Health care expenses are expected to rise significantly in 2025, with projections indicating a 7%-8% increase. This aligns with similar trends in 2024, showcasing the cumulative impact of ongoing cost growth. Below are the primary drivers of these increases: Although these rising costs are inevitable, informed employers can proactively address these challenges. Reach out to…
The Great Gloom: A Growing Challenge The term “Great Gloom” may be new, but the decline in employee engagement is a longstanding issue. Recent data shows a significant drop in employee happiness; employee engagement in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade. Root Causes of the Great Gloom The…
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Despite its broad coverage, there’s a lot of confusion about what the law requires and what its terms entail. A big reason for this confusion is the language of the law itself; the ADA speaks of nebulous concepts like undue hardship…
For some, the lyrics “with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call, it’s the hap-happiest season of all” stirs happy memories of Christmas caroling. However, for others, the holidays can be one of the most stressful and isolating times of the year. The season often brings a whirlwind of demands—shopping,…
Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are adjusted for inflation. For 2025, most of these limits have increased. Key Benefit Limits for 2025: Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions HDHP Minimum Deductible Health FSA Dependent Care FSA Important Considerations for Employers Employers should ensure that their payroll systems are updated to reflect…
All too often, illness or injury appears out of the blue: You wake up in the middle of the night with intense abdominal pain. Or your baby spikes a high fever on the weekend. These situations are stressful and it’s hard to think when you’re under stress. But you need to decide where to go…
As the year comes to an end, a crucial compliance deadline looms for employers with health plans. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), health plans and insurance issuers must submit a Gag Clause Compliance Attestation by December 31, 2024. Since its enactment in 2020, this regulation prohibits health plans from including gag clauses—provisions that limit…
On October 22, 2024, the IRS announced that the limit on employees’ salary reduction contributions to a health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will increase to $3,3000 for plan years beginning in 2025. This is an increase from the 2024 limit of $3,200. By understanding the latest contribution limits, individuals can better plan for 2025 and…
Employee benefits can be a complex landscape, filled with acronyms and unfamiliar terms. In fact, more than 50% of American adults report that they don’t have a clear understanding of their health insurance. Many people are confused because they reach adulthood without ever learning the basics of health insurance terminology. Illiteracy about health insurance is…
In today’s diverse workplaces, effective communication across generations is essential for fostering collaboration, productivity, and a positive work environment. Understanding the unique communication preferences of each generation can help bridge the gap and create a more inclusive and harmonious workplace. Technology can play a crucial role in bridging the generational gap and facilitating seamless communication.…
