EEOC Posts New Guidance on Visual Disabilities under the ADA
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued new guidance for employers to provide reasonable accommodations for visually impaired workers who request it. About 18.4% of all American adults have at least some difficulty with their vision, even when wearing corrective lenses,
Group Health Plan Affordability Level Cut Significantly for 2024
The IRS has significantly reduced the group plan affordability threshold — which is used to determine if an employer's lowest-premium health plan meets the Affordable Care Act rules — for 2024. The threshold for next year has been set at 8.39%
Report: Group Health Plan Cost Inflation to Pick Up Steam
A new report by Aon warns employers to expect average group health insurance costs to increase 8.5% in 2024, as inflation starts hitting the cost of delivering care as well as pharmaceuticals. The report predicts that employers will pay an average
Budgeting and Prepping for Open Enrollment
If you are running a business, you need to get an early start on preparations for your small group health plan open enrollment, particularly now as so much confusion abounds about the state of health insurance in the country. With recent
Handling Health Insurance for Remote Workers
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more employers are allowing their staff to work remotely on a permanent basis, often allowing them to never have to set foot in the office again. This newfound freedom for American workers has allowed many of them
SCOTUS Sets High Bar for Rejecting Religious Accommodation Requests
A recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court will make it more difficult for employers to deny employees' requests for religious accommodations in the workplace. The unanimous decision by the court in the case of Groff vs. DeJoy basically upends a standard
New Mental Health Parity Rules Would Expand Care
With mental health in the forefront as patients demand greater access to psychologists and psychiatrists, the Biden administration in July 2023 proposed new regulations aimed at requiring health insurers to expand their mental health coverage. The proposal aims to bring insurers
Budgeting and Prepping for Open Enrollment
If you are running a business, you need to get an early start on preparations for your small group health plan open enrollment, particularly now as so much confusion abounds about the state of health insurance in the country. With recent
Report: Accommodations for Disabled Employees Are Inexpensive
The Americans with Disabilities Act, now more than 30 years old, requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Many employers may be concerned about the cost of making those accommodations. However, a recent government study shows that
Employers Expect Higher Premiums, Little to No Cost-Shifting
Employers who were surveyed for a new report expected that group health insurance premiums would increase 5.4% this year and at a faster clip in 2024 as inflation hits medical costs. Employers said they are looking to manage growing group benefit