[{"title":"The Next Challenge for Abortion Coverage in Employer Health Plans","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-748346749-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-next-challenge-for-abortion-coverage-in-employer-health-plans.html","kickerTitle":"Women’s health","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Feb 16 2023","description":"Confusion abounds about whether, and where, abortion medication is legal. And things may get even more complicated if the courts halt access to Mifepristone for all women in the US, not just women in states banning or restricting abortion. Click thro","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"State 2023 Legislative Agenda Includes Paid Leave, Benefits","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/state-2023-legislative-agenda-includes-paid-leave-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Jan 26 2023","description":"These health, benefits and insurance areas of pending state legislation are noteworthy as the 2023 legislative sessions convene.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Senate Passes Protections for Same-Sex Marriages","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-640127001-office-colegue-holding-court-in-meeting-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/senate-passes-protections-for-same-sex-marriages.html","kickerTitle":"Well-being","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Dec 01 2022","description":"Geoff Manville and Katharine Marshall explain how the same-sex marriage protections moving through Congress may effect employer benefit plans.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Finds Employers Expanding Medical Travel Benefits","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-506479358-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-finds-employers-expanding-medical-travel-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Oct 27 2022","description":"Our recent survey results provide insight into the prevalence and design of medical travel benefits in group health plans. Learn more. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Medications for Pregnancy Termination in a Post-Dobbs World","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/healthcare-blog/us-2021-social-media-offset_980150-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/medications-for-pregnancy-termination-in-a-post-dobbs-world.html","kickerTitle":"Health law \u0026 policy","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Jun 30 2022","description":"The US Supreme Court decision in Dobbs has prompted a number of questions for health plans. Ultimately it will be up to the courts to decide whether, and to what extent, a state may restrict access to abortion medications within its borders. Meanwhil","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"SCOTUS Overturns Roe: Understanding the Impact on Your Benefit Plans","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-748346749-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/scotus-overturns-roe-understanding-the-impact-on-your-benefit-plans.html","kickerTitle":"Health law \u0026 policy","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Jun 24 2022","description":"The US Supreme Court has ruled that there is no federal constitutional right to abortion. The Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturns Roe v. Wade and establishes that abortion now can be regulated by the states at all stages.","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":["Katharine Marshall"],"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":"HHS Focuses on Cyberattacks, Senators Propose HIPAA Modernization","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2021-social-media-gettyimages-1165211749-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/hhs-focuses-on-cyberattacks-senators-propose-hipaa-modernization.html","kickerTitle":"Health law and policy","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Mar 31 2022","description":" Hacking and IT incidents represented the leading cause of large protected health information breaches. Employers health plan sponsors should be actively monitoring their cybersecurity compliance.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Employer Role Seen in New Biden Strategy to Combat COVID-19","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1216720146-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employer-role-seen-in-new-biden-strategy-to-combat-covid-19.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Mar 10 2022","description":"The National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan announced by President Biden during his State of the Union Address includes a few noteworthy provisions for employers, though whether Congress will provide the necessary funding for much of the plan is far from","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Employer Vaccine or Test Mandate on Hold; Healthcare Mandate Expanded","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brand-images/supporting-photography/GettyImages-1276395298-medium.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employer-vaccine-or-test-mandate-on-hold-healthcare-mandate-expanded.html","kickerTitle":"DEI","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Jan 13 2022","description":"The US Supreme Court today ordered OSHA to refrain from enforcing the large employer COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandate while legal challenges work their way through a lower court. ","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":["Katharine Marshall"],"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":"Federal Contractor Vaccine Deadline Shifted ","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"https://author.www.marshinc.net/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-offset_992889-1200x630.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.thumbnail.319.319.png?ch_ck\u003d1608244009000","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/federal-contractor-vaccine-deadline-shifted.html","kickerTitle":"Vaccines ","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Nov 18 2021","description":"Federal contractors have five more weeks to require employees to get fully vaccinated, as the original deadline of Dec. 8, 2021, has been pushed back to Jan. 18, 2022.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"House Democrats Reveal Health, Paid Leave Policies in Budget Package","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/1167037043-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/house-democrats-reveal-health-paid-leave-policies-in-budget-package.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Sep 09 2021","description":"Draft bills to add new benefits to Medicare, create a government-run paid family and medical leave benefit for US workers, and boost penalties for mental health parity violations were unveiled this week by key House committees. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Vaccine Incentives, Surcharges and Mandates, Oh My!","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2021-social-media-GettyImages-1266646735-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/vaccine-incentives-surcharges-and-mandates-oh-my.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Aug 19 2021","description":"To address the still significant risk related to unvaccinated status, employers are evaluating several options that range from a nudge to a push.","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":["Katharine Marshall"],"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":"New Outbreak Period Guidance Requires Plan Action","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-healthcare-news/GettyImages-874867520.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/new-outbreak-period-guidance-requires-plan-action.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Mar 02 2021","description":"Plan sponsors will need to review their timeframes subject to the coronavirus outbreak period in light of new guidance from the DOL. Here are some action items to get you started.","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":["Katharine Marshall"],"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":"EEOC Withdraws Proposed Wellness Regulations","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1213338960-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/eeoc-withdraws-proposed-wellness-regulations.html","kickerTitle":"Well-being","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Feb 18 2021","description":"It’s back to the drawing board now that the EEOC has withdrawn the proposed wellness rules they released earlier this year. Here’s what it means for your wellness program.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"EEOC Proposes Wellness Program Changes","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1213338960-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/eeoc-proposes-wellness-program-changes.html","kickerTitle":"Wellbeing","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Jan 14 2021","description":"Under the new proposed wellness program rules employers would not be permitted to offer more than de minimis incentives for completion of health risk assessments or biometric screenings. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Supreme Court\u0027s LGBTQ Decision Spurs Legislation, Lawsuits","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_146190389.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/supreme-courts-lgbtq-decision-spurs-legislation-lawsuits.html","kickerTitle":"Washington Weekly","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Jun 18 2020","description":"Monday\u0027s Supreme Court ruling banning workplace discrimination against gay and transgender employees will shape legal battles over health care access for years to come. Mercer’s Geoff Manville and Katharine Marshall explain. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Historic ruling confirms LGBTQ+ work protections","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-gradient_bluetopink-two-women-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/historic-ruling-confirms-lgbtq-plus-work-protections.html","kickerTitle":"Diversity \u0026 Inclusion","authorTagId":["Katharine Marshall"],"publishDate":"Jun 15 2020","description":"The Supreme Court ruled today that it is illegal for an employer to fire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity – a major victory in the fight for civil rights for LGBTQ+ people. ","otherTagsId":[]}]