Alera Group Insights

Perspectives from our thought leaders and experts across the country.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Employee Benefits

Election Takeaways for Employers Sponsoring Group Health Plans

As the United States looks to 2025 and the inauguration of President Donald Trump, employers that sponsor employee benefit plans might be wondering what changes related to health benefits in America could be on the horizon.

November 8, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Webinar Preview: ‘When Captive Insurance Makes Sense’

As healthcare costs — including those for pharmacy — have continued to skyrocket, the urgency to control healthcare and pharmacy spend has elevated as well, and Captives have surged in popularity. Alera Group's webinar on Captive Insurance will help you determine whether forming or joining a Captive is right for you.

November 7, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Are You Prepared to Comply With the New Mental Health Parity Final Rule in 2025?

On September 9, 2024, the DOL, IRS and HHS released a final rule for the Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA Final Rule). The MHPAEA Final Rule is similar to the proposed rule released on July 25, 2023, with some marked differences. While the MHPAEA Final Rule is effective as of November 22, 2024, the requirements become enforceable at different times. Most apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, with other requirements becoming enforceable for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

October 25, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Legal Alert: IRS Adjusts Health Flexible Spending Account and Other Benefit Limits for 2025

On October 22, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2024-40, which increases the health flexible spending account (FSA) salary reduction contribution limit to $3,300 for plan years beginning in 2025, an increase of $100 from 2024.

October 23, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Webinar: Meeting the Needs of an Aging Workforce

Why is recognizing and addressing the priorities of older workers an imperative? Because, as Bain’s analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data determined, workers 55 and older will exceed a quarter of the workforce among G7 nations, including the United States, by 2031. Older workers typically have different priorities and needs compared to their younger colleagues, as Alera Group will examine and discuss on October 17 during the next event in our Engage series of employee benefits webinars, “Meeting the Needs of an Aging Workforce.”

October 3, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Wellbeing Fair Sessions — When and Where You Like

Themed “Live for Tomorrow,” Alera Group's 2024 Employee Wellbeing Fair is now available online, where you can access all eight sessions, select which ones you want to view and watch them at your convenience.

October 2, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Preparing for 2025: Creditable Coverage, Enrolling in Medicare and HSA Contributions

With significant changes coming in 2025 to creditable coverage determinations, employers and employees may have questions on what that means for them, whether they make the decision to enroll in Medicare Part D or continue to have coverage under their group health plan.

September 5, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Webinar: Better Benefits Administration and Lower Costs

If you don’t have expert assistance to guide you and your organization in the in using a sophisticated benefits portal, you’re wasting a lot of the money your business has invested — and probably frustrating the employees you mean to serve. Working with a brokerage that offers not only a leading-edge benefits portal but also year-round support and services enables your employees to seamlessly access, understand and navigate the portal, creating a positive benefits experience.

September 5, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Medicare Part D Creditability Determinations for Non-Calendar Year Plans

In 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) added a voluntary prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program. The benefit, known as Medicare Part D or “Part D,” is an optional program for Medicare beneficiaries to access covered prescription drugs at a lower cost. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed and set into motion changes to Part D benefits, with additional impact on employers in 2024 and 2025.

September 5, 2024

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