Category: Articles

  • How Artificial Intelligence is Improving Ben Admin Technology Platforms

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    Benefits administration (ben admin) technology platforms are often miscategorized as merely “enrollment systems.” As a result, the innovation focus has primarily been on the employee annual enrollment experience. But now, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), ben admin technology providers are bringing year-round value and efficiency to both HR administrators and their employees. System Configuration and…

  • A Cautionary Tale: Version Control and Benefit Guides

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    While companies are increasingly adopting microsites, apps, HRIS systems, and other technologies to communicate their plans to employees, the benefits guide remains a common practice for organizations to showcase their insurance options and rewards or to use as a recruitment tool.   But there’s a common dilemma when it comes to benefits guides—one I often…

  • Are Chronic Conditions Driving Up Your Workers’ Comp Spend?

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    There is a direct correlation between employee well-being and workplace safety. Healthier employees tend to be safer, leading to fewer on-the-job accidents. However, the presence of chronic and often co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, arthritis, asthma, hypertension, depression, and anxiety, can impact employees’ ability to perform their jobs safely and add significant complexity to…

  • Compliance Q&A: Best Practices for Level-Funded Plan Compliance

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    Question We are considering moving from a fully-insured to a level-funded group health plan. What should we be thinking about from a compliance perspective? Summary Often considered a hybrid approach, level-funded plans provide the stability of fixed premiums (similar to fully-insured plans) along with the ability to share in a degree of cost savings (a…

  • How AI Is Helping Protect Environmental Risk

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    Environmental risks are uniquely complex. From remediation to brownfield development, underground storage tanks, and indoor air quality claims, no two projects—or policies—are the same. Whether you’re a contractor working with hazardous materials, a developer investing in contaminated land, or a company acquiring a business with legacy exposure, an insurance program must respond to specific, high-consequence…

  • Nuclear Verdicts Have Changed the Legal Landscape – What Fleets Must Do Differently

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    For years, nuclear verdicts — jury awards exceeding $10 million — have loomed large over the transportation industry. Once considered outliers, these catastrophic losses are now an entrenched part of the legal landscape. What began as merely emotionally charged jury decisions has morphed into a sophisticated legal strategy, engineered by plaintiff attorneys who treat litigation…

  • Compliance Q&A: Accidental MEWA

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    Question Our company (Company A) is a closely owned family business and there is a related company (Company B) that has somewhat similar ownership. Company A is owned by four brothers, W, X, Y and Z, and each owns 25% of the common stock. Company B is owned by the same four brothers (10% ownership…

  • New Simplified Rules for Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage—What HR Professionals Need to Know in 2025

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    A New Era of Simplicity for Creditable Coverage Notices In the first and second quarters of 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized changes to how employer-sponsored group health plans determine if their prescription drug coverage is “creditable” for Medicare Part D purposes. For HR professionals, this marks a shift to simplified…

  • Compliance Q&A: Rehire Rules After the Affordable Care Act

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    Question My company is an Applicable Large Employer using the look-back measurement method to determine full-time status of our employees. One of our full-time employees left the company to pursue another career. Four months later, he returned to the company as a part-time employee. Do I need to offer him health insurance coverage? Summary In…

  • Compliance Q&A: High-Cost Claimants: ADA, ACA, HIPAA and ERISA

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    Question We are examining various health coverage and plan design options in order to save money. One employee, a hemophiliac, has experienced high claims and requires expensive, ongoing treatment. Our reinsurance carrier has imposed a laser at $500,000 for this employee, which is a significant financial burden. May we offer this high-cost claimant cash to…