COVID-19

Read Segal's guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Key Factors Impacting Health Plan Cost Trends

Our infographic reveals your health plan costs; with insights from SHAPE’s exclusive data from large U.S. health plans covering over 4 million lives.

What Are the Projected 2024 Health Plan Cost Trends?

COVID's influence on the health system has steadied, as the 2024 Segal Health Plan Cost Trend Survey anticipates ongoing plateaued cost trends.

New COVID-19 and Preventive Services Guidance for HDHPs

Learn more about the guidance and its implications for health plan sponsors.

The End of COVID-19 Emergencies

Watch our March 16 webinar on the impact of the end of the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies.

U.S. COVID-19 Emergency Declarations Will End on May 11

Get our recommended action step on what to do now before both emergencies expire.

National Public Health Emergency Extended into April 2023

Stay up to date with the public health emergency extensions and see how it affects your health plans.

The National Public Health Emergency Extended into January

See how the emergency declarations can affect your health plans.

The National Public Health Emergency Extended into October

See how the emergency extension can affect your health plans.

Health Plan News Q2 2022

Learn about how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted medical costs and utilization trends.

New Guidance on Covering Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

See what the new guidance offers to group health plans and how they can meet the safe harbor.

The National Public Health Emergency Extended into April

Stay up to date with the public health emergency extensions.

Implications of Supreme Court Rulings on Vaccine Mandates

Learn more about the vaccine mandates court rulings and its implications for employers.

Guidance on Covering Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

Get the guidance and ensure your health plans are compliant.

Moving from Resilience to Addressing External Risks Head-On

This survey report covers human capital resources needed to maintain business during the pandemic.

Vaccine Mandate for Employers with 100+ Workers

Ensure your workforce is fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 Safeguard Requirements for Federal Contractors

Learn about the guidance and how it applies to your people.

The National Public Health Emergency Extended into January

See how the emergency declarations can affect your health plans.

COBRA Guidance Related to the COVID-19 Outbreak Period

Learn about the guidance and the COBRA election and premium payment deadline extensions.

Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines and Wellness Incentives

Learn about the latest guidance on the vaccine coverage and other wellness incentives.

Guidance on HIPAA, COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace

Review the guidance and ensure your people's safety at the workplace.

How Do Americans Feel About Returning to the Office?

Survey says...

At-Home COVID-19 Tests Are a Reimbursable Medical Expense

Learn about the IRS announcement on at-home COVID-19 tests.

The National Public Health Emergency Extended into October

Stay up to date with the public health emergency extensions.

IRS Extends “Physical Presence” Relief

The use of e-signatures and video for any participant elections has been extended for another year.

Guidance on the American Rescue Plan Paid Leave Tax Credits

Find out how the new American Rescue Plan tax credits work.

HHS Extends the National Public Health Emergency into July

Stay up to date with the public health emergency extensions.

Additional Federal COVID-19 Guidance on Testing and Vaccines

Review the coverage of diagnostic testing and vaccines to ensure your benefits are being provided consistent with this federal guidance

Guidance on Extended Deadlines for Group Health Plans

Learn more about the new guidance and COVID-19 relief extension for group health plans.

HHS Extends the National Public Health Emergency into April

The COVID-19 public health emergency has been extended until April 21, 2021.

Health Plan News for Q1 2021: Pandemic Stats and More

Get the health plan news you need for Q1 2021.

Meeting the Leadership Challenges of 2020

Three pieces of advice for leaders from Segal CEO David Blumenstein as we head into a new year.

Most Plans Must Cover COVID-19 Vaccine Without Cost Sharing

All group health plans that are non-grandfathered under the ACA must cover the vaccine without cost sharing no later than January 1, 2021.

Prepare Yourself: Covering the COVID-19 Vaccine

The FDA may soon approve a vaccine. How must plan sponsors cover it?

What We Know Today: COVID-19 Vaccine Considerations

A vaccine is coming. How will it affect plan sponsors?

Guidance on Covering COVID-19 Preventive Services and Tests

Understand the new interim final rule implications and how it affects group health plans.

Combatting COVID-19-Related Alcohol and Substance Use

Both alcohol and substance use remain elevated above already previously concerning norms

Another National Public Health Emergency Extension

The COVID-19 public health emergency has been extended for an additional 90 days, until January 21, 2021.

HIPAA in the Context of COVID-19: Impact on Health Plans

In this webinar, you’ll hear about how some of HIPAA's privacy and security rules have changed in light of COVID-19.

The Projected Plan Cost Impact of COVID-19

Learn our latest thinking on how the pandemic will impact health plan costs.

August 31 Extended Rollover Deadline Fast Approaching

Learn more about the extended deadline for RMD rollovers and act accordingly

How Campuses Can Save on Costs This Fall

Campuses will have to find ways to save this next semester.

With School Returning, Child Care Issues Come to Workplace

How can employers help parents manage child care during remote work?

CARES Act Relief for Single-Employer DB Plans Explained

Learn more about the relief and how it affects your plan.

HHS Extends National Public Health Emergency

Learn more about the extension and how it affects your plan.

Meeting Plan Participants' Emotional Needs During COVID-19

Learn how to protect your plan participants mental health during this pandemic.

Employers’ Flexibility Is Part of COVID Child-Care Solution

Segal's Tami Simon talks to Bloomberg Law about how employers can support their people on child-care during COVID-19.

More Retirement Plan Guidance on Distributions and Loans

Learn more about the retirement plan guidance on distributions and loans.

Summer Camp Closed? Guidance Helps Parents Take FFCRA Leave

Learn more about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act guidance

Wanted — Workers with Technical and Soft Skills

Why new normal will see an increased demand for employees who have mastered both technical and soft skills.

Using Big Data to More Accurately Calculate Longevity

Watch our webinar exploring how big data can help you create employee benefits programs that match your workforce's real needs.

COVID-19's Effect on Mortality and Pension Plans

Our webinar discussed how the pandemic has affected mortality rates and pension plans.

Priorities in Focus: Your COVID-19 Response Framework

A practical guide for your workforce priorities

Plans Not Required to Cover COVID-19 Tests in All Situations

On June 23, 2020, the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services released new answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Benefit Fund Offices: Lessons from the COVID-19 Crisis

Hosted by the organizers of Segal’s Annual IT Summit, this webinar reveals the insights learned from the pandemic.

Addressing COVID-19 Health Benefit Compliance Issues

In this webinar, our professionals help answer the questions you may have surrounding health benefit compliance and COVID-19.

Pension Plan Sponsors: Use the Pandemic to Prepare

COVID-19 presents a tremendous challenge to pension plan sponsors — as well as an opportunity.

SHRM Article: How the Pandemic Will Change the Workplace

An article in SHRM includes Tami Simon in a roundup of HR professionals on how the pandemic will change how we work.

Additional Deadline Relief for Retirement Plans

The IRS has provided additional relief for retirement plan sponsors filings and notices.

Telebehavioral Health Care Makes Sense Now More Than Ever

Virtual visits can minimize the spread of the coronavirus while facilitating access to healthcare services.

University Business Article on Pandemic and Higher Education

Segal's Scott Nostaja discusses what questions stakeholders in institutions of higher education must ask themselves to move forward.

Governmental Health Plans and Extended Deadlines

New guidance clarifies the impact of the guidance on non-federal government health plans.

New Flexibility for Cafeteria Plan Elections

Employers with cafeteria plans now have significant flexibility to address challenges that have arisen because of the COVID-19 public health emergency

Forbes Article on Coronavirus' Impact on Higher Education

Segal's Allison Vaillancourt weighs in on the virus' impact on institutions of higher education.

IRS FAQs on Plan Distributions and Loans Related to COVID-19

The IRS has issued guidance in the form of FAQs that clarifies the distribution and loan relief provisions made available to retirement plans

Dealing With Employee Burnout? Here’s How to Help.

Preventing burnout among your people has always been important, but with the world in the grips of a pandemic, the challenge has never been greater.

Key Workforce Strategies for Coping with the COVID-19 Crisis

Watch our webinar to learn how your institution of higher education can not only survive the current moment, but thrive in the post-pandemic world.

COVID-19’s Impact on Short-Term Disability Plan Costs

Read about how our new model can help you predict the pandemic's effect on costs.

Health and Disability Plan Deadlines Extended

The Departments of Labor (DOL) and Treasury, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

DOL Filing Deadlines & Fiduciary Relief for Retirement Plans

Fiduciaries and administrators of private sector retirement plans will be relieved to learn that the Department of Labor has issued guidance in respon

How COVID-19 May Affect People in Their 20s

Young people can't avoid how the coronavirus has already changed everything.

Review Commercial & Voluntary Insurance in Light of COVID-19

We consider some aspects of each type of insurance your may need to review in light of COVID-19.

Impact of Furloughs and Layoffs on Corporate DB and DC Plans

During this COVID-19 public health emergency and the accompanying financial turmoil

COVID-19 Drives Digital Health Trends

One of the coronavirus' side effects is a growing acceptance of virtual care.

Answers to FAQs on COVID-19 Testing Requirements

Here are the answers to the FAQs about the new federal requirements for coverage of diagnostic testing services for COVID-19

As Organizations Go Remote, Cyber Crime is on the Rise

We consider how increased remote work due to COVID-19 may be affecting cyber liability insurance, now and in the future.

State Insurance Premium Payment Relief Related to COVID-19

In response to hardships related to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, states have begun to issue notices about new insurance

The COVID-19 Stimulus Package – What Might Be the Impact?

We explore the possible impact of the COVID-19 stimulus package for employee benefit and leave programs

Will Your Multiemployer Pension Plan Ride Out the Storm?

We take a look at what multiemployer pension plans should do to weather this crisis

How Executives Can Lead Through a Crisis

Segal's Tami Simon outlines what leaders can do to steer their organizations towards success in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

Impact of CARES Act on Health Plans

We highlight the CARES Act provisions that affect group health plans.

DOL Guidance on Paid Leave Related to COVID-19

We look at two new types of leave for governmental employers and private employers with fewer than 500 employees.

Impact of CARES Act on Retirement Plans

The CARES Act is generally immediately effective. That means there are action items plan sponsors need to consider now.

Helping Individuals Cope in Response to COVID-19

Life during a pandemic places a tremendous strain on many people's mental health. Here's what you can do to help.

What Might Be the Health Plan Cost Impact of COVID-19?

Forecast the impact of COVID-19 on your group health plan.

Managing Your Operations During the COVID-19 Crisis

Watch our webinar to hear our professionals give advice on how to manage your day-to-day operations during the coronavirus outbreak.

New Law Addresses Coronavirus Testing, FMLA and Sick Leave

A new act signed into law lays down guidelines for group health plan coverage, paid family and medical leave, and more.

How to Lead Your Organization Through the COVID-19 Crisis

Our consultants have compiled a checklist of what actions you can take to bring order to these uncertain times.

COVID-19 and the Investment Environment

The Investment Brief looks at what we know and what questions investors should be asking.

Group Health Plans and COVID-19: What You Need to Know

We cover some frequently asked questions about the coronavirus and group health plans.

Preparing Your Workforce for the Coronavirus: Guidance

We cover some frequently asked questions about the coronavirus and its impact on the workforce.

ERISA-governed Funds: Reimbursing Cancelled Travel?

Can ERISA-governed multiemployer welfare funds reimburse trustees for unused travel expenses outside of a refund policy but due to COVID-19?

How Multiemployer Funds Should Talk about the Coronavirus

Read on to discover what you need to tell your participants about the ongoing pandemic.

Coronavirus Test Coverage and Group Health Plans

State insurance commissioners have issued directives to implement modifications to existing insurance regulations in light of COVID-19.

Medicare Telehealth Expansion in COVID-19 Spending Law

The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020 provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies.

Segal Benz: What to Tell Employees about the Coronavirus

Segal Benz's communication professionals share tips on how employers should be talking to employees about the coronavirus pandemic.

Segal's Jennifer Benz on the Coronavirus and the Workforce

She spoke to Employee Benefit News about how the coronavirus is bringing a focus on remote conferencing and telemedicine options.

Segal Marco Advisors Quoted in Forbes Article on Coronavirus

Tim Barron talks about the impact of the virus in Asia.

What You Need to Know about the New Coronavirus

Employers should take these actions to protect their workplaces and homes.