[{"title":"Plans and Issuers will Need to Submit “Gag Clause” Attestations by Dec. 31, 2023","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-AdobeStock_298312521-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/plans-and-issuers-will-need-to-submit-gag-clause-attestations-by-dec-31-2023.html","kickerTitle":"Health law","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Mar 09 2023","description":"Our compliance pros break down new guidance that details the submission process for gag clause attestations due December 31, 2023.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Medicaid Redeterminations and the Projected Cost to Employer Health Plans","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-104821909-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/medicaid-redeterminations-and-the-projected-cost-to-employer-health-plans.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare cost","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Feb 23 2023","description":"As continuous enrollment in Medicaid ends and states commence the redetermination process, employers may see increased health plan enrollment and costs.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Agencies issue prescription drug reporting relief for 2020 and 2021","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2022-gettyImages-697387815-1280x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/agencies-issue-prescription-drug-reporting-relief-for-2020-and-2021.html","kickerTitle":"Health law \u0026 policy","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Dec 27 2022","description":"Regulators have issued much-needed guidance providing good faith compliance relief, a grace period for filing until Jan. 31, 2023, a number of clarifications, and added flexibilities. Learn more. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Recent CMS FAQs Simplify RxDC Reporting","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-597315261-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/recent-cms-faqs-simplify-rxdc-reporting.html","kickerTitle":"Health law \u0026 policy","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Sep 29 2022","description":"Regulators recently posted a number of FAQs that should ease the prescription drug data collection (RxDC) reporting burden for employers sponsoring complex group health plans.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Upcoming Rx Reporting—What about Point Solutions?","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brand-images/supporting-photography/GettyImages-1198253719-colleague-sharing-ipad-with-colleague-1200x630px.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/upcoming-rx-reporting.html","kickerTitle":"Price Transparency","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Sep 15 2022","description":"The first step for employers is to evaluate each point solution separately, with the assistance of legal counsel, to determine whether the point solution’s costs can be excluded from reporting","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Updated CMS Instructions Limit Rx Reporting for Wellness Services","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brand-images/supporting-photography/GettyImages-1198253719-colleague-sharing-ipad-with-colleague-1200x630px.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/updated-cms-instructions-limit-rx-reporting-for-wellness-services.html","kickerTitle":"RxDC reporting","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Sep 08 2022","description":"CMS made a number of updates to the instructions for a new prescription drug reporting mandate. The updates include clarification on which wellness services must be reported. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"CMS Issues Late, Breaking Guidance on Posting Machine-Readable Files","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-597315261-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/cms-issues-late-breaking-guidance-on-posting-machine-readable-files.html","kickerTitle":"Health law \u0026 policy","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Jun 23 2022","description":"With the July 1 deadline for most group health plans to post machine-readable files looming, CMS issued additional FAQ guidance today. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Did You Know The New Rx Reporting Includes Wellness Programs?","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brand-images/supporting-photography/GettyImages-668642838-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/did-you-know-the-new-rx-reporting-includes-wellness-programs.html","kickerTitle":"Health law \u0026 policy","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Jun 09 2022","description":"A new prescription drug reporting mandate requires group health plans and health insurers to report other medical costs, including wellness services as a subcategory of total annual healthcare spending. Our compliance pros share what you need to know","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Regulators’ First Report on Mental Health Parity Analysis Finds Issues","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-597315261-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/regulators-first-report-on-mental-health-parity-analysis-finds-issues.html","kickerTitle":"Wellbeing","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Feb 03 2022","description":"Of the 150 nonquantitative treatment limit analyses reviewed by the DOL, all were deemed insufficient when first received. We review the main flaws and common problems to help you focus your compliance efforts. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Prepare to Comply with No Surprises Act Notice Requirements","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1129490299.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/prepare-to-comply-with-no-surprises-act-notice-requirements.html","kickerTitle":"Surprise Billing","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Dec 16 2021","description":"As we turn the page on 2021, employers should be working with their TPAs and insurers to determine how they will satisfy the notice requirements under the No Surprises Act.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Regulators Clarify Implementation Timeline of Transparency Provisions","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/latinamerica/latam/la-2021-social-media-AdobeStock_322796743.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/regulators-clarify-implementation-timeline-of-transparency-provisions.html","kickerTitle":"Transparency","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Aug 25 2021","description":"New guidance clarifies the timeline for health plans to implement key transparency provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The FAQs provide three important enforcement delays.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"PBMs, Chamber File Suits to Block Transparency Machine - Readable Files","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2021-social-media-adobestock_234092554-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/pbms-chamber-file-suits-to-block-transparency-machine-readable-files.html","kickerTitle":"Transparency","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Aug 19 2021","description":"A difficult burden in implementing transparency is the requirement of publishing machine-readable files. Two lawsuits are challenging this mandate.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Surprise Billing Interim Final Rule Released","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2021-social-media-GettyImages-1163500880-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/surprise-billing-interim-final-rule-released.html","kickerTitle":"Surprise billing","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Jul 08 2021","description":"he Interim Final Rule, Part I, implementing the No Surprises Act was released last week and is applicable to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2022. This rule focuses on many of the Act’s provisions related to the prohibition on surprise bi","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Which is Better – Dependent Care FSA or the Tax Credit?","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1134289602-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/which-is-better-dependent-care-fsa-or-the-tax-credit.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Apr 08 2021","description":"Increasing pre-tax contributions to $10,500 in the dependent care FSA may not be the best option for some employees. The increased dependent care tax credit may be the better option.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"DOL Provides Model Notices, FAQs on ARPA COBRA Subsidy","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/latinamerica/latam/la-2020-mercer-social-media-GettyImages-874867520.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/dol-provides-model-notices-faqs-on-arpa-cobra-subsidy.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Apr 08 2021","description":"The DOL has issued model notices and FAQs clarifying some of the issues related to the COBRA premium assistance program.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"IRS Clarifies FSA Relief in CAA, Provides More Flexibility for Cafeteria Plan Elections ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/offset_801016-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/irs-clarifies-fsa-relief-in-caa-provides-more-flexibility-for-cafeteria-plan-elections.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Feb 25 2021","description":"The IRS has issued guidance to explain the temporary health FSA and dependent care FSA relief in the Consolidated Appropriations Act and to build upon temporary election change relief for other pre-tax benefits from last year’s guidance.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Big News for Employers — Long-Sought Answers on How to Handle Unused 2020 FSA Balances and Much More","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brand-images/supporting-photography/GettyImages-155377752-Supporting-web.png","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/big-news-for-employers-long-sought-answers-on-how-to-handle-unused-2020-FSA-balances-and-much-more.html","kickerTitle":"Policy","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Dec 23 2020","description":"A massive piece of legislation passed Monday by Congress — the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act — provides COVID-19 relief and funds the federal government, but also has many provisions that will affect employer group health plans and other benef","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"New Transparency Rule Requires Plan Sponsors to Disclose Costs Up Front","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-506479358-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/new-transparency-rule-requires-plan-sponsors-to-disclose-costs-up-front.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare costs","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Oct 29 2020","description":"New transparency regulations will require plan sponsors to disclose price and cost-sharing information starting in 2022. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to put quality front and center.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"How Wayfair Sales Tax Case Affects Benefit Vendors and Their Customers","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-images-GettyImages-527626501-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-wayfair-sales-tax-case-affects-benefit-vendors-and-their-customers.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare costs","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Apr 16 2020","description":"Before you pay that sales tax invoice from your health plan or wellness vendor there are three things you need to review.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"The New Transparency Regulations: Will Consumers Finally Be ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/AdobeStock_112047591-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-new-transparency-regulations-will-consumers-finally-be-able-to-shop-for-healthcare.html","kickerTitle":"Transparency","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Nov 21 2019","description":"Two sets of regulations released last week – one final, one proposed -- have the potential to make health care costs a lot more transparent. In a surprise move,","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"The Path Forward for Association Health Plans","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-path-forward-for-association-health-plans.html","kickerTitle":"Health Policy","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Apr 11 2019","description":"Employer association health plans formed under new Department of Labor rules will need to make some quick decisions.","otherTagsId":["Cheryl Hughes"]},{"title":"Outlook for 2019 from Mercer’s Law \u0026 Policy Group","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/outlook-for-2019-from-mercers-law-and-policy-group.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Jan 31 2019","description":"Mercer’s Law and Policy Group says finding ways to curb health plan costs without increasing compliance burdens or litigation risks is a key 2019 policy goal.","otherTagsId":["Cheryl Hughes"]},{"title":"Administration Proposes Major Expansion of Health Reimbursement Accounts","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/administration-proposes-major-expansion-of-health-reimbursement-accounts.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Oct 25 2018","description":"Healthcare reimbursement account expansions have been proposed, allowing employers to pay for their workers\u0027 health plans in the individual market.","otherTagsId":["Cheryl Hughes"]},{"title":"Steph Healthcare Blog Template","articleTag":"","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/AdobeStock_112047591-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/steph-healthcare-blog-1.html","kickerTitle":"Transparency","authorTagId":["Cheryl Hughes"],"publishDate":"Mar 29 2023","description":"Two sets of regulations released last week – one final, one proposed -- have the potential to make health care costs a lot more transparent. In a surprise move,","otherTagsId":[]}]