Resources

Federal Agencies Release Proposed Rules on Offering Fertility Benefits

On May 10, 2026, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (the Departments) jointly released proposed rules that would create…

IRS Publishes ACA Pay-or-Play Penalties for 2027

On May 4, 2026, the IRS published updated penalty amounts for 2027 regarding the employer shared responsibility (“pay-or-play”) rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).…

HHS Expands Hardship Exemptions for Catastrophic Coverage

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 formalizes earlier guidance that expands hardship-exemption eligibility to…

2026 DOL Civil Penalty Rates Remain Unchanged

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a memorandum directing federal agencies to cancel penalty-inflation adjustments for 2026. This suspension affects penalties that…

Real Estate Portfolio Insurance: How Master, Shared & Layered Programs Lower Your Cost Per Door

For institutional commercial real estate owners, insurers and brokers increasingly recommend portfolio-level solutions—master, shared, and layered insurance programs—as a way to reduce insurance cost per…

Welding & Gas CFO Club Recap April 2026

Thanks to the crew that attended last month. This is one of our longer and more impactful sets of notes we’ve had. There was some…

IRS Revised FAQs on Educational Assistance Programs

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued revised frequently asked questions (FAQs) on educational assistance programs under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code)…

Final Rules on Medicare Part D Creditability Disclosures

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule exempting account-based plans such as Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and Individual Health Reimbursement…

Reminder: RxDC Reports Due June 1, 2026

Every year, group health plans and health insurance issuers must submit detailed information on prescription drug and healthcare spending to the federal government. This reporting…

Federal Agencies Report to Congress

The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury recently submitted a report to Congress summarizing their review of comparative analyses of…

PCORI Fee Reporting

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and plan sponsors of self-insured health plans to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes…

Discontinued Products Coverage: The Forgotten/Misunderstood Tail Policy

Most insurance due diligence focuses on claims-made policies and determining whether these need to be tailed out. The reason is that these policies tend to…

3 Key Tips for Evaluating Your Pharmacy Benefits Before a Merger or Acquisition

When considering a merger or an acquisition, reviewing the employee benefits strategy is essential for several reasons. Ensuring you retain key employees, cost control and…

Where Has Our Nonprofit Team Been in Q1 2026?

Our nonprofit team works tirelessly to stay on top of the latest industry news and trends so they can provide innovative recommendations to their clients. Our…

Grilling Safety Tips

While grilling is a year-round activity, grill usage – as well as grill accidents and fires – spikes in the summer with the arrival of…

Summer Safety is as Important as Summer Fun

We understand the importance of staying safe during the summer season. With so many fun activities and events happening, it’s easy to forget about potential…

Boating Safety Tips

As the weather warms up, many people are eager to hit the water for some boating fun. However, it’s important to remember that boating can…

Top Nonprofit Industry Trends to Watch in 2026

The nonprofit sector has contended with a complex risk landscape for several years, largely fueled by funding pressures, economic uncertainty and rising demand for community…

10 Critical Steps to Take When Recovering from a Property Loss

Natural disasters like fires, floods, and storms can strike unexpectedly, causing severe damage and disruption to your business. As devastating as a property loss can…

2026 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Standards – Hospitals

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) keeps records not only of the most frequently cited standards overall, but also within particular industries. The most…

The Future of Manufacturing: 2026 Trends to Watch

Rising production demand and government funding have recently driven expansion and growth across manufacturing, but the sector now faces a more complex risk environment. Rapid…

Form 5500 Filing Deadline is July 31st

Every year, employers that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) must electronically file an annual report (Form 5500 “Annual Return/Report…

The Hidden Engine of Rising Costs: How “Legal Abuse” is Reshaping the Insurance Landscape

The numbers on your latest insurance renewal could tell a frustrating story, especially if you are looking at auto or umbrella/excess coverage. While many attribute…

DOL’s Questions and Answers Regarding Proposed Independent Contractor Rule

On Feb. 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule that would rescind the department’s 2024 final independent contractor rule and…