The California State Supreme Court will take up a case to decide whether an employer can be sued for liability when a worker contracts COVID-19 at work and then passes it on to a family member. The 9th U.S. District Court of Appeal asked that state’s high court clarify if California’s Workers’ Compensation Act bars…
The health care sector is not immune to the effects of spiking inflation, and the increasing cost of care is likely to spill over into health insurance — but it’s uncertain by how much. Mid-year is the time that health insurers start setting their pricing for the upcoming year, and they are currently locked in…
There are three measures progressing in the state Capitol that businesses should keep an eye on as they could have profound effects for them. The measures passed their houses of origin by the legislative deadline of May 27 and will now be heard in the other house. The bills, if they become law, will affect…
July 1 was the deadline for health plans to make public their in-network negotiated rates, out-of-network billed charges, and more. While health plans will be required to post this information, employers who sponsor their group health insurance for their employees will need to take steps to ensure that their plans comply with the law, if…
The United States Supreme Court has put a significant dent in California’s Private Attorneys General Act, which in recent years has resulted in a surge in legal actions against California employers by their workers. The law has been a huge thorn in the side of employers, who have been on the receiving end of litigation…
A significant share of overall workplace injuries occur during new employees’ first year on the job, according to a recent study. The report by Travelers Cos., Inc. found that over a five-year period, injuries to new employees accounted for 35% of all workplace injuries. These injuries resulted in more than 6 million lost workdays, accounting…
A new study has found that many people in employer-sponsored health plans are enrolling in plans that are costing them more than they ought to be paying. Many employees choose pricey plans with low deductibles, which force them to spend more up front on premiums to save just a few hundred dollars on their deductible.…
As we approach mid-year there are about a dozen cities and counties in the Golden State that will be increasing their minimum wage for employers that operate within their jurisdictions. The state minimum wage is currently $15 an hour for employers with 26 or more workers, and $14 an hour for all other smaller employers,…
As climate change continues to create more turbulent weather and natural catastrophes, commercial property insurance rates are still climbing — and the recent surge in inflation is adding fuel to the cost of coverage. While overall commercial property rates increased about 10% on average in 2021, rates surged between 25% and 40% in areas prone…
More employers are including narrow provider network insurance plans among their plan offerings to their employees to give them a lower-cost premium option. Narrow provider networks limit the number of covered providers included in health insurance plans. While these plans have been mainstays on Affordable Care Act marketplaces, employers have been slow to adopt them.…