SEARCH

Showing 818 results found

EPIC Adds John Hennessy as Senior Principal

Addition Strengthens Employee Benefits Operations in West Region EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants announced today that John Hennessy has joined the firm as a senior principal in its Employee Benefits Practice. Hennessy brings more than 30 years of experience to his role with EPIC. He will focus on business development and client management by providing employee benefits consulting and strategy, including plan design and implementation, cost analysis and helping clients fulfill long-term goals for their employees and businesses. “We are excited to expand our Employee Benefits capabilities in the West Region with John’s expertise,” said EPIC West Region …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/epic-adds-john-hennessy-senior-principal/

2020 PBM Customer Satisfaction Report

Is Satisfaction Guaranteed?  Join EPIC for the Most Comprehensive Research on PBM Customer Satisfaction Hosted by our Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Specialists, PSG. Pharmaceutical Strategies Group (PSG) joined EPIC earlier this year, bringing to EPIC the expertise and resources of the nation’s largest independent pharmacy benefit consulting firm into the EPIC Employee Benefits Consulting practice. The PSG team is hosting a webinar May 25 to reveal an exclusive preview of the 2020 PBM Customer Satisfaction Report. Join Sharon Phares, PhD, MPH, Senior Vice President of Research and Data Innovation to unpack the results, which is the latest and most …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/pbm-customer-satisfaction-report/

Overcoming Mental Health Barriers in the Workplace

… it comes to employers overcoming some of these barriers, here’s what we can suggest: Don’t shy away from mental health – make it a priority Demonstrate to your employees that you care about their mental health – encourage open communication around it Listen to your employees’ needs Revisit/shift your benefits strategy and make the resources easily accessible Implement mental health employee and manager training Make mental health a part of your culture Be mindful of generation gaps and how different age groups prefer to access care Offer an integrated approach to your mental health benefits Get buy-in from …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/overcoming-mental-health-barriers-in-the-workplace/

New Mexico Latest State to Enact a Paid Sick Leave Law

… more employees at any one time, acting in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee. Under the HWA, the definition of employer does not include the United States, the state of, or any political subdivision of, New Mexico. Any covered employer must allow a covered New Mexico employee to accrue at least one hour of ESL for every 30 hours worked. A covered New Mexico employee means an individual employed to work in New Mexico by an employer, including an individual employed on a part-time, seasonal or temporary basis. The HWA entitles employees to use up …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/new-mexico-latest-state-to-enact-a-paid-sick-leave-law/

Special Compliance Alert: IRS Releases 2022 HSA & HDHP Limits

Quick Facts The IRS updates HSA and HDHP limits annually for inflation. On May 10, 2021, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2021-25 updating maximum HSA contribution limits, cost-sharing limits for HDHPs and the maximum amount that may be made available for an excepted benefit HRA in 2022. Overview The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Revenue Procedure 2021-25, which includes the 2022 inflation-adjusted amounts for health savings accounts (HSAs), high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). These limits include the maximum HSA contribution limit, the minimum deductible amount for HDHPs, the …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/special-compliance-alert-irs-releases-2022-hsa-hdhp-limits/

The American Rescue Plan’s Paid Leave Tax Credits

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) entitles certain employers to tax credits when eligible employers give their employees paid leave related to COVID-19 vaccinations. On April 21, 2021, the IRS issued a fact sheet FS-2021-09 explaining how small, midsize and certain governmental employers can claim the refundable tax credits. Employers with fewer than 500 employees are eligible for the refundable tax credits. The ARPA allows any business under the 500 employee threshold to claim the paid leave tax credits. The fact sheet explains that self-employed individuals, private companies, tax-exempt organizations and governmental employers are eligible …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/the-american-rescue-plans-paid-leave-tax-credits/

Urgent Care – Too Much of a Good Thing?

There was a time – not that long ago – when insurers, healthcare consultants and employers were trumpeting a new solution to replace costly emergency room (ER) visits… Urgent Care facilities. With average ER costs approaching $2,000 in many urban geographies, the burgeoning urgent care concept was all the rage. Steer members to these local, 24/7 providers – at those off-hours when members otherwise find themselves in the ER – providing a better experience for the member and a far lower cost to the plan. Viewpoints from Adam Okun Unfortunately, it is beginning to appear that urgent care has become too …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/urgent-care-too-much-of-a-good-thing/

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Antitrust Settlement Update

Quick Facts A recent Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust lawsuit resulted in a proposed settlement of $2.67 billion dollars. The final hearing on the settlement will be held on October 20, 2021. Multiple different damages classes including fully insured and self-funded plans are eligible to receive payment under the settlement. Individuals and plans who wish to seek payment must take action to file a claim or opt out to retain the right to sue. Introduction Many individuals and employers have recently received a postcard informing them of a proposed $2.67 billion settlement stemming from a 2012 class …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/blue-cross-blue-shield-bcbs-antitrust-settlement-update/