Skip to main content

SEARCH

Showing 647 results found

Ukraine Russia Situation Updates

… employers to closely watch the situation on the ground and monitor the location of any employees who are assigned to or working in the affected region. Proactively managing employees is the best course of action to ensure that they are aware of support systems in place. Many employers have global employee assistance programs (EAPs) in place on a standalone basis or through their international/expatriate medical programs. These programs provide important services and counseling for overseas employees. Most EAPs include mental health support, for employees and family members who are struggling during these challenging times. Several global EAP providers are …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/ukraine-russia-situation-updates/

Battle Lines Are Being Drawn on the No Surprises Act

The No Surprises Act was signed into law in the final days of the Trump administration and went into effect on January 1, 2022. Millions of consumers faced exorbitant healthcare billings, of which they had no knowledge or control, and insurance carriers had little power to regulate abusive billing practices. Hitting close to home, I just discovered one of my clients got a $500,000 air ambulance bill. And the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that several studies found one in five emergency room visits and 9% to 16% of in-network hospitalizations included surprise bills. In these instances, the law …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/viewpoints-no-surprises-act/

Derek Poirier Joins EPIC

Poirier Strengthens West Region’s Employee Benefits Operations We are pleased to announce that Derek Poirier has joined the firm as Senior Principal. In his new position with EPIC, Poirier is responsible for new business development, and the design, placement, and management of employee benefits insurance programs and solutions for mid-market and large clients. Reporting to Matt Clemo, Executive Managing Principal and Southern California Employee Benefits leader, he will be based in the firm’s Newport Beach office. “We are happy to have Derek join our rapidly growing Orange County practice,” noted Clemo. “His vast experience and industry expertise …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/derek-poirier-joins-epic/

EPIC Welcomes Juliet Lucero

Lucero joins as Director of California Charter School Practice In her new position with EPIC, Lucero will work hand in hand with schools to identify the benefits strategies that will meet both short-term and long-term goals, while establishing fiscally responsible programs that address the evolving needs of school employees. Reporting to Matt Clemo, Executive Managing Principal and Southern California Employee Benefits leader, she will be based in the firm’s Newport Beach office. “We are pleased to welcome Juliet to the team,” noted Clemo. “Her hands-on Charter School experience will contribute to the provision of best-in …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/epic-welcomes-juliet-lucero/

Alex Jerez Joins EPIC

Jerez Joins as Director, Northeast Charter School Practice In his new position with EPIC, Jerez will work hand in hand with schools to develop plans and programs that protect schools and their most valuable assets. His focus will be creating strategies that provide coverage for school property, children, teachers, course of construction, and active assailant threats. Reporting to Joffrey Clark, Charter School Practice Leader, he will be based in the firm’s Melville, New York office. “We are pleased to welcome Alex to the team,” noted Clark. “His hands-on Charter School experience will contribute to the provision of best …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/alex-jerez-joins-epic/

EPIC Adds Cori Simpson

… a track record of leveraging data analytics to develop benefits strategies that achieve business imperatives and improve her clients’ population health and productivity. Cori brings a unique perspective to her consulting role: Cori has led consulting engagements with Fortune 100 clients encompassing human resources strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and broad benefits strategy including health and welfare, financial security and work/life issues. Cori held several positions focusing on strategies to optimize the balance between controlling company costs and providing the optimal compensation and benefits value to employees. During her time in the carrier business, Cori’s work achieved high service …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/epic-adds-cori-simpson/

Is the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company the Answer to Rising Drug Costs?

Mark Cuban, of Shark Tank and Dallas Mavericks ownership fame, is the most recent entry into the “squeeze-the-margin-out-of-pharmacy” game. In October he launched The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC), a pharmacy benefit manager. This month the online pharmacy launched with a promise of only a 15% flat margin and pharmacist fee on 100 generic drugs. Cuban isn’t the first billionaire to try to solve the challenges of drug pricing. Amazon acquired PillPack in 2018 and announced its entry into retail pharmacy. Long before that, Walmart launched a $4 generic drug price in …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/mark-cuban-cost-plus-drug-company-rising-drug-costs/

DOL Provides Q&As for CAA Broker Compensation Disclosure Requirements

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), signed into law on December 27, 2020, included a requirement that starting December 27, 2021, brokers and consultants supplying services to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) group health plans disclose to plan fiduciaries (typically the plan sponsor), in writing, direct and indirect compensation they receive for providing services to such plans. This disclosure requirement was effective for “contracts or arrangements entered into, extended, or renewed on or after December 27, 2021.” See our Compliance Insights article, “Employee Benefits Broker Compensation Disclosure Requirements Are Coming Soon,” for more information. On Thursday, December 30, 2021, the …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/dol-provides-qas-caa-broker-compensation-disclosure-requirements/