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Unfortunately, some people who test positive for COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as “long COVID-19.” The effects of long COVID-19 can vary; individuals may experience mild symptoms or suffer near-debilitating health concerns. Long COVID-19 has impacted both employees and their employers. Specifically, some employees have not been able to work at…

On Sept. 23, 2022, the FMCSA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) and requested comments on whether it should amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to require every commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with electronic identification (ID). This electronic ID would be capable of wirelessly…

Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable to individuals eligible for Medicare Part D and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  Plan sponsors must provide the annual disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible individuals before Oct. 15, 2022—the start date of…

You have many choices when it comes to selecting a health insurance plan, which can make the process feel overwhelming. Keep reading to explore some of the major health plans and their key characteristics. Points of Differentiation Between Health Plans Whether you're required to have a primary care provider (PCP) Whether you're required to obtain…

Many employees are currently feeling financially strained because of inflation. With open enrollment fast approaching, inflation could impact the choices employees make when it comes to their benefits. Employees are likely considering which benefits matter the most and how to optimize the money they spend on those offerings. As a result, this year’s open enrollment…

On Aug. 24, 2022, the Biden-Harris administration announced a student debt relief plan that provides a one-time student loan debt cancellation targeted at low- and middle-income families. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) will provide up to $10,000 in debt relief for non-Pell Grant recipients and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients, according to…

On Aug. 31, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized updated COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that target the dominant BA.4 and highly contagious BA.5 coronavirus Omicron subvariants. Both modified vaccines still target the original coronavirus strain. The FDA authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech modified booster for people age 12 and older and the…

While repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) are common among athletes, these injuries can occur in the workplace. Also known as repetitive stress injuries or cumulative trauma disorders, RMIs impact a broad range of occupations, including jobs that require heavy lifting and stationary office roles. RMIs occur when continuous physical stress from daily tasks damages nerves, tendons…

A common misstep in attracting or recruiting talent is setting narrow restrictions on who to interview or where talent is sourced. Often, highly talented job candidates are overlooked due to inexperience. Employers have an opportunity to expand their recruiting reach by pursuing entry-level candidates at universities, colleges and trade schools, but it comes down to…

On Aug. 19, 2022, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) jointly released a final rule implementing the ban on surprise medical billing under the No Surprises Act (NSA), which was enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). This rule finalizes two interim final rules…