Author: MDG Benefits Admin
Breaking Barriers: Increasing Employee Utlization of Mental Health Benefits
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Over the past several years, mental health in the United States has steadily declined. Growing concerns about this issue have increased the pressure on employers to provide stronger mental health benefits. Although many organizations have expanded their mental health offerings, utilization among employees remains low. When these resources go unused, employees who could benefit miss…
Empowering the Next Generation: Making Benefits “Easy” for Young Employees
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Health Insurance today is significantly more complex for young workers than it was just a decade ago. This complexity is driven in large part by healthcare costs that have outpaced inflation, pushing premiums, copays, and other out-of-pocket expenses to comprise substantial portions of their budgets. For many younger employees, navigating this landscape is confusing –…
Mastering Open Enrollment: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Open enrollment doesn’t have to be a stressful administrative task. When planned well in advance, it becomes a valuable opportunity to review and enhance your benefits offerings, demonstrating your commitment to your team’s physical, mental, and financial well-being. A well-executed open enrollment can boost employee morale, improve retention, and ensure your workforce is supported. Use…
Preparing for Open Enrollment: Common Questions and Answers
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As open enrollment season approaches, it’s never too early to start preparing so that you can make educated choices on benefits enrollment for the upcoming year. This annual window offers the opportunity to enroll in, change or update coverage options such as health insurance, dental plans, and voluntary benefits like life and disability insurance. The…
2026 Medical Cost Outlook
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PwC’s latest annual analysis forecasts that group health insurance costs will increase by 8.5% in 2026—the third straight year at this elevated trend. This sustained rise means health care expenses are now similar to those seen 15 years ago, after a brief dip post-pandemic. Researchers gathered data from actuaries at 24 major U.S. health plans,…
Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Benefit
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Medicare Part D is a voluntary prescription drug program available to Medicare beneficiaries. To encourage employers to continue offering prescription drug benefits to Medicare-eligible retirees, Medicare provides an employer subsidy through the Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) program. The RDS is available to certain employers that sponsor group health plans providing retiree drug coverage. Eligible retirees…
Benefits 101: A Guide to PPO Plans
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When navigating the world of health insurance, you will likely encounter the term PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). A PPO plan – whether medical or dental – is about balancing the cost and convenience of care. With a PPO plan, you get the flexibility to see a wide range of doctors. You’ll save money by staying…
Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before Oct. 15, 2025
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Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable. Plan sponsors must provide the annual disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible individuals before Oct. 15, 2025—the…
Navigating Your Health Plan: A Guide to Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
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Ever found a confusing document in your mailbox after a doctor’s visit, wondering if it’s a bill, especially with an “amount you owe” at the bottom? You’re not alone! That document is most likely an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your health insurance company. It’s crucial to remember: an EOB is NOT a bill. Think…
Pay-or-Play Affordability Percentage Will Increase for 2026
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On July 18, 2025, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2025-25 to index the contribution percentage in 2026 for determining the affordability of an employer’s health plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2026, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable under the ACA’s “pay-or-play” rules if the employee’s required contribution for…