) issued Technical Release 2011-4 (TR…

How to Handle HSA Overcontributions and Prevent Future Excise Taxes

Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions that go beyond an individual’s maximum allowable amount, or are made by or for someone who is not eligible for…

Federal Courts Block Enforcement of Specific Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Provisions

On April 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) issued a final rule under Section 1557…

Key Employment Law Compliance Trends for Mid-2024

There have been significant changes in employment law at the federal, state and local levels throughout 2024. A review of recent and proposed legislation reveals…

HHS Enhances Reproductive Health Care Privacy with HIPAA Model Attestation

Key Dates April 26, 2024: HHS published a final rule on reproductive health care privacy. December 23, 2024: Covered entities and business associates must comply…

2024 ACA Reporting: Draft Forms Now Available

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued the draft forms for 2024 reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. However, the draft instructions…

Court Rejects Pre-Birth FMLA Leave for Unmarried Father

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled in Tanner v. Stryker Corp. that an unmarried employee who traveled to be with his pregnant ex-girlfriend…

Understanding the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA): Key Takeaways for Employers

A recent webinar hosted by The Horton Group provided essential insights into the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and its implications for employers. Here’s a…