Employee Benefits Insights – Woodruff Sawyer

Compliance Alert: IRS Issues Affordability Percentage Adjustment for 2020

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Rev. Proc. 2019-29, which contains the inflation adjusted amounts for 2020 used to determine whether employer-sponsored coverage is "affordable" for purposes of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility provisions and premium tax credit program.

Compliance Alert: IRS Expands HSA Preventive Care Safe Harbor to Include Chronic Conditions

On July 17, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2019-45, which expands the definition of preventive care benefits that can be provided by a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to include certain chronic conditions. As guidance in the Notice may be relied upon immediately, this alert covers an overview of it and its projected impact on employers and plan participants.

Medicare: Are Your Employees Ready for Retirement?

Retirement issues will be on the forefront for years to come. Understanding how to make retirement and its unique issues part of your corporate culture is critical to understand now.

Compliance Alert: Executive Order Encourages Transparency in Pricing and Expanding Consumer-Directed Arrangements

On June 24, 2019, President Trump issued an Executive Order intending to develop price and quality transparency initiatives to ensure that healthcare patients can make well-informed decisions about their care.

Compliance Alert: Final Rule Released on Individual Coverage and Excepted Benefit HRAs

In this alert you will find background information and how the Departments' final rule concerning health reimbursement arrangements (HRA) for individual market coverage and excepted health benefits impacts you.

mHealth: The Evolution of Digital Healthcare

This Insight discusses mHealth, the combination of mobile technologies and healthcare. For employers, this technology is an opportunity for improving employees' overall health, though it can also be complicated to institute and maintain.

How Does the Cigna–Express Scripts Merger Affect Employers?

In December 2018, Cigna announced the completion of their $67 billion acquisition of Express Scripts, the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). This consolidation is just one of many mergers and acquisitions that is intended to reinvent the US Healthcare system, as noted in Cigna's press release about the merger. Find out how this impacts consumers and employers.

Compliance Alert: IRS Releases 2020 HSA Contribution Limits and HDHP Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limits

IRS Releases 2020 HSA Contribution Limits and HDHP Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limits. Find out what you need to know to stay compliant.

Compliance Alert: Reminder PCORI Fees Due By July 31, 2019

July 31, 2019 is the fee deadline for employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including HRAs. In this update you'll find background on the establishment of the PCORI, counting methods, and how fees are determined.

Corporate Wellness Programs: New Concept or Ancient Advice?

Wellness programs are seen as a way not only to improve the overall health of an organization, but also to lower costs and empower employees to improve their health. Learn about the evolution of the wellness program out of historical achievements from businesses like Kaiser, as well as future opportunities for expanding wellness programs to show an ROI.

Improving Employee Confidence with Financial Wellness Programs

Given today's heavy debt load, employees may not think retirement is possible and may need more than just long-term advice. Financial wellness can seem out of reach. Learn how a strategic financial wellness program can empower your employees to reach their goals.

International Benefits Update – Q2 2019

Europe is predominantly featured in Woodruff Sawyer’s 2nd Quarter International Benefits Update, with many changes to mandatory leave entitlements and pension programs.… More