October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. During this month, the public and private sectors work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.
5 Common Cybersecurity Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
All organizations, regardless of their size or industry, are at risk of being targeted by cybercriminals. These malicious actors can conduct cyberattacks, leading to significant financial, operational and reputational damage that can be difficult or impossible to recover from. Fortunately, solid cyber hygiene practices can reduce the likelihood of data breaches and other cyber incidents from occurring, and many of these practices are relatively low-cost and easy to implement.
Group Health Premiums on the Rise: What Employers Need to Know
In 2025, rising group health premiums are becoming a central concern for employers. Carriers like UnitedHealth, Anthem, and CVS Health have issued projections showing significant cost increases—driven by escalating claims severity, specialty drug costs, and continued labor shortages across provider networks.
Making an Acquisition? Why the EMOD Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
When acquiring another company, there’s no shortage of factors to consider. From valuing physical assets to estimating potential synergies, the due diligence process can be complex. However, one critical element often overlooked is the EMOD.
The Hazards of Biofuels
As a fast-growing part of the energy sector, the biofuel industry has become an attractive place to work and invest. To protect your company in the biofuel industry, it is essential to recognize potential workplace hazards of biofuels and their production processes, and take steps to protect workers from harm. In addition to common workplace hazards such as walking and working surface hazards and electrical hazards, biofuels present three major types of hazards:
2026 Employer Mandate Update
In July 2025, the IRS released new guidance increasing both the affordability percentage and penalty amounts under the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate for the 2026 plan year. These changes will affect how Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) determine affordability and assess compliance risk moving into the next benefits cycle.
The Risks of Vacant Property
Theft, trespassing, fires or other losses are constant threats on vacant construction sites. Losses might include not only the value of damaged or stolen materials but also the liability of an individual being injured on the property and the loss of time if a crucial piece of equipment is damaged or stolen. The insurance risks and liabilities associated with vacant construction sites can be extensive. To ensure that you are adequately protected, it is important to know the risks you face. In addition to purchasing comprehensive insurance coverage, there are numerous preventive strategies you can adopt to maintain vacant properties in a way that reduces risk and liability.
New Compliance Rules Ahead: What the OBBB Means for Your Benefits Team
Signed into law by President Trump on July 4th, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) is already making waves in tax policy and Social Security headlines. But for employee benefits administrators, the bill quietly ushers in key updates that will reshape plan design, compliance, and employee communication in the months ahead.
Putting HR Technology to Work: How INSURICA Clients Gain an Edge with OutSail
Payroll errors that hit the general ledger, open-enrollment portals that freeze at midnight, new hires juggling four log-ins on day one - when HR technology falters, the ripple effects reach every corner of the organization. Yet most employers still rely on a patchwork of legacy systems chosen under deadline pressure.
Mental Health Parity Requirements are Still in Full Force—Even as New Federal Rules are Temporarily on Hold
In May 2025, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury announced a temporary pause in enforcement of the 2024 final rule under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), following a legal challenge brought by an employer coalition. This enforcement pause gives the agencies time to reexamine certain provisions and consider future revisions through the regulatory process.