Leonard Cavender – Inspire Workforce

MLR Rebates: What They Are, Why They Matter, and What Brokers & Employers Must Know

ACA Compliance, Benefits Administration, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Consulting / By Leonard Cavender

Inspire Workforce August 25, 2025 An MLR rebate check shows up—it looks simple at first, but beneath the surface lie compliance rules, deadlines, and tax considerations. One misstep could quickly create an issue with ERISA or the Department of Labor. This is where the right guidance makes all the difference. For employers, handling rebates …

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The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is Now Law: Key Benefit Changes for Employers

Benefits Administration, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Consulting, HR Management / By Leonard Cavender

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)—a sweeping legislative package that includes several important updates impacting employer-sponsored benefit plans. These changes offer both new opportunities and compliance considerations for employers beginning in 2025 and beyond. Below is a summary of the most relevant employee benefits provisions to help …

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Medicare Part D Disclosures due by March 1, 2025 for Calendar Year Plans

Benefits Administration, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Consulting, HR Management, Uncategorized / By Leonard Cavender

Medicare Part D Disclosures due by March 1, 2025 for Calendar Year Plans Group health plan sponsors are required to complete an online disclosure form with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on an annual basis and at other select times, indicating whether the plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. This …

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Newly Passed Legislation Modifies ACA Reporting Requirements

ACA, ACA Compliance, Employee Benefits Consulting, HR Management / By Leonard Cavender

On Dec. 23, 2024, President Joe Biden signed two bills into law that will streamline the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 or 6056. Under these reporting rules, certain employers and health coverage providers (reporting entities) must provide information to the IRS about the health plan coverage they offer (or …

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Moving Beyond the Basics: How Companies Can Offer Competitive Benefits

Benefits Administration, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Consulting, HR Management, PEO Services, Workforce Management / By Leonard Cavender

To truly stand out, companies must go beyond offering only standard or legally required benefits. By expanding their offerings, employers can attract top talent and show genuine care for their workforce’s overall well-being. The Limitations of Standard Benefits Standard benefits are often assumed by prospective employees to be part of any job offer. While essential, …

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FMLA Leave May Be Used to Participate in Clinical Trials

HR Management, Time & Attendance, Workforce Management / By Leonard Cavender

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued Opinion Letter FMLA2024-01-A, stating that leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may be used by employees to participate in treatment that is part of a clinical trial. The letter was issued Nov. 8, 2024, in response …

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Summary of the 2024 Employer Health Benefits Annual Survey

Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Consulting, HR Management, Workforce Management / By Leonard Cavender

Each year, the Kaiser Family Foundation conducts a survey to examine trends in employer-sponsored health benefits. This article summarizes the main points of the 2024 Employer Health Benefits Survey. Health Insurance Premiums In 2024, the average premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance were $8,951 for single coverage and $25,572 for family coverage. The average single and …

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Key Takeaways From the DOL’s Employee Benefits Report

Benefits Administration, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Consulting, HR Management, Workforce Management / By Leonard Cavender

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently published a report examining employee benefits in the country. The estimates in the report are from the BLS’ National Compensation Survey, which measures costs and trends related to employer-provided benefits. The survey represents more than 146 million civilian workers in private industry and …

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Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before Oct. 15, 2024

Benefits Administration, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Consulting, HR Management / By Leonard Cavender

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, 2024—the start …

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DOL Updates Model Employer CHIP Notice

Benefits Administration, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Consulting, HR Management, Workforce Management / By Leonard Cavender

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), through its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), has released a new model Employer CHIP Notice with information current as of July 31, 2024. Background As a reminder, the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) imposes an annual notice requirement on employers that maintain group health plans …

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Author name: Leonard Cavender