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Category: Zywave
Benefits Buzz: CMS Excludes HRAs and Health FSAs from Medicare Part D Notices | Virginia Employee Benefits Agents
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a final rule that exempts account-based plans, such as health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and health flexible spending accounts (FSAs), from Medicare Part D disclosure requirements. The change applies to coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2027. As background, employers with group health plans that provide prescription drug … Continued
Midyear Compliance: Key Disclosure Deadlines for Group Health Plans | Virginia Employee Benefits Agents
As the calendar year progresses, employers that sponsor group health plans should take steps to stay ahead of key midyear compliance obligations. Federal reporting and disclosure requirements under laws such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the No Surprises Act must be addressed during the … Continued
Benefits and Me | VA Benefits Agency
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created a federally financed subsidy, known as the premium tax credit (PTC), to help eligible individuals and families with low to moderate incomes afford health insurance purchased through an Exchange. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress temporarily enhanced the PTC by eliminating the income cap for eligibility and increasing the subsidy … Continued
Compliance Recap November 2025 | VA Benefits Team
How Much Will Health Care Costs Rise in 2026? Health care costs have been growing at an alarming rate in recent years, and they’re not slowing down. As such, surveys project that health care costs in the United States are likely to increase by 6.5% to, in many cases, as much as over 10% in … Continued
Benefits and Me | Virginia Benefits Group
Tips to Save on Health Care Expenses Once again, healthcare costs are expected to rise this year. However, there are ways that you can reduce your spending. Consider these four tips: Brush up on your health plan knowledge. Knowing what your health plan does and doesn’t cover is critical for reducing your spending. Understanding terms … Continued
Benefits Buzz March 2025 | VA Employee Benefits Advisors
ERISA Fiduciary Breach Claims Dismissed in Prescription Drug Lawsuit On Jan. 24, 2025, a U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey dismissed two claims in a class-action lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson (J&J), which alleged that the company breached its fiduciary duties under ERISA by mismanaging its prescription drug benefits plan and … Continued
Benefits Insights: Key Drivers of 2025 Health Care Cost Increases | VA Employee Benefits Advisors
Health care costs are projected to increase substantially in 2025. Estimates show a similar growth in spending to 2024, marking multiple years of compounding costs. Specifically, health care costs in the United States are likely to increase by 7%-8% in 2025, according to the following data from multiple surveys: Large employers predicted their health care … Continued
Benefits Breakdown November 2024 | Virginia Benefits Advisors
Mercer Report Projects 5.8% Health Benefits Cost Increase in 2025 U.S. employers estimate health benefit costs will increase by 5.8% in 2025, according to Mercer’s 2024 National Survey of Employer-sponsored Health Plans. This would mark the third consecutive year that the total cost per employee rose more than 5%. The report attributed the higher costs to … Continued
Benefits Breakdown October 2024 | Virginia Benefits Team
Employers Project 8% Increase in Health Care Costs in 2025 A recent survey of employers by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) revealed that U.S. employers estimate a median 8% increase in health care costs for 2025. Catastrophic health claims and rising specialty prescription drug prices are driving the projected increase. According to … Continued