With more than half of all private sector employees enrolled in high-deductible health plans, it’s important that employers have in place certain protocols to ensure that they are a success. As health insurance costs have risen, more employers have started offering their employees this option as the upfront premiums are often lower than with other…
Since the Fed started its aggressive campaign of increasing rates to tame inflation, the amount of dealmaking by private equity firms in the insurance brokerage space has slowed and valuations have dropped. The drop in activity mirrored what was happening with private equity investors overall in the past two years when they pulled back…
The growing popularity of electric vehicles is encouraging businesses to install charging stations in parking lots for their employees and visitors. Commercial real estate owners and investors are always looking for ways to increase the value of their properties. Adding EV charging infrastructure is an obvious way to increase property value while providing a much-needed…
Announcing 2023 InterWest Insurance Services Distinguished Employee Winner! Brandon Welch IT, Associate Systems Administrator, Sacramento Sacramento, California Each year, InterWest recognizes employees who are identified by their co-workers as having demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their clients, workmates as well as their community. This partnership between work and giving back makes them stand…
The U.S. Department of Labor in January 2024 finalized a new federal rule that will make it more difficult for employers to classify workers as independent contractors. The final rule formally rescinds the independent contractor rule issued by the DOL a few years ago and provides a different interpretation of how the key test of…
As health insurance and health care costs continue climbing, some employers are taking new and innovative steps to tamp down costs for themselves and their covered employees while not sacrificing the quality of care they receive. Some of the strategies require a proactive approach by engaging with their broker and insurer, and even local health…
A new rule by the Department of Labor requires firms with 100 or more employees in certain industries to electronically submit their OSHA Form 300 and 301 logs, starting in 2024. These are in addition to submission of Form 300A-Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. The new rule applies to businesses in 104 high-hazard industries…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has published a final rule aimed at improving how prior authorizations are handled by health insurers. The measure primarily limits the time insurers have to approve or deny requests. In addressing wait times for prior approvals, the CMS is targeting an issue that’s become a problem for some…
Announcing 2023 InterWest Insurance Services Distinguished Employee Winner! Amy Craig Administration, Facilities Supervisor Roseville, California Each year, InterWest recognizes employees who are identified by their co-workers as having demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their clients, workmates as well as their community. This partnership between work and giving back makes them stand out for…