Warmest holiday wishes from all of us at eBen | Risk Strategies.
This year brought an exciting new chapter as we joined the Brown & Brown team, opening the door to more ways to support your success and more reasons to celebrate.
Here’s to a joyful holiday season and a successful 2026 together.
PCORI Fee Updated for 2026 Plan Years
The IRS has increased PCORI fees to $3.84 per covered life for plan years ending on or after October 1, 2025. Employers with self-funded plans must calculate and file fees using IRS Form 720 by July 31, 2026. Fully insured employers may still owe a fee if sponsoring separate HRAs or non-excepted Health FSAs, and should confirm filing responsibilities early.
Understanding EOBs: Closing the Gap Between Coverage &
Understanding Costs
Benefits enrollment is often viewed as the finish line. HR teams work hard to get everyone signed up, and once the forms are in, it’s assumed the job is done. But for employees using those benefits, the real challenge is just beginning. New industry data highlights a significant issue in healthcare: the Explanation of Benefits (EOB), intended to provide transparency, is instead confusing, undermining employee morale, and adding to HR’s workload.
Imputed Income: What Employers Need to Know
As you prepare to issue 2025 W-2s, it’s a good time to review a detail that often leads to confusion for both payroll teams and employees: imputed income. Simply put, imputed income is the value of certain employer-provided benefits that the IRS considers taxable, even though the employee doesn’t receive actual cash. This amount must be added to taxable wages and reported on the W-2.
The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Sleep
Sleep isn’t a luxury; it is a medical necessity. New data reveals that 54-61% of employees with chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease have untreated sleep issues. Addressing this gap reduces hospitalizations and cuts costs by nearly $2,800 per member annually. It is time to integrate sleep care into your broader health strategy.
