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Employee Benefit News for School, City and County Employers

Steve Smith

Steve Smith is a powerhouse of energy, living by the mantra "work hard, play hard." As an expert in uniting teams for a greater purpose, Steve's innovative and creative strategies in employee health and wellness are game-changers. With over 25 years of expertise in health insurance, covering compliance, cost mitigation, utilization, analytics, wellness plans, and strategic planning, Steve is the go-to expert for driving down utilization trends and fostering a culture of well-being. His clients trust him to deliver exceptional results, making him an invaluable asset in the industry. As an Employee Benefits Consultant, Steve specializes in health care consulting for Minnesota public sector organizations including fully insured, self-insured, and stop-loss plans. Steve is a licensed insurance agent and holds the designations for Managed Healthcare Professional (The Health Insurance Association of America), Certified Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Professional (National Association of Health Underwriters), and Group Benefits Disability Specialist (Hartford School of Insurance).

Recent Articles by Steve Smith

CMS Finalizes New Simplified Method for 2026 Coverage Credibility

1.5 minute read

On April 7, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Final Part D Redesign Program Instructions for 2026, detailing changes from the Inflation Reduction...

Public Health Commission Established

1.5 minute read

President Trump recently signed an executive order and established the Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to...

Avoid Common Health Plan Compliance Mistakes

5 minute read

Employers with group health plans face numerous federal compliance requirements, which can be difficult to manage. Mistakes may lead to penalties or legal issues. Regularly reviewing...

HHS Announces Medicare Price Talks for 15 Drugs

1.5 minute read

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has selected 15 more drugs to Medicare Part D price negotiations. Drug companies have until February 28 to join, with talks...

FAQs Provide New Guidance on Gag Clause Attestation Requirement

2 minute readThe Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury (Departments) recently issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the implementation of several federal...

2025 PCORI Fee

1 minute read

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-83 to increase the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee to $3.47 per average covered life for plan years ending between October 1,...

2025 Health Cost Drivers

3.5 minute read

Health care costs are expected to rise significantly in 2025, with projections indicating a 7%-8% increase. Large employers foresee a 7.8% rise, while others estimate an 8% median...

ACA Reporting Penalties for 2026 Filings

1 minute read

IRS Revenue Procedure 2024-40 updates penalties for non-compliance with Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirements under Code Sections 6055 and 6056, affecting 2025 returns and 2026...

Employers Redesign Plans to Cut Health Costs

1 minute read

The 2024 Best Practices in Healthcare Survey by WTW reveals that rising healthcare costs are prompting over 51% of U.S. employers to redesign plans for affordability, focusing on new...

Gag Clause Attestation Due by End of Year

1 minute read

Starting in 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) bans health plans and insurers from using gag clauses in contracts that limit sharing information on provider prices...