In order to maximize the plans fiduciary responsibilities, a contract with appropriate terms and definitions must be in place to allow the plan to exercise their right to carve-out prior authorization.

Around 63% of workers say their company could do more to support their emotional and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within this group, 22% said their company’s response was “barely adequate,” “a disaster” or “non-existent.”

“As that complexity has grown, it was important for us to make sure that we continue to invest in capabilities that are going to be the necessities that employers are looking for,” says Voya executive Lou Strippy.

Instead of choosing a one-size-fits-all plan for a group, employers can offer fixed reimbursements that employees can use to purchase their own insurance or use for medical expenses.

Many organizations have taken significant steps to reduce employment costs, and nearly a third already have or plan to furlough workers, with another 19% saying they might if necessary, according to a survey by Unum.

The disparity raises the prospect that women’s gains in the labor market and efforts to reduce the gender pay gap are being undermined by the lockdown.

“It is critical for employers to actively demonstrate their commitment to mental health parity. Fear and stigma can only be overcome when employees believe their workplace provides a safe environment,” says Dr. Eric Hart, chief medical officer of Healthstat.

Five workers and their families allege that the fast-food chain is endangering its employees.

The pandemic highlights why employers must have well-defined core values and communication strategies.

Workplace strategies and benefits need to support employees during a crisis that address the whole person — financial, connectedness, and physical and behavioral health.

As states around the country attempt to restart their economies, lack of child care will continue to keep some people — mostly women — from getting back to work.

Americans’ retirement savings are increasingly threatened by disabilities that temporarily keep employees out of work by turning to hardship withdrawals from retirement plans.

The partnership gives employees access to preventive care, discounts on supplies, and free veterinary consultations.

As some executives extol its virtues, other tech leaders aren’t so sure, opening a growing divide inside the industry over the future of work.

Machine learning will help companies hire more efficiently and safely as they begin to look toward the future post-pandemic.

Demand has soared for mental health services as bank employees put in long hours, supervise kids while working at home and endure personal crises. Citi, BofA, Fifth Third and others are getting creative to help them decompress during the pandemic.

If Democrats win in November, single-payer healthcare could still be on the agenda. Its adoption would shake up the benefits industry.

Leave-sharing programs make sense for employers seeking tax-efficient opportunities to financially assist employees impacted by the pandemic.

As many traditional benefits including gym memberships and commuter stipends are no longer available to employees, companies need to change their benefit offerings as well.

The Department of Labor issued a new rule that allows companies to distribute retirement benefit information electronically.