News Brief: White House Announces Results of Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
On Aug. 15, the Biden administration announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reachedagreements with top drugmakers to lower prices for the first 10 drugs subject to Medicare price negotiations. After months of negotiation beginning last October, the agreed-upon drug discounts range between 38% and 79%. The new pricing for Medicare Part D enrollees goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
The Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker found that 3.4 million employees, in addition to Medicare recipients, used at least 1 of the 10 newly negotiated drugs.
Legal Update: Increased Civil Penalty Amounts for SBC, MSP, HIPAA Violations
On Aug. 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a
final rule increasing key penalties affecting group health plans. HHS adjusts these penalty amounts for inflation each year to improve their effectiveness and maintain their deterrent effect. Because these penalties are substantial, employers with group health plans should periodically review their benefit plan administration protocols to ensure full compliance.
Think Well, Be Well: Mental Health Benefits of Outdoor Activities
While planning outdoor activities to improve your mental health may sound simple, the hustle and bustle of daily life can make it difficult to budget time for nature walks and similar outings. However, finding the time is crucial, as the simple act of stepping outside can have profound mental health benefits..
Outdoor activities contribute to our overall health, which in turn positively impacts our mental well-being. One study found that people who spent at least 120 minutes per week in natural environments reported a significant boost in health and well-being.
News Brief: Job Openings Dropped Slightly in June
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its June Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary. The report revealed that there were 8.18 million job openings in June, a decrease from 8.23 million in May. This is a total decrease of 941,000 over the year. The job openings rate held at 4.9% in June.
“Labor demand remains concentrated in just a few industries,workers are hunkering down and feeling less confident about job availability, and businesses are more reluctant to bring on new hires.”
–Wells Fargo economists Sarah House and Aubrey George
HR Brief – OSHA Proposes Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard (August)
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced an unofficial version of the proposed standard to protect workers from heat injury and illness. If finalized, the new standard would apply to all employers conducting indoor and outdoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agricultural sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction, subject to limited exceptions. According to OSHA, the proposed rule would apply to approximately 36 million workers.
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
