As they wrestle with providing attractive but affordable health care benefits for employees, employers are trying a variety of strategies. A recent report from insurance brokerage Gallagher shows businesses are balancing workers’ physical and emotional health against ever-rising costs. There are many cost drivers in health care and insurers and employers are in a fine…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued new guidance for preventing harassment on construction industry worksites. The guidance, while not binding, can be used as a template for construction firms to implement anti-harassment policies. According to the EEOC, the industry has an especially high incidence of harassment complaints, and “some of the most egregious incidents…
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…
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…