
Articles
2024 Compliance Outlook in Oregon
Thursday, January 18, 2024
The Oregon legislature was very busy last year adding consumer protections to insured benefits. In addition, the taxable wage cap for Paid Leave Oregon has increased. The contribution rate is not changing, but the taxable wage amount is going up.
Gender Nondiscrimination Considerations
Monday, January 8, 2024
Coverage for gender-related treatment and services is an evolving issue. Over the past decade, however, legislation, regulations, and court decisions all suggest that failure to provide equal access to coverage based on gender or sexual orientation may violate various nondiscrimination laws.
Markets in Focus :: Life Sciences Q4 2023
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
In the wake of the pandemic, life sciences companies were challenged to pivot to adopt new technologies and rethink existing operating models to sustain growth and deliver innovation at speeds unseen in the industry.
Markets in Focus :: General Q4 2023
Thursday, December 14, 2023
The global business landscape has undergone significant transformations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supply chain disruptions, a direct consequence of the pandemic, have fueled a rapid two-year surge in U.S. inflation. This surge, in turn, has elevated input costs for goods production and heightened public expectations of future price increases.
Markets in Focus :: Technology Q4 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Defined as applying scientific knowledge for practical purposes, technology has many terms, definitions, and use cases. Technology touches every commercial industry vertical and includes hardware and software solutions for public use, including information technology, robotics, the Internet of Things, communication, health technology, machine learning, electronics, and automation.
Markets in Focus :: Digital Risk Q4 2023
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The Digital Risk industry, which includes blockchain, web3, DeFi, and digital assets, experienced another volatile year in 2023. Notable players in the space, such as FTX and Silvergate Bank, suffered headline-grabbing collapses and brought the digital asset marketplace down with them.
Navigating the PFAS Crisis: Health Concerns, Legal Battles, and Risk Mitigation Strategies
Thursday, November 16, 2023
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to a range of health issues. These widely used chemicals have been integrated into commercial and consumer products for their valuable properties for decades…
Markets in Focus :: K-12 Education Q4 2023
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
In the September outlook on education, law firm Fisher Phillips identified the impact of the SCOTUS ruling on Affirmative Action, Artificial Intelligence, Immigration Compliance, and changes to Title IX among the most compelling issues affecting educational institutions as they kicked off another academic year.1 Add this to continued challenges around enrollment, talent recruitment, data security, […]
2024 Health FSA & Qualified Transportation Limits
Monday, November 13, 2023
In Revenue Procedure 2023-24, the IRS sets forth a variety of 2024 adjusted tax limits. Among other things, the notice indicates that employee contribution limits toward health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs) and qualified transportation fringe benefits will increase for 2024.
Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave Premiums for 2024
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The Washington Employment Security Department (WA ESD) has announced the 2024 premium rates for the Paid Family and Medical Leave (WA PFML). This rate is calculated every October and is based on premiums received and benefits paid during the previous year.
Protecting Manufacturing Businesses Amidst Insurance Market Instability
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
The world has been unstable since COVID-19 hit. We are experiencing a low supply of products, increased debt, massive inflation, sky-high interest rates, multiple wars, and heightened global security threats.
PCOR Fee Indexed in IRS Notice 23-70
Monday, November 6, 2023
The Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) Institute created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was funded by a temporary fee on health plans. While insurance companies typically take care of reporting and paying this fee for insured plans, an employer with a health reimbursement arrangement or a self-funded health plan is responsible to report and pay this fee each year by July 31 on IRS Form 720.
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