Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable. Plan sponsors must provide the annual disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible individuals before Oct. 15, 2022—the…
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is important to an individual’s overall health. Being overweight can lead to serious health problems, affecting both the employee’s well-being and your company’s health care costs. Activities and Programs for Encouraging Healthy Weight Weight loss is typically achieved through the proper balance of exercise and proper nutrition, as well…
Amid the rising cost of health care and current labor challenges, employers are increasingly investing in employee health and well-being as an essential part of their workforce strategy. Many organizations see a strong connection between employee health and well-being and their overall business performance. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that…
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…
The average health benefit cost per U.S. employee is expected to increase by 5.6% in 2023, according to early results from Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-sponsored Health Plans 2022. This is significantly higher than the 4.4% projected increase for 2022 but is still lower than overall inflation. The expected 5.6% increase accounts for changes employers…
Not only is your physical health affected when you don’t get enough sleep, but it also takes a toll on your mental health. In fact, mental health and sleep are so closely related that a lack of sleep can often lead to issues such as anxiety or depression. Unfortunately, studies consistently show that Americans struggle…
On Aug. 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new COVID-19 community guidance that ends or eases several key recommendations, including social distancing and quarantine. This change shows how much has changed since the pandemic began more than two years ago. The agency stated that nearly the entire U.S. population has some…
The United States recently declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency (PHE). The announcement came during a briefing with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The U.S. has confirmed more than 6,600 cases of monkeypox in 48 states. The PHE declaration by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is intended to help mobilize more resources to…
Living with a chronic illness can be draining, both physically and mentally. As such, people who live with a chronic illness are at a higher risk of developing a mental health condition. Likewise, mental health symptoms can cause a flare-up or worsen if you have a chronic health condition. This article explores the connection between…
August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month to promote the importance of immunizations at all life stages. That makes this the perfect time to learn more about the importance of vaccines. Delaying critical vaccinations can lead to serious health risks not only for the unvaccinated but also for those they come into contact with,…