Top stories of 2015
December 18, 2015 11:35 AM
Throughout 2015, some major headlines have been made from challenges to the Affordable Care Act to some drastic proposed changed in the retirement field these are some of the top news stories to revisit going into the New Year.
[Image credit: Fotolia]
[Image credit: Fotolia]
10. EEOC proposed wellness regs: What employers need to know
The proposed regulations provide guidance on the extent to which employers may use incentives to encourage employee participation in wellness programs that include disability-related questions and/or medical examinations.
Read here: EEOC proposed wellness regs: What employers need to know.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
9. Wellness programs impossible to grasp'
Benefits decision-makers continue to struggle with the notion of financially justifying their wellness dollars, as wellness ROI is still exceptionally elusive.
Read here: Wellness programs impossible to grasp'.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
8. Aetna, Humana merger offers potential positives and negatives for employers
Consolidation in the health insurance industry holds both positives and negatives for employer-sponsored health plans, but employers shouldnt expect to see any major savings resulting from the Aetna-Humana merger until at least 2017, say industry experts.
Read here: Aetna, Humana merger offers potential positives and negatives for employers.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
7. The pros and cons of unlimited PTO
An emerging company policy known as unlimited vacation or unlimited PTO (paid time-off) is gaining headlines again. What is unlimited vacation? Why are companies implementing it? And what are its pros and cons?
Read here: The pros and cons of unlimited PTO.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
6. Progressive companies take fresh look at what wellness really means
Wellness programs focused on biometric screenings and health risk assessments remain popular but are slowly giving way to more nontraditional wellness benefits such as paid time-off, parenting classes, leadership training and communication and community volunteer projects.
Read here: Progressive companies take fresh look at what wellness really means.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
5. Embedded out-of-pocket health plan limits required for 2016
The federal government has erased any residual doubt about how out-of-pocket limits set by the Affordable Care Act will govern family members covered under a group plan.
Read here: Embedded out-of-pocket health plan limits required for 2016.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
4. SCOTUS upholds subsidies, industry shifts attention to other ACA fixes
A 6-3 decision in favor of the HHS secretary in King v. Burwell means tax credits can continue to be used to purchase health coverage in states using the federal exchange.
Read here: SCOTUS upholds subsidies, industry shifts attention to other ACA fixes.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
3. A checklist of 2015 contribution limits
Stay current with this checklist of 2015 contribution limits for retirement and health care benefit plans.
Read here: A checklist of 2015 contribution limits.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
2. The silver lining in 401(k) Supreme Court decision
The recent Supreme Court decision in Tibble v. Edison, though largely favorable to plaintiffs, does contain one silver lining for plan sponsors.
Read here: The silver lining in 401(k) Supreme Court decision.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
1. Marriage ruling streamlines benefits administration
The June 26 landmark ruling on gay marriage poses both challenges and benefits to employers.
Read here: Marriage ruling streamlines benefits administration.
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[Image credit: Fotolia]
