Employee Benefits News
Upcoming Webinars
How Employers Should Handle PCORI Fees for Plan Years Ending in 2025
Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00 pm EDT
The ACA imposes a fee on employers with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or a self-insured plan to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fees. That includes employers with a Qualified Small Employer HRA (QSEHRA) or Individual coverage HRA (ICHRA). This Fee is always due by July 31 of the calendar year following the end of the plan year. For plan years ending in 2025, the PCORI fees are due by July 31, 2026.
Join our Senior Vice President of Compliance, Corbin Granger, for a webinar on the PCORI fee, completing Form 720, calculating the average number of lives, and more!
Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family and Medical Leave Are Coming to Virginia
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 2:00 - 3:00 pm EDT
Coming Soon to Virginia: New Paid Leave Laws
Two new laws - Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance - are on the horizonfor Virginia employers and employees. Join Barbara Jennings at Towne Benefits for an informative webinar to learn what these changes mean for your organization and how to prepare.
We look forward to helping you stay informed and stay compliant as these laws are phased in - and hope you can join us.
A second session is anticipated this fall.
What Employers Should Know About HIPAA Privacy
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a broad federal law that protects the privacy and security of personally identifiable health information, known as protected health information (PHI). The HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules (HIPAA Rules) apply to covered entities, including health plans and health insurance issuers, and to business associates performing functions on behalf of covered entities involving PHI.
The HIPAA Rules do not directly apply to employers or to employment-related records, even those that contain medical information. However, other federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), include confidentiality requirements for employees’ medical information.
Although employers are not directly regulated by HIPAA, the HIPAA Rules apply to them through their role as health plan sponsors. Compliance obligations vary considerably depending on whether a health plan is self-funded or fully insured and the employer’s involvement in plan administration. Employers sponsoring fully insured plans with limited access to PHI have minimal obligations, while those administering self-funded plans have more responsibilities.
This Compliance Overview provides employers with a practical step-by-step guide to understanding their HIPAA compliance obligations.
Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage: What Employees Should Know
Medicare Part D creditable coverage is an important concept for employees to understand, regardless of how far away retirement may seem. With more Americans working past age 65, navigating both employer-sponsored coverage and Medicare is becoming increasingly common. As such, being informed about this topic now can help avoid costly penalties when it’s time to transition to Medicare coverage.
Employees are encouraged to review their annual Notice of Creditable Coverage each fall and retain it for their records. Understanding whether employer-sponsored prescription drug coverage meets the Medicare creditable coverage standard is an important step in planning for a smooth transition to Medicare and in avoiding penalties that would otherwise persist throughout retirement.
Click below for more information to share with your employees about Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage.
FSA Carryover Rules Overview
If your employees contribute to a health flexible spending account (FSA), they likely know the value of setting aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses. But there's one rule that can catch employees off-guard: the use-it-or-lose-it rule. An FSA carryover, offered by individual employers, allows employees to roll a portion of their unused FSA balance into the following plan year, subject to an IRS limit.
Does your organization offer a carryover? If so, this rules overview may be a useful resource to share with your team.
HR on Mic Podcast
Our HR on Mic podcast is your source for thoughtful discussions about HR, Compliance, Benefits, and Treating People Right.
Hosted by Corbin Granger, Towne Benefits Senior Vice President of Compliance, and Barbara Jennings, Towne Benefits Human Resources Consultant, HR on Mic provides helpful information on human resources and compliance topics in short, easy-to-listen-to segments.
Our latest episode covers a range of employee benefits topics of interest to employers, including tax-deductible overtime pay, pre-tax dependent care accounts, and tuition reimbursement.