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On Dec. 19, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (Departments) released a proposed rule to improve price transparency disclosure requirements for non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance issuers. According to the Departments, the proposed rule would build on their final transparency rule from 2020, consistent with President…

Health care costs in the United States continue to climb, placing increasing pressure on employers and employees alike. Organizations that offer health benefits are challenged with managing escalating expenses while maintaining transparency and trust with their workforce. Transparent and empathetic communication is essential to help employees understand and navigate rising health care costs. Consider these…

Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are updated for inflation before the beginning of each calendar year. Note that some benefit limits are not adjusted for inflation, such as the catch-up contribution limit for health savings accounts (HSAs). Although the contribution limit for dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) is not…

The IRS has released Notice 2025-67, containing cost-of-living adjustments for 2026 that affect amounts employees can contribute to 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).  Key Changes for 2026  The employee contribution limit for 401(k) plans in 2026 has increased to $24,500, up from $23,500 for 2025, and the employee contribution limit for IRAs in…

On Oct. 9, 2025, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (Rev. Proc. 25-32), which includes the 2026 inflation-adjusted limit on employee salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending accounts (FSAs). For plan years beginning in 2026, the adjusted dollar limit on employees’ pre-tax contributions to health FSAs increases to $3,400. This is a $100 increase…

Nearly 1 in 4 American adults provide unpaid care to family, friends or loved ones with special needs. Research by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving found that the number of family caregivers jumped from 59 million in 2015 to 63 million in 2025. Of the current figure, almost one-third are part of the…

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a key component of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive care mandate. As background, the ACA requires non-grandfathered health plans and health insurance issuers to cover a set of recommended preventive services without imposing cost-sharing requirements, such as deductibles, copayments or coinsurance, when the services are…

President Donald Trump recently signed a major tax and spending bill, commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB Act), into law. The OBBB Act includes changes for employee benefit plans, including the following:  For more help on what this means for your organization, contact Ollis/Akers/Arney Human Resources Consulting. © 2025 Zywave,…

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are a smart, tax-advantaged way to save for medical expenses.  Funds in an HSA can be used for various eligible health care expenses, such as copays, prescriptions,  dental care and vision-related costs. The accounts are often used to help offset the higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs that come with a high-deductible health…

Personal health care literacy refers to being familiar with health care basics, understanding common medical terms and navigating health care information effectively. Improving your health care literacy can help you avoid unnecessary spending, stay healthy and prevent health problems. Consider these tips to help you take charge of your health:  Health care literacy is essential…