Large employers are unwavering in their plans to continue offering group health plans to their workers instead of funding individual reimbursement accounts that would allow them to shop for plans on government-run exchanges, according to new research. The poll of 26 health benefits decision-makers at large firms, carried out by The Commonwealth Fund and the…
Starting Jan. 1 of this year, heavy duty diesel trucks and buses built prior to 2010 and weighing more than 14,000 pounds are banned from operating in California. The new rule is part of phased-in California Air Resources Board regulations that aim to reduce emissions from diesel trucks and buses. But while the change is…
A bipartisan group of House legislators in February reintroduced legislation from 2022 that would pave the way for employer-sponsored, stand-alone telehealth benefits plans. The bill is important as the current law allowing health insurers to cover telehealth benefits sunsets at the end of 2024, which would be difficult for many patients and providers who have…
A U.S. court of appeals has struck down a landmark California law that prohibits employers from requiring their workers to sign agreements to arbitrate any disputes arising from their employment. The ruling clears the way for employers to continue using arbitration agreements without risking criminal liability that the law — AB 51 — calls for.…
A new study has found that individuals enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are more engaged than their traditional plan counterparts during open enrollment, spending more time on choosing plans and using employer-provided tools to help them make their choices. Despite their higher engagement though, overall, 72% of group health plan enrollees spent less than…
A new state law that allows for digital license plates to be installed on vehicles in California, may have created a privacy nightmare for employers. The Motor Vehicle Digital Number Plates Act, which took effect Jan. 1, enables fleet and commercial vehicle owners to purchase and install digital license plates and soon-to-be-approved alternative devices for…
In the continuing quest to reduce health care costs and make care more accessible, a new type of health plan has been taking shape: The virtual-first health plan. These rapidly evolving plans integrate virtual care delivery models into a comprehensive health plan that encourages enrollees to access virtual care with their doctors before resorting to…
As businesses use more and more devices in their operations, their vulnerability to cyber attacks increases exponentially. Some employees may have a work smartphone, a laptop for the road and a desktop unit for when they work in the office. And there may be other systems and assets that are connected to the company network…
The key to getting the biggest bang for your buck in your wellness program is to focus on a few tried and tested offerings that studies have found result in better health for employees and reductions in your overall health care insurance costs. If you use a scattershot approach, the returns may not be as…
Cal/OSHA is in the process of updating its regulations on first aid kit requirements, an effort that’s stirred up controversy over some of the proposed elements of the standard. According to a report by the trade publication Cal-OSHA Reporter, one of the most controversial parts of the proposal is that a doctor or other licensed…