New Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules that take effect Jan. 1, 2025 will significantly affect employees’ decisions on whether to continue staying with your group health plan while eligible for Medicare. Under changes in Medicare Part D drug plan rules for 2025, once a beneficiary pays more than $2,000 out of pocket for…
Cal/OSHA is working on new rules that would crack down and step up enforcement and penalties against California employers that commit “egregious” and “enterprise-wide” workplace safety violations. The forthcoming rules would impose substantial penalties on companies that have shown a disregard towards California workplace safety regulations and the wellbeing of their employees. Employers that are…
Announcing 2023 InterWest Insurance Services Distinguished Employee Winner! Sara Foster Alternative Markets, Business Unit Coordinator Roseville 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 their…
As health insurance costs are rising at their fastest level in nearly 20 years, it’s important to have a clear idea of which metrics to track to ensure you’re seeing a good return on investment and that your employees are satisfied with their health plan. Having the right metrics can also aid in negotiating better…
Businesses with a web presence, particularly those that are consumer-facing, are increasingly being sued over website accessibility issues that prevent disabled individuals from using a website. While the number of such cases has been growing, 2,281 website accessibility lawsuits were filed in 2023, down from 2,387 the prior year and 2,352 in 2021, according to…
Voluntary group life insurance is offered to employees as an optional benefit, and often employers will pay the small premium as an employee retention tool and to provide workers some peace of mind for their families. There are various avenues for funding these group plans, and different underwriting criteria that can either reduce or increase…
Even while cyberattacks increase, the cost of cyber insurance has been dropping thanks to businesses implementing better controls to thwart such activity and reduce their losses if they become victims of a malicious attack, according to a new report. Rates fell an average of 17% last year after surging in 2021 and 2022 as the…
As prescription drug costs continue growing and pricey new pharmaceuticals add to health plans’ cost burdens, some carriers are starting to reduce the number of medications they’ll cover and are imposing new barriers to accessing the most expensive ones. According to a new study by GoodRx, a website that helps people find discounts and rebates…
A new study predicts that group health insurance costs will jump 8% in 2025, on par with what American employers have experienced this year and in 2023. The higher rates reflect the costs borne by health insurers, which are seeing more claims for care that was postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic and a steady rise…
The size of jury awards has been exploding in the last few years, and they are often exceeding the limits that businesses have on their liability policies, which could leave them paying out of pocket. Besides creating problems for those businesses, it could also be problematic for their insurance brokers if they are accused of…