On May 12, President Donald Trump issued an executive order (EO) that aims to bring the prices Americans pay for prescription drugs in line with those paid by similar nations. This legal update summarizes the EO and recent federal agency developments in response to the order.  [Download the full PDF update here]   Employers, providers and payers should stay informed as this directive evolves into actionable policies.  Questions?  If you have questions, contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of employee benefits .    This content is for informational purposes only. It has been partially generated from an AI language model, which may not always be exhaustive or tailored to individual circumstances. We encourage you to contact one of our experts for more information. We assume no liability arising from any use of this content. 

Many employers offer a Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) that lets you set aside pre-tax dollars to pay eligible dependent care expenses. This article highlights dependent care benefits and how to make the most of them.  [Download the full PDF here]   Making the most of DCAP  If you’re balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, a DCAP can help ease the financial burden. Also known as a dependent care flexible spending account, a DCAP allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay eligible dependent care expenses — offering valuable tax savings for working families.  Here’s what to know:  Pre-tax savings: Contributions reduce your taxable income, which can lower your overall tax bill.  Qualified expenses: Eligible costs may include day care, preschool, after-school programs and adult day care for dependents who require supervision.  Who qualifies: Care must be provided for children under age 13 or for dependents who are physically or mental...

Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums (OOPMs) are important cost-sharing parameters for health plans. This compliance overview summarizes key rules for employers regarding these limits, including the special limits for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) OOPM on essential health benefits.  [Download the full PDF report]   Understanding deductibles and OOPMs  Deductibles and OOPMs play a central role in how health plan costs are shared between the plan and the enrollee. Here’s  important terms employers need to know:  Deductible: The amount a member must pay out-of-pocket for covered services before the health plan begins to contribute.  Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OOPM): The annual cap on what a member pays for covered services. Once reached, the health plan covers 100% of additional covered costs for the rest of the year.  Premium trade-off: Plans with higher deductibles and OOPMs often come with lower monthly premium...

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees) annually, using IRS Form 720. This update provides an overview of Form 720 and full payment of the PCORI fees, which are due by July 31 for plan years ending in 2024.   [Get the whole PDF update here]   Key details to keep in mind  Annual filing: PCORI fees must be reported and paid using IRS Form 720, the Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return.  Upcoming deadline: For plan years ending in 2024, the payment and filing are due by July 31.  Coverage period: Fees apply to plan years that ended during the previous calendar year.  Who must pay: Both fully insured and self-insured group health plans may be subject to the fee, with filing responsibility typically falling on the employer for self-insured plans.  Employers should review their plan year end dates and ensure timely compliance to avoid p...

Welcome to the July 2025 edition of Benefits Buzz! In this month’s issue, we dive into the latest topics related to employee benefits, wellness programs and ever-evolving workplace dynamics. Stay informed and gain insights that help you make the most of your benefits package.  This month's topics  Topic #1: U.S. Supreme Court upholds state ban on gender-affirming care for minors.  Topic #2: PCORI fees are due by July 31.  Download the full issue  For an in-depth look at this month's topics, download the PDF below. Dive deeper into the advice and guidance that can help you leverage your benefits to their fullest potential. Don't miss out on valuable insights that could improve your professional and personal life.  [Download the Full Story PDF]   Stay informed, stay empowered and make the most of your benefits with Benefits Buzz! Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for monthly updates and never miss out on the latest in benefits news.  Questions?...

The IRS released its annual inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) for the 2026 calendar year (Revenue Procedure 2025-19). If your organization offers an HDHP with an HSA, now is the time to review these updates and prepare for open enrollment.  [Download the full PDF here]  What’s changing in 2026  The HSA contribution limit is increasing to $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage.  The HDHP minimum deductible will rise to $1,700 for self-only and $3,400 for family coverage.  The HDHP out-of-pocket maximum will increase to $8,500 for self-only and $17,000 for family coverage.  The HSA catch-up contribution for individuals age 55+ remains unchanged at $1,000.  Why it matters  Employers sponsoring HDHPs should review their plan designs to ensure compliance with these new limits. Now is also a good time to update employee communications so that workers can take full ...

Prescription drug spending in the United States continues to rise sharply. According to a new report from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) , U.S. prescription drug spending reached nearly $806 billion in 2024 (an increase of 10.2% compared to 2023).  [Download the full PDF report]   The main driver behind this growth?   Medications, used to treat diabetes and obesity, have seen rapid adoption and high utilization across many populations. In 2025, several factors continue to impact prescription drug spending:  Tariffs on pharmaceutical ingredients , especially those sourced from China, may lead to shortages and drive patients toward more expensive brand-name medications.  Oncology drug spending is expected to grow as new high-cost treatments enter the market and the use of existing therapies expands.  Vaccine spending has declined post-pandemic , but reduced vaccination rates may contribute to rising costs in other areas of care...