The foods and beverages you consume have a significant impact on your health. In fact, 60% of adults have one or more diet-related chronic diseases.

The newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025) offers science-based nutrition advice to develop healthy eating habits and reduce chronic disease risk. For the first time, this edition provides recommendations by life stage, from birth through older adulthood.

The latest guidance provides four overarching guidelines that encourage healthy eating patterns and recognize that individuals will need to make shifts in their food and beverage choices to achieve a healthy pattern. Make every bite count and consider the following:

1. Follow a healthy dietary pattern at every life stage. Dietary needs and recommendations vary based on your age, sex and stage of life. Review the guidelines to ensure that you and your loved ones—whether they’re infants, children, teens, adults or elderly—are following a healthy diet.
2. Customize your foods and beverages to reflect personal preferences, cultural traditions and budgets. A healthy dietary pattern can benefit all people regardless of age, race, ethnicity or current health status.
3. Focus on meeting food group needs with nutrient-dense foods and beverages, while staying within calorie limits. Nutrient-dense foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, without too much added sugars, saturated fats and sodium.
4. Limit foods and beverages high in added sugars, saturated fats and sodium. Be mindful of the nutritional facts of the foods and beverages you consume—including alcohol. Men should limit alcohol to two drinks a day and women should consume no more than one drink per day.

Everyone can benefit from a healthy eating pattern, so start simple with modest changes each day. For healthy recipes or to learn more about the current guidelines, visit MyPlate.gov.

Prioritize Your Sleep

Sleep is just as important as nutrition and exercise to help you function at your best. But when you’re juggling work, kids and everyday life, a good night’s sleep may seem unattainable. In fact, 35% of people feel they don’t get enough sleep.

Adults need seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. In honor of World Sleep Day on March 19, consider the following tips to prioritize your sleep:

• Avoid drinking caffeine within six hours of bedtime.
• Stop watching television and using your phone and other electronic devices for at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine to help your brain unwind and recognize that it’s time to sleep.
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.

If you’re regularly feeling tired upon waking up, or throughout the day, you may be experiencing some underlying issues. Talk to your doctor about any concerns. Read More

Properly Cleaning Your Earbuds

Listen up! Earbud use can lead to health issues such as excessive earwax, ear pain, ringing in the ears or infections. Dirt, debris and sweat can build up over time, so it’s important to clean earbuds after each use. Cleaning can also maintain sound quality and extend the life of your earbuds.

First, disconnect your earbuds. Then consider the following cleaning options:

• Soft cloth—If you have single-piece earbuds, slightly dampen a cloth with fresh water and wipe clean.
• Alcohol wipes—To clean and disinfect earbuds, use an alcohol wipe.
• Soap and water—A simple solution of antibacterial soap and warm water paired with a soft cloth work well. If you need something more potent, use rubbing alcohol.
• Small brush—A clean toothbrush or cotton swab can clean mesh grilles and other small grooves.

After cleaning your earbuds, allow them to dry completely before placing in a storage bag or case. If you’re experiencing ear pain, talk to your doctor.

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued guidance on mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The guidance is intended to inform employers and workers in settings outside of health care of the risks of being exposed to or contracting COVID-19 at work. This guidance is meant to help employers and workers determine appropriate COVID-19 control measures for the workplace.

Guidance Purpose

OSHA released this guidance to help employers plan their COVID-19 prevention and mitigation procedures. With this guidance, OSHA is suggesting that employers should implement COVID-19 prevention programs. According to OSHA, the most effective programs engage workers and their union or representatives in the program’s development. The guidance covers the following:

• Hazard assessments;
• Measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 (roles of employers and workers and training on COVID-19);
• Isolation or separation measures of infected workers from the workplace (physical distancing, installing barriers or staying home);
• Use of personal protective equipment; and
• Improvements in ventilation, hygiene and sanitation measures.

OSHA will continue to update the guidance over time as new developments arise. OSHA intends to include additional situation- and industry-specific guidance in the future.

Employer Takeaway

Employers should review this new guidance carefully and implement any new recommendations as applicable. In addition, employers should continue to monitor the OSHA website for any changes in COVID-19 best practices and standards. Read More

On Feb. 18, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-15 to clarify special rules for Section 125 plans, health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) and dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs).

Special Rules for Health FSAs and DCAPs

The Notice is intended to clarify the application of special rules for health FSAs and DCAPs under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). The CAA provides flexibility for carryovers of unused amounts, extends the time period for incurring claims, allows post-termination reimbursements from health FSAs and provides special rules for dependents who “age out” of DCAP coverage during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Notice provides details and examples regarding these rules.

Section 125 Mid-year Election Changes

The Notice’s relief for mid-year Section 125
plan elections for plan years ending in 2021 is similar to prior guidance for 2020. Section 125 plans may allow employees to make or revoke election changes in certain circumstances.

The Notice clarifies that employers can decide how long to allow mid-year election changes with no change in status during the plan year and can limit the number of election changes during the plan year that are not associated with a change in status.

Over-the-Counter Drugs

The Notice also provides relief with respect to plan amendments expanding reimbursable expenses for health FSAs and HRAs to include over-the-counter drugs and menstrual care products. Amendments to these plans must normally be made on a prospective basis, but these amendments may allow these reimbursements beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2020.

Wellness Incentive Proposed Regulations Withdrawn

On Feb. 12, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) withdrew two proposed rules it previously issued in January 2021 on wellness programs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA).

Overview of the Proposed Rules
The proposed rules were issued in response to a federal court decision vacating part of prior EEOC rules describing the incentives an employer could offer as part of a wellness program in certain circumstances. The proposed rules would have generally allowed only de minimis incentives to be offered for wellness program participation. Exceptions allowing larger incentives would
Withdrawal
have applied to health-contingent wellness programs that are part of, or qualify as, group health plans under the ADA rules.

These proposed rules were withdrawn because they were not published by Jan. 20, 2021, the time of President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Upon inauguration, the President issued a memorandum requiring all agencies to immediately withdraw any proposed rules that had not yet been published. As a result, the next steps for these proposed rules are currently under consideration. Read More

In 2019, the United States spent nearly $370 billion on prescription drugs, keeping trend with significant increases year over year. Although prescription drug spending has historically been a small proportion of national health care costs compared to hospital and physician services, it has grown rapidly in recent years—comprising about 10% of national health care spending. Below are the two major factors contributing to the rise of prescription drug costs:

• Influx of specialty drugs—Specialty medications account for a smaller portion of U.S. prescriptions than non-specialty drugs, yet they command nearly half of the pharmaceutical market. In 2021, experts predict an 11.5% increase in specialty drug prices, compared to a 2.8% rise in non-specialty drug prices. These manufacturer price increases are often cited by insurers as reasons for rising insurance premiums.
• Price inflation—According to a Segal report, 40% of new products recently launched by drug manufacturers were specialty medications. These drugs are now being pushed at a higher rate than non-specialty drugs, contributing to price inflation. Specialty drug utilization increased by nearly 6% in 2020, whereas non-specialty drug usage remained relatively the same. And there is little recourse for anyone seeking an alternative to these specialty drugs.

Yet, despite these trends, there are cost-cutting strategies available to employers. These include managing drug usage, utilizing rebates and educating employees. Reach out to Deutsch & Associates, LLC to learn more about these and other budgetary tactics.

3 Voluntary Benefits Trends to Watch in 2021

Voluntary benefits have always been great tools for rounding off employee benefits offerings. And that value isn’t lost on employers—at least 50% offer some sort of voluntary benefits, according to an Alera Group report. Employers can expect to see voluntary benefits grow in these three key areas in 2021:

1. Expanded offerings such as eldercare and critical illness insurance
2. A focus on financial wellness, including budget counseling and financial planning
3. Greater customization, allowing employees to pick and choose what’s best for them

Voluntary benefits include dental, vision, critical illness, pet insurance and similar offerings that are paid for partially by employees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, having additional benefits options like these could be exactly what employees need. Specifically, these trends indicate employees want more control over the benefits that are important to them.

Reach out to Deutsch & Associates, LLC to learn how to help employees maximize their voluntary benefits. Read More