Wellness

The problem can result in financial burdens and lost productivity for employees, but companies can provide support services and tools, including an advocacy service through the benefits plan.

This could include providing employees with a flexible schedule to attend doctors’ appointments and/or adjusting their workload.

Benefit groups applaud inclusion of the measure in House bill, expect it will still pass when Congress eventually reaches a deal.

Digital onboarding, personalized benefit videos and Apple Pay capabilities for health savings accounts will be available for employees enrolled in employer-sponsored UHC plans.

The due dates for filing with the IRS remain unchanged for now, but advisers and clients must monitor developments that may repeal or modify rules.

The CVS-Aetna deal, for example, would have the potential to take over costly, and previously difficult-to-control, primary care costs.

Financial Finesse and the Global Retirement Partners Advisor Alliance are two years into a program that now reaches more than 500 employers, including New York’s finest.

As group purchasing coalitions become more popular, they are increasingly susceptive to mismanagement due to low volume, lack of risk control and poor adviser experience.

The bill clarifies that agent compensation is not an insurance company administrative expense, which could relieve financial strains on small and independent firms.

Education offerings, student debt repayment programs and helping employees with short-term money issues will be big employer priorities this year.