[{"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":["Dorian Smith"],"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":"How Plan Sponsors can Prepare for End of COVID Emergency Declarations","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1150962749-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-plan-sponsors-can-prepare-for-end-of-covid-emergency-declarations.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Feb 02 2023","description":"The expiration of the COVID public health and national emergencies will have a significant impact on employer-sponsored group health plans. Learn more. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Lifestyle Spending Accounts: Your Top Questions Answered","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/latinamerica/latam/la-2021-social-media-AdobeStock_270092392.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/lifestyle-spending-accounts-your-top-questions-answered.html","kickerTitle":"Flexible Benefits","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"May 19 2022","description":"Seventy percent of survey respondents said that they are considering adding an LSA to their benefits package.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"SECURE 2.0 Bill Sails through The House, Ferland Commends Lawmakers","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/healthcare-blog/GettyImages-1171809498-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/secure-20-bill-sails-through-the-house-ferland-commends-lawmakers.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Mar 31 2022","description":"The US House took an important step in helping employer help their workers achiever retirement security. Geoff Manville and Dorian Smith explain. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Covering At-Home COVID-19 Tests: Your Top Questions Answered","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1212145592-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/covering-at-home-covid-19-tests-your-top-questions-answered.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Jan 20 2022","description":"Effective January 15th, most health plans must cover at-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests that members purchase at a pharmacy, retail store or online","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Plans Must Cover at-Home OTC COVID-19 Tests for Free","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2021-social-media-gettyimages-1193056707-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/plans-must-cover-at-home-otc-covid-19-tests-for-free.html","kickerTitle":"DEI","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Jan 12 2022","description":"Beginning Jan. 15, 2022, group health plans must cover at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests without cost sharing, prior authorization, or other medical-management requirements. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"OSHA\u0027s Vaccination or Testing Mandate is Back in Effect","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2021-GettyImages-1276395298-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/oshas-vaccination-or-testing-mandate-is-back-in-effect.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Dec 20 2021","description":"An appeals court overturned a prior decision blocking OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) from going into effect. But while OSHA is again enforcing the ETS, the compliance dates have been pushed out.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"COVID-19 Relief for Health Plans: How Long Does it Last?","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1212145592-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/COVID-19-relief-for-health-plans-how-long-does-it-last.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Nov 04 2021","description":"Is the COVID relief for health plans and accounts temporary or permanent? Here’s a summary to help you keep it all straight. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"House Bill Lowers Employer ‘Play-or-Pay’ Affordability Percentage","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brand-images/supporting-photography/GettyImages-1213470229.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/house-bill-lowers-employer-play-or-pay-affordability-percentage.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Sep 16 2021","description":"Legislation approved this week by the House Ways and Means Committee lowers the employer ‘play-or-pay’ affordability percentage and keeps COVID-related dependent care enhancements. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Biden Seeks Paid Leave, Dependent Care Help in Sweeping Family Aid Plan","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/1176582602-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/biden-seeks-paid-leave-dependent-care-help-in-sweeping-family-aid-plan.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Apr 29 2021","description":"The Biden administration unveiled a sweeping “American Families Plan. Geoff Manville and Dorian Smith discuss what’s in the plan.","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":["Dorian Smith"],"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":"What Should Employers Do About Outbreak Period Relief?","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-549776521-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/what-should-employers-do-about-outbreak-period-relief.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Feb 24 2021","description":"Many people are wondering if ERISA, COBRA and certain HIPAA timeframes paused during the outbreak period will soon expire or restart. It’s a question without a clear answer. Katharine Marshall and Dorian Smith explain what employers should do.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Federal COBRA Subsidies Among Health, Leave Items in COVID Aid Bill","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_322796743-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/federal-cobra-subsidies-among-health-leave-items-in-covid-aid-bill.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Feb 11 2021","description":"Subsidized COBRA premiums are included in COVID-19 relief legislation unveiled this week. The bill also contains proposals to boost financial aid for employers providing emergency paid sick and family leave, increase employer-provided dependent care ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Senate GOP Unveils Coronavirus Relief Package; Formal Talks Begin","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1132120753-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/senate-GOP-unveils-coronavirus-relief-package-formal-talks-begin.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Jul 30 2020","description":"Senate Republicans unveiled their plan for the next coronavirus aid package this week. Geoff Manville and Dorian Smith discuss the health policy provisions included in the GOP’s opening bid","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Congress Nears Decisions on Health Policy in Virus Relief Bill","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1209025695-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/congress-nears-decisions-on-health-policy-in-virus-relief-bill.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Jul 16 2020","description":"The Senate will debate a coronavirus aid package when they return later this month. Many employer policy priorities are missing from the bill but could be included in a final package. Geoff Manville and Dorian Smith explain. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Employers Urge Policy Changes as Senate Panel Examines Telehealth Issues","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-930002644-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-urge-policy-changes-as-senate-panel-examines-telehealth-issues.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Jun 25 2020","description":"Major plan sponsor groups are calling for policy changes to better support employer-sponsored telehealth and other remote care services. Mercer’s Geoff Manville and Dorian Smith explain. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"IRS Allows More Election Changes, Modifies FSA Rules","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1175060780-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/IRS-allows-more-election-changes-modifies-FSA-rules.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"May 14 2020","description":"The IRS has released important guidance on cafeteria plan elections, FSAs and related issues.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"HSAs: Saving for, and During, an Emergency","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/875249534-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/HSA-saving-for-and-during-an-emergency.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Costs","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"May 14 2020","description":"HSAs play an important role in boosting financial wellbeing during an emergency and in the future.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Congress Delays Return, Employers Advance COVID-19 Policy Proposals","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-AdobeStock_126381513-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/congress-delays-return-employers-advance-covid-19-policy-proposals.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Dorian Smith"],"publishDate":"Apr 16 2020","description":"Congress has delayed their return to Washington but negotiations for a “phase 4” bill continue.","otherTagsId":[]}]