health
November 4, 2025
Marketplace Plans Opened Nov. 1, Premium Increases Expected
Starting Nov. 1, Americans can log on to HealthCare.gov and state-run exchanges, as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) open enrollment period began for 2026 coverage. This year’s enrollment window runs through Jan. 15, 2026, in most states, with some extending deadlines into late January. The average Marketplace premium after tax credits...
October 16, 2025
Small Business Health Plans Could See 11% Increase in 2026
Every year, health insurance companies inform state officials of their expected cost changes and propose new prices for plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act regulations. A report from KFF, an independent source for health policy research, focuses specifically on plans for small businesses, typically those with 50 or fewer employees. These plans can...
September 2, 2025
Combatting Tech Neck
While not an official medical diagnosis, “tech neck” has become a familiar phrase in today’s workplace. As smartphones, laptops and tablets have become everyday tools, people spend more time hunched over screens. The result is a growing number of individuals who spend hours per day behind screens reporting stiffness, discomfort and pain in their neck...
August 26, 2025
OSHA Urges Safe Trench and Excavation Work Practices
Construction projects involving trench and excavation operations present life-threatening risks to employees. Following a recent series of trench collapses in the Midwest, OSHA has issued a trade release urging workplaces to take the necessary steps to protect workers from trenching and excavation hazards. With 11 trench-related fatalities reported in 2025 so far, employers must recognize...
August 21, 2025
Preparing for Open Enrollment: Common Questions and Answers
As open enrollment season approaches, it’s never too early to start preparing so that you can make educated choices on benefits enrollment for the upcoming year. This annual window offers the opportunity to enroll in, change or update coverage options such as health insurance, dental plans, and voluntary benefits like life and disability insurance. The...
August 12, 2025
5 Tips to Prepare for Open Enrollment Early
Open enrollment is a critical time frame each year for employees to review, assess and modify their existing benefits or enroll in new ones. During open enrollment, employees can accept or decline employer-sponsored insurance, such as health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance and vision insurance, among other options. Open enrollment dates vary; however, for employer-sponsored...
August 7, 2025
Navigating Health Plan Notice Changes in 2025 and Beyond
Employers should be aware of updates to several model notices that can be used to comply with certain disclosure requirements for their group health plans under federal laws. Federal agencies provide these model notices to aid compliance and periodically update them to reflect changes to the law or the information contained in the notices. While...
July 21, 2025
Survey Finds One-third of Employers to Expand Voluntary Benefits by 2027
A recent survey from Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm, found that nearly one-third of employers are expected to expand voluntary benefit offerings by 2027. The survey demonstrates the significance of voluntary benefits in modern benefits packages, with over two-thirds (70%) saying they are driven to offer these perks to ensure...