A recent decision by a federal judge in Texas to issue an injunction on a pivotal part of the Affordable Care Act requiring insurers to offer certain types of free preventative care, has raised concerns that some health plans will stop paying for these services. However, since most employer-sponsored plans are on annual contracts, the…
With more and more California businesses being forced to go to the California FAIR Plan for their coverage, the market of last resort has moved to increase its commercial property coverage limits significantly. This should bring a semblance of relief to companies located in wildfire-prone areas, who have seen their commercial property insurance non-renewed and…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed new rules aimed at streamlining the prior approval process for most health plans in the U.S. Under the proposal, starting in 2026, insurers would be required to render a decision within seven days for a non-urgent service or item (compared to the current 14 days), and…
One of the biggest lawsuit threats U.S. businesses face is from their own employees. Any company with staff — be that one or 500 — can be sued, and even if the case never goes to court, it can create a significant burden for your business. While most cases are settled out of court, they…
Employers have often long struggled to boost participation in their wellness programs, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed that as people started looking for ways to better care for themselves both physically and emotionally. The pandemic added fuel to the country’s mental health crisis and more people than ever are seeking out counseling to cope with…
The National Labor Relations Board has taken a big step in deciding that non-disparagement and confidentiality clauses in employee severance agreements are illegal, a move that will require most employers to rewrite theirs. The board ruled that these provisions stifle employees’ and ex-employees’ rights under Title 7 of the National Labor Relations Act to discuss…
Large employers are unwavering in their plans to continue offering group health plans to their workers instead of funding individual reimbursement accounts that would allow them to shop for plans on government-run exchanges, according to new research. The poll of 26 health benefits decision-makers at large firms, carried out by The Commonwealth Fund and the…
Starting Jan. 1 of this year, heavy duty diesel trucks and buses built prior to 2010 and weighing more than 14,000 pounds are banned from operating in California. The new rule is part of phased-in California Air Resources Board regulations that aim to reduce emissions from diesel trucks and buses. But while the change is…
A bipartisan group of House legislators in February reintroduced legislation from 2022 that would pave the way for employer-sponsored, stand-alone telehealth benefits plans. The bill is important as the current law allowing health insurers to cover telehealth benefits sunsets at the end of 2024, which would be difficult for many patients and providers who have…
A U.S. court of appeals has struck down a landmark California law that prohibits employers from requiring their workers to sign agreements to arbitrate any disputes arising from their employment. The ruling clears the way for employers to continue using arbitration agreements without risking criminal liability that the law — AB 51 — calls for.…