Live Well, Work Well Newsletter January 2024 combined

How to Make—and Keep—Your New Year’s Resolution As a new year begins, you may be reflecting on the • Measurable—A measurable goal is past year. This introspection is a significant first quantified. You’ll be able to see if you’re step toward selecting a New Year’s resolution to making progress as you go. For example, if help you grow as a person. Many New Year’s you want to save $500 for your emergency resolutions fail by mid-February due to a lack of fund or save for a down payment on a self-discipline, with only 1 in 5 people sticking with home, you’ll be able to track your savings them all year. That’s why setting yourself up for and prove you’re making progress along the success when choosing a resolution is important. way. • Achievable—An achievable goal is realistic and attainable. If you’ve never worked out before, a daily workout goal won’t likely be feasible or sustainable in the long run. Alternatively, if you’re already taking walks, start with increasing their duration or frequency. • Relevant—A relevant goal needs to make sense or be appropriate for you. You want Regardless of what you choose as your resolution, your goal to matter, so reflect on the past make sure it’s a “SMART” goal—one that is year about what’s working in your life and specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and what’s not. Timing is equally important, so timely—to increase the odds that you will stick to ensure this is the right time for you to it. Here’s what that means: tackle the resolution. • Specific—A specific goal is simple and • Timely—A timely goal is accomplished strategic. It’s something you can easily within a specific time frame. You can conceptualize. For example, instead of adjust this period as needed and make new saying you’ll eat healthier, be specific goals or deadlines after achieving the first about how you can actually do that (e.g., one. cook breakfast daily or eat fish twice a week). Remember that New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be health-related, so find what matters to you to help you live a better life in 2024. This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Health Benefits of Dry January As the holidays end, some people give up alcohol for “Dry January.” Makes: 6 servings The month-long wellness challenge can serve as a reset after Ingredients overindulging during the holidays or an opportunity to reassess one’s 2 lbs. stew meat (cut into 1-inch relationship with alcohol. While a month of sobriety can seem cubes) overwhelming to some, it comes with some advantages. A brief break ¼ cup all-purpose flour from moderate to heavy alcohol consumption may offer the following Salt and pepper (optional, to taste) health-related benefits: 2 cups water • Better sleep 2 tsp. beef bouillon • Increased focus 1 garlic clove (finely chopped) 3 carrots (sliced) • Improved mood 3 potatoes (diced) • Boosted energy 1 onion (chopped) • Clearer complexion 1 celery stalk (sliced) Add optional herbs as desired: bay • Potential weight loss leaf, basil and oregano Alcohol can also contribute to various health conditions, such as high Preparations blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, heart disease and certain 1. Place meat in the slow cooker. cancers. As such, a period of sobriety can positively affect one’s well- 2. Mix the flour, salt and black being and overall health. If you have any questions or concerns about pepper in a medium bowl and your alcohol consumption, talk to a health care professional. pour over the meat. Stir to coat. 3. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to mix. 4. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or for 4-6 hours on high. 5. Stir the stew thoroughly before serving. If using a bay leaf, discard it before serving. Nutritional Information (per serving) Protecting Your Skin During Winter Total calories 275 Total fat 5 g Taking care of your skin the right way can be difficult. The task can Protein 30 g seem almost impossible to achieve when the temperature and Sodium 218 mg humidity levels drop. Dry skin may not seem like the most concerning Carbohydrate 28 g health problem, but not treating dry skin can result in itchiness, Dietary fiber 4 g cracked or painful skin, eczema and dermatitis. Saturated fat 2 g This winter, you should limit how much hot water your skin is exposed Total sugars 3 g to, as hot water rapidly dries out your skin. It can help to take shorter Source: MyPlate baths and showers and use a limited amount of soap. Additionally, it’s important to moisturize properly after bathing to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Lastly, a humidifier can help keep moisture in the air. Contact your doctor if you have any skin concerns. This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Health Plans Must Expand Price Comparison Tool for 2024 Beginning in 2024, group health plans and Most employers rely on their issuers or health insurance issuers must expand the third-party administrators (TPAs) to develop internet-based price comparison tool they and maintain the price comparison tool. make available to participants, beneficiaries Employers should confirm that their issuers and enrollees so that it includes all covered and TPAs will comply with the expanded items, services and drugs. The purpose of price comparison tool requirements for the this tool is to provide consumers with real- 2024 plan year. Employers should also time estimates of their cost-sharing liability confirm that their written agreements with from different providers for covered items issuers and TPAs have been updated to and services so they can shop and compare include this compliance responsibility. In prices before receiving care. addition, self-insured employers should For plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, monitor their TPAs’ compliance with this 2023, plans and issuers were required to requirement. Unlike fully insured plans, this make price comparison information tool’s legal responsibility stays with a self- available for 500 shoppable items, services insured plan even if its service provider and drugs. For plan years beginning on or agrees to provide the price comparison tool after Jan. 1, 2024, price comparison on its behalf. information must be available for all covered items, services and drugs. IRS Requires Electronic Filing for ACA Reporting in 2024 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires file their returns electronically beginning in applicable large employers (ALEs) and 2024. A hardship waiver may be requested employers with self-insured health plans to from the electronic filing requirement by report information on their health coverage submitting Form 8508 to the IRS at least 45 to the IRS and covered individuals. days before the return’s due date. Before 2024, employers who filed fewer Employers who have filed paper returns in than 250 individual statements under the the past should explore their options for ACA’s reporting rules could file their returns electronic ACA reporting. Although on paper. However, beginning in 2024, employers can use the IRS’ AIR Program to paper filing will only be available to file their own ACA returns electronically, employers who file fewer than 10 many rely on outside vendors for electronic information returns with the IRS for the reporting due to the AIR Program’s year. Employers must aggregate most complexity. The standard deadline for information returns, such as Forms W-2 and electronic ACA reporting is March 31 each 1099, to determine if they meet the 10- year. However, since March 31, 2024, is a return threshold for mandatory electronic Sunday, electronic returns must be filed by filing. April 1, 2024. Due to this change, almost all employers subject to ACA reporting will be required to JANUARY Provided to You by 2024 Meridian Risk Management © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved

NLRB Delays Joint- terms and conditions of 3 Key Trends Driving management strategies, employer Rule Effective employment” Employer Health Care including prioritizing Date to February • Identification of the types Costs in 2024 transparent PBM practices and of control that are plan design changes to address Recently, the National Labor necessary to establish joint- All signs point to health care costly medications. Relations Board (NLRB) employer status and the costs continuing to rise in 2024. 3. Cancer Treatment announced it would push the types that are irrelevant to This article outlines the three Preventive screenings were a effective date of the new joint- the joint-employer inquiry primary drivers of health care critical health care component employer rule to Feb. 26, 2024. • Description of the costs and ways that employers disrupted during the pandemic. The final rule was published in bargaining obligations of plan to manage them. As a result, employers are the Federal Register on Oct. 27, joint employers 1. Mental Health Challenges anticipating more late-stage 2023, and was initially set to What’s Next Employees’ mental health needs cancers among workers. Cancer is become effective on Dec. 26, for concerns such as depression, one of the top drivers of health 2023. However, the agency has The law is currently facing legal care costs for most employers. In delayed the effective date by challenges. A coalition of anxiety and substance use response to rising cancer care, two months to facilitate the businesses sued the NLRB in disorder undoubtedly rose employees may encourage resolution of legal challenges federal District Court, alleging during the COVID-19 pandemic advanced screening measures and regarding the new rule. Notice the new joint-employer rule is and continue to linger amid its maintain full coverage of of the extension will be unlawful, overly broad, and aftermath. In response, recommended prevention and published in the Federal contradictory to the common- employers are expected to screening services. Register. law definition that limits joint continue to expand access to Summary employment to relationships of mental health support and The New Joint-employer actual and substantial control of services, and many plan to Heightened health care costs are Standard working conditions. provide more options for likely to continue impacting The 2023 joint-employer support and reduce cost employers for the foreseeable standard establishes new The new joint-employer barriers to care. Organizations future. Looking ahead to 2024, criteria for determining joint- standard will only be applied to may also explore manager and many employers are focusing on employer status as applied to cases filed after the rule employee training to recognize impacts related to mental health, labor issues related to the becomes effective on Feb. 26, mental health issues. medications, cancer and other National Labor Relations Act. It 2024. Employers can prepare drivers of costs, such as growing will rescind the existing 2020 for the new rule by familiarizing 2. Pharmacy Costs health care delivery models. joint-employer standard and themselves with the new In 2024, pharmacy costs will Contact us for additional replace it with a more inclusive standard and determining continue to impact employers resources. law, making it easier for whether a more inclusive joint- significantly. In addition to high- employers to be classified as employer standard will reclassify cost drugs, relationships with joint employers. Notable them as joint employers by the pharmacy benefits managers changes to the joint-employer amended effective date. (PBMs) are also a key concern standard include the following: We’ll keep you apprised of any for employers. To address rising notable updates. drug costs, employers may • Clarification of the implement pharmacy definition of “essential © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

January 2024 In the Loop 2024 Limits to Know Nearly 7% of American Adults Many bene昀椀ts plans have updated limits for the new Have Had Long COVID calendar year. Understanding these limits can help New data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease you successfully manage your 昀椀nances in the new Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for year. Review the following limits to understand how Health Statistics found that 6.9% of American adults these changes may impact you in 2024. reported having long COVID-19 in 2022, and 3.4% In 2024, 401(k) limits for pre-tax contributions will be currently had the condition at the time of the survey. $23,000, up $500 from 2023. Catch-up contributions This represents 18 million and 8.8 million Americans, will remain the same at $7,500. respectively. High deductible health plans (HDHPs) will have a What Is Long COVID? minimum deductible of $1,600 for single coverage and Long COVID occurs when individuals continue to $3,200 for family coverage. This is an increase of $100 experience COVID-19 symptoms at least four weeks and $200, respectively. Additionally, HDHPs’ maximum after infection. This condition can last weeks, months out-of-pocket costs will increase to $8,050 for single or years and includes a wide range of symptoms, coverage and $16,100 for family coverage, a $550 and including fatigue, fever, dif昀椀culty breathing, chest pain, $1,100 increase, respectively. sleep problems, dif昀椀culty thinking, and depression or anxiety. This can have adverse health and economic In 2024, health savings account limits on pre-tax con- consequences for impacted individuals. Research is tributions will increase to $4,150 for single coverage ongoing to discover what causes people to develop and $8,300 for family coverage. This is an increase of long COVID and treatment options for the condition. $300 and $550, respectively. Catch-up contributions What Does the Data Show? will remain the same at $1,000. The incidence rates of long COVID vary signi昀椀cantly Flexible spending account contribution limits will be by gender, age and race, according to the recently $3,200 in 2024, a $150 increase from 2023. released CDC data. Consider these 昀椀ndings: • Women (4.4%) were nearly twice as likely to report Contact HR for more bene昀椀ts information. long COVID than men (2.3%). • Adults aged 35-49 were the most likely to report © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

In the Loop January 2024 they had long COVID (8.9%) or currently had long COVID (4.7%) at the time of the survey. • Adults aged 50-64 were the second most likely age demographic to report long COVID. • Adults over 65 were the least likely age demographic likely to report long COVID. The CDC also found racial and ethnic differences among individuals who reported long COVID. According to the report, Hispanic adults were most likely to have had long COVID at 8.3%, followed by white adults at 7.1%, Black adults at 5.4% and Asian adults at 2.6%. White individuals were slightly more likely to report having long COVID than Hispanic adults, at 3.7% compared to 3.4%. What’s Next? Prevention plays a crucial role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and the incidence of long COVID. As COVID-19 rates begin to rise in the United States during respiratory disease season, it’s important to stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, stay home if you’re unwell, and test if you feel sick or have come into contact with an individual who has COVID-19. Visit the CDC’s website or consult a medical health professional for more information on long COVID. 2

What Happens If I Miss Open Enrollment? Missing your employer’s open enrollment deadline could result in a loss of coverage for you and your loved ones. It also means that you could be unable to make changes or enroll in benefits until the next open enrollment period. However, there are other ways you can try to obtain health insurance, including the following: Spousal benefits—You may be able to enroll in coverage through your spouse’s plan if the open enrollment period is still active. Young adult benefits under a parent’s plan—If you are younger than 26 years old, you may be able to be added as a dependent on your parent’s plan. State insurance marketplace—Depending on the timing, you can consider buying health insurance from the Health Insurance Exchange Marketplace. Medicaid—Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults. It does not have open enrollment periods, which means that you may apply at any time. Be proactive to avoid missing your employer’s open enrollment deadline. Mark deadlines on your calendar and create reminders on your phone so you do not miss open enrollment. Speak to HR for more information. What to Know About Newborn Health Coverage Welcoming a newborn into your family is a joyous occasion that also comes with significant responsibilities. You should know that your health care coverage won’t necessarily extend to your newborn. For the first 30 days, newborns are generally covered under their mother’s policies. However, this coverage ends on the 31st day after birth. Failing to add your child to your health care plan means they won’t be insured. This could leave you vulnerable to high and unexpected medical bills. Fortunately, childbirth and adoption are both qualifying life events. You can add your newborn or recently adopted child to your health care plan without waiting for open enrollment. To enroll your infant, contact HR to let them know you had a baby and would like to add them to your plan. What Is a Premium? Health insurance is a vital component of modern health care, providing individuals and families with financial protection against the high costs of medical treatment. Understanding your health insurance premium can help you manage your health care costs and plan your annual budget. A health insurance premium is the amount you must pay to keep your health insurance policy active. In return for your premium payment, your health plan covers a portion of your health care expenses as outlined in your health insurance policy, shielding you from the financial strain of costly medical expenses. The cost of your health insurance premium may vary with certain factors such as your age, medical history, gender, location, coverage type and amounts, and the number of dependents on your plan.

Contact HR to learn more about health insurance. [The information in this newsletter is intended for informational use only and should not be construed as professional advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.]