New federal guidance announced Oct. 16, 2025, could make it easier for companies to add or expand fertility support for workers without having to fold it into their major medical plans. The guidance, a new set of FAQs issued by the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury, spells out how infertility benefits…
For businesses that suffer property damage, getting repairs or rebuilding completed on time and within budget is becoming an uphill battle. A mix of inflation, supply chain challenges leading to material shortages, a tight construction labor market and the inherent complexity of commercial construction have pushed costs higher and stretched timelines longer. This can leave…
A strong insurance agency depends on steady new business and high retention, but many producers lose momentum once their books reach a comfortable size. Some say they are too tied up managing existing clients to pursue meaningful growth. However, here’s the crux of that excuse: The producers who consistently bring in new accounts are…
A new survey from America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is raising alarms about widespread abuse of the federal Independent Dispute Resolution process set up under the No Surprises Act. According to the findings, nearly 40% of disputes filed through the system in 2024 (the year the law…
California employers have new compliance challenges because of a law that further broadens the circumstances under which employees can take protected paid and unpaid leave. AB 406, which took effect Oct. 1, 2025, expands on last year’s revisions to the state’s paid sick and safe time and crime-victim leave laws, adding new categories of protected…
Studies have found that nine out of 10 employees opt for the same benefits every year and that around a third of workers don’t fully understand the group health plan benefits they are enrolled for. Staying in the same plan year after year can be a waste of money if someone is in the wrong…
Starting Oct. 1, 2025, any California employer that uses artificial intelligence and other automated tools in recruiting, hiring, promotion and related human resources decisions will have to ensure that the tools don’t discriminate against protected classes. The new regulations, promulgated by California’s Civil Rights Department, cover any “automated decision system” (ADS) which the rules broadly…
As cancer rates rise among working adults, treatment has become one of the fastest-rising expenses in employer-sponsored health plans, according to a new survey. The survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) found that 86% of employers have seen their cancer care spending increase over the past year, with a median rise…
American workplaces are facing a growing civility crisis that is costing companies dearly. According to new research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), rudeness and discourteous behavior are costing U.S. businesses an estimated $2.1 billion every day in lost productivity, absenteeism and disengagement. The problem doesn’t stop at rudeness: a separate study shows…
With health insurance costs continuing to climb, many employers are finding that standard medical coverage alone doesn’t offer enough financial protection for their staff. Rising deductibles, higher out-of-pocket maximums and the soaring cost of care are pushing workers to look for other ways to fill the gaps. Employers can step in to meet that need…