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De Minimis Wellness Incentives – Why Wait?

Our clients have been asking us for recommendations for no- and low-cost incentives for their wellness programs for years, and now the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has come out with proposed guidance for these wellness incentives, suggesting a significant shift for many wellness programs to de minimis incentives only. The alert addresses what type of incentives can be offered without violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), stating that “allowing too high of an incentive would make employees feel coerced to disclose protected medical information to receive a reward or avoid …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/de-minimis-wellness-incentives-why-wait/

Rising Hospital Costs – One Reason for the Public Option

Americans are getting frustrated with the high cost of healthcare and the private sector isn’t reducing costs quickly enough. This week, Senators Michael Bennet (Democrat, CO) and Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) introduced their version of a public option, which would permit Americans to buy into a Medicare-like option of health insurance. The public option has been advocated by President Biden in his plan for reducing healthcare costs. One of the abuses that this would solve is the excessive charges from hospital systems, which would be reimbursed pursuant to the government-established payment rate. Viewpoints from Craig Hasday A …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/rising-hospital-costs-one-reason-for-the-public-option/

Q&A from our COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar with CVS Caremark

What is the anticipated timeframe for needing a booster shot? The need for and timing of booster doses for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has not been established. No additional doses beyond the two-dose primary series are recommended at this time.  Will boosters need to be consistent with whichever initial vaccine (e.g., If you get the Moderna initial vaccine, would I need to get a Moderna booster or would any booster work?) The need for and timing of booster doses for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has not been established. No additional doses beyond the two-dose primary series are …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/vaccine-qa-with-cvs/

Webinar Recording Now Available: What Employers Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines Part 2

Webinar Recording Now Available!  Part Two in our COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar Series In this webinar, moderated by EPIC Pharmacy Practice Leader Bob Eisendrath, Sree Chaguturu, M.D., Senior Vice President, CVS Health and Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark, we answer medical questions about the vaccine. EPIC Senior Wellness Consultant, Craig Schmidt, also presents best practices for keeping the workplace safe. Dr. Chaguturu Discusses: Vaccine pipeline updates Clinical updates (variants and efficacy) Frequently asked clinical questions The Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccination plan How distribution works How CVS is planning to support employers through vaccination roll-out PLAY RECORDING …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/what-employers-need-to-know-about-covid-19-vaccines-part-2/

Why Employers Should Map Their COVID-19 Strategies Now

… and Prevention (CDC) guidelines – even after a vaccine is received – you may still be susceptible to the disease and be an asymptomatic carrier. So, it is important to follow mask, social distancing and handwashing guidelines until advised otherwise. This might be until a substantial number of Americans are vaccinated and the disease spread abates significantly. Third, because of accommodations and other regulatory concerns, it may be difficult for an employer to mandate their employees to be vaccinated unless vaccination is critical to job performance. However, most employers are likely to communicate the benefits of vaccination and encourage their workforce to

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/employers-should-map-their-covid-19-strategies-now/

Engaging Generation Z in the Workplace

I’m trying very hard to stay cool, which is becoming increasingly difficult as I approach forty. Eventually, I’ll give in and realize that, as the man says, “time is undefeated,” and stop trying. But when I look to Generation Z, those born between 1990 and 1999, I get a glimmer of hope. Viewpoints from Bob Simpson But first, here’s a sobering thought for those of you around my age – Generation Z makes up about twenty percent of the current workforce. The kids are taking over. Like you, I envision Gen Zers tweeting during board meetings, taking Instagram …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/engaging-generation-z-in-the-workplace/

Healthcare Change May Come from Laws Passed in Final Days of Trump Administration

… which includes the No Surprises Act. The provisions of these laws dovetail with President Biden’s agenda. The laws make significant inroads on cost transparency and the elimination of surprise billings. The No Surprises Act requires that beginning January 1, 2022 consumers can receive a good faith Advanced Explanation of Benefits before healthcare is delivered. They will also be protected against surprise billing from an out-of-network provider in conjunction with an in-network stay unless there is advance consent, which is allowed only in non-emergency situations. For the consumer, liability is limited to the plan’s in …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/healthcare-change-may-come-from-laws-passed-in-final-days-of-trump-administration/

Claims Surpluses Hold Through 2020

With December now in the rearview mirror, we finally have a complete picture of our clients’ 2020 plan year costs and the results have been VERY favorable. Taking a high-level review of tens of thousands of members’ claims, the total plan year costs for our Northeast clients ran about 10% under the budgeted rates for the year – more favorable than anticipated at the beginning of the pandemic. Viewpoints from Adam Okun While it was clear Q2 plan costs were heavily suppressed due to the wholesale shutdown of the healthcare delivery system as it focused nearly exclusively on COVID-19 …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/claims-surpluses-hold-through-2020/