Insights

New Hampshire's Paid Family and Medical Leave (NH PFML) program will be available beginning January 1, 2023. Open enrollment for employer plans begins on December 1, 2022, and open enrollment for individuals runs from January 1, 2023, through March 2, 2023. NH PFML provides 60% wage replacement (up to the Social Security wage cap) for either six or twelve weeks per year for absences related to the following life events: A worker's own serious health condition when disability coverage does not

The Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) form is a state reporting requirement in Massachusetts that applies to in-state and out-of-state employers with six or more employees working in Massachusetts. The HIRD form collects employer-level information about employer-sponsored health plans to assist MassHealth in identifying members who can participate in, and who may be eligible for premium assistance from, MassHealth. The HIRD reporting is filed through the MassTaxConnect (MTC) web

When the Wall Street Journal reported on the harmful effects of toxic workplaces on employee mental and physical health in October, they turned to NFP for survey data published in the 2022 US Benefit Trend Report. Centered around the Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's unexpected finding that toxic workplaces are harmful to workers, the article referenced organizations' well-being spend as collected by our annual employer benefits survey. Consistent with NFP's expertise, the article highlighted the

As hurricanes evolve, there are several key steps you can take now that will go a long way toward keeping your employees safe while minimizing damage to your business. Before a Hurricane Protect Your Employees and Business Have a communication plan with more than one way to reach your employees, vendors and customers. Determine the best sources in your area for the latest information and updates (local radio, NOAA radio online or TV stations). Contact suppliers about holding shi

As hurricanes evolve, there are steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe and minimize damage to your property. Before a Hurricane Protect Your Family Make sure you have access to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio broadcasts: Find a NOAA radio station online. Search for a NOAA radio app in the Apple Store or on Google Play. Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA radio. Prepared to Evacuate Quickly Follow all emergency mandates, including evacuat

Staying on top of the latest in a specific market can help to position you to make the best decisions for your organization. Having more information and data around ongoing trends and future projections arm you with the opportunity to reposition, adjust and strategize with more informed choices, despite the ever-changing landscape. As we move into the final quarter of 2022, the Q3 Specialty Trend Report and Claims Journal offer insights into important changes and a detailed analysis of speciali

The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced the applicable premium rate and maximum employee contribution for Paid Family Leave (PFL) coverage beginning January 1, 2023. The state's PFL program is intended to provide eligible employees with a portion of their wages while taking time off to bond with a child, care for a family member with a serious health condition or handle personal matters arising from an immediate family member in the Armed Forces being called to active dut

When eligibility for coverage is lost due to a change in relationship status, employees and employers may assume COBRA is always offered to the individual losing coverage. However, when a domestic partnership ends that is not necessarily the case. Federal COBRA requires most employers to offer qualified beneficiaries who lose coverage as a result of a COBRA qualifying event (e.g., termination of employment, reduction of hours, divorce) the opportunity to continue health coverage for a specifie

On October 13, 2022, the DOL released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would guide employers in classifying workers as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA governs minimum wage and overtime requirements that apply to employees but not independent contractors. The proposed rules would rescind and replace the 2021 issued regulations and restore a 'totality-of-the -circumstances' multi-factor economic realities test rather than the two