State Leave Laws & Absence Management – State leave laws & absence management are critical aspects of employee rights and workplace compliance. Varying widely across the United States, some states offer more generous provisions than others. These laws encompass various types of leave, including family and medical leave, paid sick leave, and parental leave. For instance, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year, but many states have enacted their own laws that expand on these benefits. States like California, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Washington, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have implemented (or will be implementing) paid family and medical leave programs that provide partial wage replacement for employees who need time off to care for a new child, a seriously ill family member, or their own serious health condition. Compliance with these state-specific regulations is crucial for employers to avoid legal penalties and ensure the well-being of their workforce. It is highly recommended that employers check with their current disability carrier to stay updated on the regulations specific to the states where they have employees. Disability carriers can provide valuable insights into the latest state leave laws and offer solutions (depending on employer size) to ensure compliance and efficient absence management. Please reach out to your SI Service Team for more information.
Member Wellness & Discount Programs – Most insurance carriers offer Wellness and discount programs through their member portals designed to empower members to take proactive steps toward better health, take advantage of savings/incentives & potentially reducing the need for costly medical interventions in the future. These programs vary in scope and availability depending on the insurance carrier and specific plan. To review the programs offered, the member should register and login to their respective insurance carrier portal. These programs typically include a variety of benefits and services, such as the following (examples may or may not be available with all plans):
- Wellness Programs: These focus on preventive care and lifestyle management. They may offer:
- Health Risk Assessments: Surveys or screenings to identify health risks.
- Health Coaching: Personalized guidance on nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
- Fitness Memberships: Discounts or subsidies for gym memberships or fitness classes.
- Tobacco/Nicotine Cessation Programs: Support for quitting tobacco/nicotine use.
- Mental Health Support: Resources for stress reduction and mental wellness.
- Discount Programs: These provide savings on healthcare services and products:
- Prescription Discounts: Reduced costs on medications not covered by insurance.
- Vision, Dental & Hearing Discounts: Savings on eye exams, glasses, contact lenses, dental cleanings, and procedures.
- Alternative Therapies: Discounts on chiropractic care, acupuncture, and other alternative treatments.
- Medical Equipment: Reduced prices on durable medical equipment like wheelchairs or CPAP machines.
- Incentives and Rewards: Some programs offer incentives for healthy behaviors:
- Financial Rewards: Discounts on premiums or cash incentives for meeting health goals.
- Points Systems: Earn points redeemable for gift cards, fitness gear, or travel rewards by participating in wellness activities.
- Digital Tools and Resources: Many carriers provide apps or online portals to facilitate program participation:
- Health Trackers: Tools for monitoring fitness, nutrition, and overall health metrics.
- Educational Resources: Articles, webinars, or videos on health topics and disease prevention.
Telehealth Availability – Most health plans and insurance carriers offer virtual Telehealth options to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions. With the ease and convenience of a mobile device, tablet or computer a member can consult with a Doctor for needs such as mental wellness, prescriptions for medicine, pink eye, sinusitis, urinary tract infections, common rashes, etc. Virtual healthcare offers flexibility while improving accessibility and convenience of care while saving both money and time by allowing patients to get the needed treatment in a fast and efficient manner. Additionally, telehealth can help reduce exposure to contagious diseases by minimizing the need to visit healthcare facilities. We encourage you to review your medical plan’s telehealth options and work with your SI Service team to help communicate this valuable resource to your employees.
2025 HSA Contribution Limits – The IRS has announced the 2025 inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as determined under the Internal Revenue Code. The 2025 annual limit on HSA contributions for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) is $4,300 (up from $4,150 for 2024), and family coverage is $8,550 (up from $8,300 for 2024). The Age 55 HSA catchup contribution maximum remains the same at $1,000 per individual that is age 55 or over. The 2025 annual dollar limit on employee contributions to a Health Care FSA (FSAs) will be released by the Internal Revenue Service later this year.
Should you have any questions or would like to discuss these or any other topics, please feel free to contact your Stumm Insurance Service Team.