Benefits Disconnect: Employees Want More Support, Better Communication
A new report finds that many employers believe they are doing a good job meeting workers' benefits needs, but employees often see things differently. The findings in Aflac's "Workforces Report" highlight growing gaps in communication, financial preparedness and access to benefits
Men’s Health at Work: How to Encourage Preventive Care
For many men, taking care of their health often falls behind work and family obligations. But new research suggests employers have an opportunity to change that and improve workforce health, productivity and engagement in the process. A recent eHealth survey of
Report: No Surprises Act Dispute Process Driving Costs for Planned Procedures
A new study has found that physicians and hospitals are winning payment disputes for planned procedures like surgeries handled through the No Surprises Act dispute resolution system with awards that are sometimes more than 100 times typical rates. These awards are
Proposed Rule Would Let Employers Offer Standalone Fertility Benefits
Employers may soon have a new way to help employees access fertility treatments without incorporating those benefits into their primary health plans. The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury have proposed regulations that would create a new
Offering Group Health Can Affect Workers’ Comp Costs
Employers who provide group health insurance and wellness programs to their employees tend to have lower overall workers' compensation costs. While the programs are separate, employees who have access to preventive care, chronic disease management and wellness resources are often healthier
How Employers Can Fight the High Cost of Diabetes
Diabetes is a devastating illness — and not just for those with the disease. Employers are also shouldering massive and increasing direct and indirect costs due to diabetes. Diabetes afflicts more than 11% of the adult population, including about 6.3% of
Lifestyle Spending Accounts Gain Traction as Employers Seek Flexible Benefits
As employers continue looking for ways to support a multigenerational workforce with diverse needs, lifestyle spending accounts are emerging as a popular addition to employee benefits programs. Originally viewed as an extension of wellness programs, LSAs are broader and more flexible.
Stop-Loss Insurers Increasingly ‘Lasering’ High-Cost Claimants
As million-dollar health insurance claims continue to surge, stop-loss insurers that provide excess coverage for self-insured employers are increasingly using a controversial underwriting tactic to limit coverage for high-cost claimants. The tactic, called "lasering," entails applying a higher deductible or exclusion
2027 HSA Contribution, HDHP Cost-Sharing Limits
The IRS has announced slightly higher health savings account contribution limits for 2027, with the limit increasing 2.3% for individual HSA plans. The IRS updates HSA contribution limits annually, along with minimum deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for high-deductible health plans. HSAs
Bill Would Require Health Plans to Count Online Drug Purchases Toward Deductibles
Workers are increasingly turning to direct-to-consumer online drug platforms like Amazon Pharmacy, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and the government-backed TrumpRx to buy prescription medications at prices sometimes far lower than what they would pay through their employer-sponsored health