INSURICA Employee Benefits Insights
Keeping you ahead of the risks and challenges unique to your industry.
December 2022
IN THIS ISSUE
“According to David Jordan, president and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, 11% of Americans used telemedicine before the pandemic. In May 2021, that figure had increased to 38%, based on data from the American Psychiatric Association.
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Q4 2022 Essentials for Plan Sponsors
Here are some key factors and deadlines to keep in mind for Q4 2022: The RxDC reporting requirement requires employers to submit prescription drug data to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Labor (DOL). The deadline is December 27, 2022. Some of the required information includes:
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Access to Telemedicine Diminishes
Telemedicine saw a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it allowed for social distancing and reduced the risk of infection spread. According to David Jordan, president and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, 11% of Americans used telemedicine before the pandemic. In May 2021, that figure had increased to 38%, based on data from the American Psychiatric Association.
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Five Critical Issues for Employers Reporting 2023 ACA Compliance
According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), applicable large employers (ALEs) are obligated to offer full-time employees and dependents affordable minimum essential health coverage. They must also report to the IRS information about the health coverage plans they offer. Here are five critical issues employers should remember to ensure they are in compliance with the ACA reporting rules for 2023:
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Businesses Expand Employee Benefits Offerings to Attract and Retain Top Talent
In today’s competitive labor market, offering traditional benefits like healthcare is no longer enough to attract and retain top talent. Business leaders should consider expanding their definition of employee benefits to meet the unique needs of their workforce. By providing a diverse range of benefits, companies can boost morale, increase job satisfaction, and improve retention rates.
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Online Tools Help Employees Make Better Benefits Choices, Boost Engagement
The traditional enrollment process for employee benefits, which often involved filling out paper forms and waiting for them to be processed, has shifted towards an online platform. Employers are now seeking ways to improve this experience by incorporating decision-support tools.
Related Articles
Fiduciary Responsibilities for Employer Health Plans: What Employers Should Know Now
When employers think about fiduciary responsibility, retirement plans often come to mind first. But recent developments make it clear that fiduciary duties also matter—sometimes significantly—when it comes to employer-sponsored health and welfare plans.
The New Era of Mental Health Parity Enforcement in 2026
Federal agencies have made mental health parity enforcement a top priority in 2026, and employers sponsoring group health plans are feeling the impact. Regulators are no longer satisfied with high‑level assurances that plans comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). Instead, they expect detailed, data‑driven documentation showing that mental health and substance‑use‑disorder benefits are truly comparable to medical and surgical benefits. This includes not only the written plan design but also how rules are applied in real‑world scenarios.
The 2026 Specialty Drug Surge: What Employers Need to Prepare For
Specialty drugs have been a major cost driver for years, but 2026 marks a significant shift in both scale and urgency. With GLP 1 medications expanding into new indications, gene therapies entering the market at record pace, and oncology drugs continuing to rise in both cost and utilization, specialty medications are projected to account for more than 60% of total pharmacy spending this year. That’s a dramatic change for employers, especially considering that specialty drugs represent fewer than 5% of total prescriptions.