May 29, 2020 | Coronavirus, COVID-19, Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), IRS
The IRS recently released two notices of interest to employers offering flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Notice 2020-29 relates to cafeteria plan elections and FSA grace periods, both of which are optional. These plan amendments must be adopted before December 31,...
May 15, 2020 | Coronavirus, COVID-19, Department of Labor, Regulatory
Earlier this month, the Department of Labor released COVID-19-related regulations specifically addressing deadline relief for employee benefit plans, plan participants, and plan beneficiaries. MedBen has prepared a summary of these regulations, which is available on...
May 14, 2020 | Coronavirus, COVID-19, Regulatory
Keeping track of the various changes affecting self-funded plans in the wake of the pandemic can be a challenge. To help clients remember what’s currently required or requested of them, MedBen has compiled a chart showing all the COVID-19 health plan effective...
May 2, 2020 | Coronavirus, COVID-19, Telehealth, Telemedicine
A recent survey on physician practices during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that patient volumes are down 65% and will likely remain low in the coming months. Conversely, MedBen saw telehealth increase in utilization and claim costs from February to April. It’s...
May 1, 2020 | Balance billing, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Reference-Based Pricing, Regulatory
In the wake of the pandemic, federal officials are offering emergency funding to hospitals, clinics and doctors’ practices – but with an interesting stipulation. Providers accepting the funds cannot impose surprise medical bills on COVID-19 patients, such as “balance...
Apr 17, 2020 | Coronavirus, COVID-19, Direct-to-Employer Contracting, MedBen University, Reference-Based Pricing, Roundtables, Webinars, Wellness
On April 16, MedBen University (MBU) held its first event of the 2020 season with the 5th Annual Broker Roundtable Webinar. This webinar brought together brokers from five states to review cost and utilization trends, market strategies, and ways to help maximize value...
