Commentary about Trumpcare, health savings accounts and leave laws were among the most popular items this year.
EBN’s top 10 blogs of 2017
December 28, 2017 11:20 AM
EBN’s top blogs of 2017
For employers, the importance of industry insight is key to implementing strategic benefit offerings and helping to remain compliant with current regulatory policy. EBN published a number of pieces on topics that were top of mind for employers this year: from the latest on healthcare reform and the Trump administration to retirement readiness and leave policies during natural disasters.
The following blogs ranked highest in pageviews and still hold important information for employers to revisit going into the New Year.
The following blogs ranked highest in pageviews and still hold important information for employers to revisit going into the New Year.
J. Scott Applewhite/Bloomberg
1. 5 ways Trumpcare is likely to change employee benefits
Following Trump’s election, employers’ No. 1 question was how to position their benefits strategy under the new administration.
Author: Frenkel Benefits’ Craig Hasday
Excerpt: “Healthcare will continue to be driven through the employers. Cost pressures will continue to press forward the evolution of high-deductible plans, risk-based contracting and consumerism. The biggest challenge will be to facilitate these transitions.”
Author: Frenkel Benefits’ Craig Hasday
Excerpt: “Healthcare will continue to be driven through the employers. Cost pressures will continue to press forward the evolution of high-deductible plans, risk-based contracting and consumerism. The biggest challenge will be to facilitate these transitions.”
2. What employers need to tell employees about HSAs
When the proposed GOP ACA bill significantly expanding health savings accounts, it’s imperative that employees understand how HSAs work and why they’re important.
Author: Corporate Synergies’ Loretta Metzger
Excerpt: “To date, employees have largely viewed HSAs as a short-term savings solution — similar to a medical flexible spending account — that offsets medical expenses until they reach their deductible. Importantly, there are a number of differences between FSAs and HSAs, and employers should be sure to help employees understand those differences.”
Author: Corporate Synergies’ Loretta Metzger
Excerpt: “To date, employees have largely viewed HSAs as a short-term savings solution — similar to a medical flexible spending account — that offsets medical expenses until they reach their deductible. Importantly, there are a number of differences between FSAs and HSAs, and employers should be sure to help employees understand those differences.”
Jayme Gershen/Bloomberg
3. Are employees eligible for leave during a natural disaster?
The aftermath of several intense hurricanes this year raised questions about a company’s obligation to provide time off under laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act. One attorney details what employers need to know.
Author: Jeff Nowak of the law firm Franczek Radelet
Excerpt: “ … an employee would qualify for FMLA leave when, as a result of a natural disaster, the employee suffers a physical or mental illness or injury that meets the definition of a “serious health condition” and renders them unable to perform their job.”
Author: Jeff Nowak of the law firm Franczek Radelet
Excerpt: “ … an employee would qualify for FMLA leave when, as a result of a natural disaster, the employee suffers a physical or mental illness or injury that meets the definition of a “serious health condition” and renders them unable to perform their job.”
JulieanneBirch/Getty Images
4. What’s in store for workers’ comp under the Trump administration?
Amid uncertainty, all industry stakeholders can count on one thing: the momentum powering value-based care will continue unhindered.
Author: MDGuideline’s Joe Guerrierro
Excerpt: “As the industry waits for the dust to settle around coming changes, employee benefit and worker’s comp professionals can count on one thing: the momentum powering value-based care will continue unhindered.”
Author: MDGuideline’s Joe Guerrierro
Excerpt: “As the industry waits for the dust to settle around coming changes, employee benefit and worker’s comp professionals can count on one thing: the momentum powering value-based care will continue unhindered.”
Zach Gibson/Bloomberg
5. 5 ways the American Health Care Act benefits employers
While the Senate ultimately failed at passing any healthcare legislation, the House’s AHCA contained several proposals to help with compliance burdens and insurance expense that employers could still see at some point in the future.
Author: Consulting firm FirstPerson’s Katy Stowers
Excerpt: “Most of the discussions around the American Health Care Act rage around the more political aspects of the bill, but lost in much of the public debate is the potential impact of the proposed bill on employers — by far the largest source of providing healthcare coverage in the country.”
Author: Consulting firm FirstPerson’s Katy Stowers
Excerpt: “Most of the discussions around the American Health Care Act rage around the more political aspects of the bill, but lost in much of the public debate is the potential impact of the proposed bill on employers — by far the largest source of providing healthcare coverage in the country.”
6. Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures
An increase in audits and associated fines serve as a good reminder for employers to revisit training often to ensure compliance.
Author: Corporate Synergies’ Harrison Newman
Excerpt: “The increase in audits — combined with everything from changes in technology, the addition of a health and wellness program and concerns about hacking — serve as a good reminder why employers should revisit HIPAA training often to ensure compliance.”
Author: Corporate Synergies’ Harrison Newman
Excerpt: “The increase in audits — combined with everything from changes in technology, the addition of a health and wellness program and concerns about hacking — serve as a good reminder why employers should revisit HIPAA training often to ensure compliance.”
7. Do Roth 401(k)s have the edge over pre-tax 401(k)s?
Employees will have more money in retirement if they contribute to the right savings account .
Author: Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants’ Robert Lawton
Excerpt: “If you believe that tax rates will be higher in the future (and most tax experts do), it would be best to have your contributions taxed now at a lower rate rather than in the future at a higher rate when your balances are distributed. This line of thinking favors making all Roth 401(k) contributions.”
Author: Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants’ Robert Lawton
Excerpt: “If you believe that tax rates will be higher in the future (and most tax experts do), it would be best to have your contributions taxed now at a lower rate rather than in the future at a higher rate when your balances are distributed. This line of thinking favors making all Roth 401(k) contributions.”
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
8. Why the ACA replacement bill missed the mark for employers, employees
The American Health Care Act lacked focus on health priorities and sustainability.
Author: Vitality Group’s Francois Millard
Excerpt: But the devil is in the details, especially when it comes to how future funding will shape our country’s health. And one key, and often overlooked, aspect is one of the most telling signs of why the United States has such poor health relative to peer countries: the continued focus on healthcare rather than health.”
Author: Vitality Group’s Francois Millard
Excerpt: But the devil is in the details, especially when it comes to how future funding will shape our country’s health. And one key, and often overlooked, aspect is one of the most telling signs of why the United States has such poor health relative to peer countries: the continued focus on healthcare rather than health.”
9. Why employers should pair self-funding with voluntary benefits
By connecting the two, HR professionals add one-on-one employee communication to boost understanding and engagement and additional insurance options tailored to employees’ needs.
Author: Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions’ Dan Johnson and CareSource’s Steve Horvath
Excerpt: “Offering a self-funded plan with complementary voluntary benefit products and solutions allows employers to take advantage of multiple opportunities while, at the same time, provide more options for their employees.”
Author: Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions’ Dan Johnson and CareSource’s Steve Horvath
Excerpt: “Offering a self-funded plan with complementary voluntary benefit products and solutions allows employers to take advantage of multiple opportunities while, at the same time, provide more options for their employees.”
