Heads up healthcare professionals and group health plan administrators!   The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced significant increases in civil penalties for Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC), Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) and HIPAA violations as of Aug. 8. These adjustments, made to keep up with inflation, underscore the importance of complying with federal requirements.  The stakes have never been higher. Whether you're navigating adjustments in penalties ranging from $1,406 to $71,162, or ensuring your compliance protocols are airtight, this update is critical for anyone managing group health plans.  Dive into the full post to get a comprehensive overview of these changes, understand how they could impact your organization and learn how to safeguard against potential violations. Don’t wait — download the full story now to stay ahead of the curve !  Have questions? Contact us  TruePlan Benefit and Retirement Advisors focus...

With 2024 right around the corner, ongoing inflation will likely mean higher employer healthcare costs in the new year. A report released by Aon , a global professional services firm, predicted 2024 employer healthcare costs will grow by 8.5%, totaling more than $15,000 per employee. This figure nearly doubles what Aon reported in 2023. Meanwhile, the Business Group on Health’s 2024 Large Employer Health Care Strategy Survey predicted a 6% increase . While this is 2.5% less than Aon’s report, both predict a potentially sizable increase in healthcare costs. In this article, we’ll explore the four primary drivers of healthcare costs and ways that employers plan to manage them. Driver #1: Mental health challenges The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on mental health continues. Many employees still have symptoms related to depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. This is echoed in the findings from the Business Group on Health survey: Three-quarters of employers (77%) reported an increa...