Court Rules ERISA Plans Can’t Exclude Autism

A California court ruled that a company with an ERISA plan covering autism, cannot limit coverage for the therapies that applied to that condition. The court determined that an employer who had an ERISA plan that covered autism but limited treatments was in breach of the Parity Act which says that companies may exclude coverage for an entire condition (such as autism), but it cannot exclude coverage for the particular treatments for that condition. Read more.

Source: JD Supra

Telehealth Users Report Higher Satisfaction with Health Plans

According to J.D. Power, 36 percent of private health plan members reported using telehealth services last year, this was up from nine percent the year before.

In addition, more members reported using digital platforms such as the web, mobile app, or text message to connect with their health plan. This improvement in communication also led to an increase in trust and satisfaction—especially in younger generations. Older users did not see any increase in engagement with their health plan. Read more.

Source: HealthCare Innovation

2021 SIIA Conference

SIIA recently announced that the 2021 conference will be October 3-5 in Austin, Texas, and will be both virtual and in-person. The in-person event will feature meetings, networking, receptions, and an exhibit.
The virtual components will include networking luncheons, a virtual exhibition hall, private messaging with other attendees, and chat rooms. Both platforms will include pre-recorded sessions and live sessions. You can get more information at the SIIA conference website.

Reasons to Provide Better Vision Benefits

Vision benefits are usually part of the medical benefit plan, however, historically, the plans offered to employees have limited coverage which results in fewer employees using the benefit. But vision care is important and can affect your bottom line.

Several reasons to provide better vision include:

1. Incentive to stay in the job. Vision benefits can be a deal-breaker for some employees who need the coverage.

2. Vision care is expensive for employees, and vision plans often don’t cover the entire cost (or just a fraction) of glasses. Most employees don’t have enough money saved to cover this expense so they go without.

3. Vision care is underutilized. Only 25% of employees use the yearly exam benefit and even less use insurance for glasses or contacts.

4. Traditional plans don’t cover blue-light blocking or anti-glare glasses for employees which can lead to eye strain, and insomnia.

5. An increased use of screens and the headaches, fatigue and lack of focus that accompanies that can decrease productivity.

6. The cost of underutilized benefits to employers is in the billions because of a lack of choices, or knowledge of how to maximize benefits.

7. You can save money as a company with a low-cost booster which increases access to glasses, contacts, and exams.

You can read the full article here.

Source: Benefitnews.com

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