Articles
Risk in Focus :: Education Q3 2023
Monday, August 28, 2023
Schools must prioritize risk mitigation with disaster plans and resilience measures, showing insurers their commitment to risk reduction. Addressing students’ mental health is crucial, as it affects academic performance and wellbeing. Carriers are stepping up with valuable mental health services.
Paid Leave Oregon (PLO): APPLICATION PROCESS BEGINS
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Oregon employees who work for employers who are participating in Oregon’s state mandated PLO program can apply for benefits starting August 14, 2023, and benefits will be available beginning on September 3, 2023.
Keeping Up With Clinical Risk Management: Transforming Healthcare Delivery Embracing Virtual Nursing for Staffing Challenges
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Healthcare facilities continue to struggle with significant nursing turnover, attempting to backfill and continue operations despite shortages. Some healthcare facilities are finding that pivoting to virtual nursing for certain aspects of patient care could be a potential solution.
Markets in Focus :: Energy Q3 2023
Monday, July 24, 2023
Property valuations are lagging behind true replacement costs due to labor shortages and supply chain disruptions resulting from the pandemic and inflationary pressures. As a result, underwriters are scrutinizing reported values and making frequent indexed valuation adjustments to protect against under-valuation.
Gag Clause Attestation Guidance Released
Monday, July 17, 2023
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of Human Services (HHS) [collectively, “the Departments”] have released guidance regarding the requirement for employer sponsored health plans and health insurance carriers to submit an attestation of compliance with the gag clause prohibitions contained in The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021.
Markets in Focus :: Commercial Real Estate Q2 2023
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
U.S. commercial real estate investment activity is slowing as the nation’s economy slips toward a possible recession. Deal volume will decline 15% this year. In a CBRE survey, 60% of investors indicated they would reduce purchases in 2023, most by more than 10%, while only 15% of respondents stated they would increase their activity.
The False Claims Act and Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
It has been a pivotal year in Government Contracting. In the last 18 months, we have seen the creation of the Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative (2021), three significant CCFI suits, and the recent Supreme Court decision to verify the meaning of “knowingly” in an FCA context (June 2023). These factors, combined with DOJ’s interest in hiring […]
Avoiding the High Cost of Employment Lawsuits: Proactive Measures for Hospitality Businesses
Friday, June 2, 2023
Sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination—if an employee or former employee sued your business due to one of these situations, do you have the correct insurance to pay for your legal defense or the settlement associated with the lawsuit?
The David-Bacon and Service Contract Acts
Thursday, June 1, 2023
The Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), adopted in 1931 and amended many times since, requires construction contractors and subcontractors working under a federal contract valued at $2,000 or more to pay their laborers on that project no less than the local “prevailing wage.”
HSA Indexing for 2024
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the IRS released 2024 indexing for health savings accounts (HSAs) and excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (EBHRAs). Elevated inflation has once again led to significantly increased limits.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Fees Due By July 31, 2023
Thursday, May 25, 2023
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to help patients, clinicians, payers, and the public make informed health decisions by advancing clinical effectiveness research. The Institute is funded by the PCORI fee which is imposed upon carriers and employers with self-funded medical plans (including HRAs).
Markets in Focus :: Hospitality Q2 2023
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
In 2023, hotel spending is expected to increase nearly 25% compared to 2022, while currently, 75% of restaurant owners are confident they can sustain their business, having previously been in a state of survival/recovery. Read our latest Markets in Focus Hospitality, to learn more.
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