How Your Employees Can Get Free COVID Test Kits
While COVID-19 cases start rising again, more people are once again likely to contract the coronavirus — and that usually involves getting tested. But for employees in your group health plan, they have many options for obtaining a test with
What You Need to Know About COVID Test Kit Rules for Group Health Plans
Starting Jan. 15, the nation’s health insurers have been required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home rapid COVID-19 tests per month for their health plan enrollees. Insurers are taking different approaches to the mandate and, as an employer,
Long-Haul COVID Can Be Covered Under ADA
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued guidance stating that employees suffering from "long COVID-19" may be protected under workplace disability discrimination statutes. The guidance states that someone suffering from impairments resulting from long-haul COVID-19 symptoms can be considered "disabled" under
Pandemic Fallout: Employers Boost Mental Health, Substance Abuse Benefits
The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on health insurance in the U.S., with many employers improving mental health and other benefits to help their workers during this trying period, according to a new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Despite
Dealing with COVID Vaccination Status Friction Points with Employees
The controversy over COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the workplace continues growing and human resources are sounding the alarm on how employers should approach the matter. While the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and impending OSHA regulations will provide some cover to employers
COVID-19 Home Test Kits Reimbursable under FSAs, HSAs
Under new guidance issued by the IRS, at-home COVID-19 testing kits will be considered a reimbursable medical expense under the three main health care savings vehicles offered to employees. This new guidance adds to the list of personal COVID-19-related expenses for
Coverage for Virtual Substance Abuse Treatment Grows
Thousands of American families have been affected by the tragedy of someone with a substance abuse problem. For many, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding available and affordable treatment has been difficult or impossible. Recently, however, virtual treatment options have become
Employers Mull Higher Health Plan Cost-Sharing for Unvaccinated Staff
Some employers are considering a new incentive for their workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19: Charging them higher health insurance premiums if they don't. A recent brief from consulting firm Mercer reported that employers are looking at surcharging the health insurance
Group Health Insurers Not Factoring In COVID-19 Effects in 2022 Pricing: Study
In a glimpse of what we may expect in terms of premiums, a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation has found that most insurers are not factoring in added costs or savings related to COVID-19 for their 2022 health
Pandemic Brings Voluntary Benefits to Fore
One major repercussion of the COVID-19 pandemic is that employees are embracing the voluntary benefits their employers are offering them, but they'd like to see more choices and issues such as mental health and voluntary benefits have risen to the