Parrott Benefit Group

09/02/2026

An ALE’s health coverage for the 2027 plan year will be considered affordable if a full-time employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage under the lowest-cost option does not exceed 10.22% of their household income.

On July 21, 2026, the IRS released the new affordability percentage under the ACA’s pay-or-play rules for plan years beginning in 2027.

09/01/2026

2027 Open Enrollment Is Coming — Are You Ready?
We’ve put together 2027 Open Enrollment Employer Resources to help employers prepare, from compliance considerations to employee communication.
Explore our resources: https://parrottbenefitgroup.com/employer-resources-2027-open-enrollment/

During the 2027 open enrollment season, employers have an opportunity to develop attractive benefits offerings and proactively communicate with employees to help them understand what’s available. The following resources outline how employers can thoughtfully kick off open enrollment efforts. Table...

08/27/2026

Employers that achieve durable savings do so through deliberate plan design, structuring benefits in ways that reduce total cost while preserving the quality of care available to their workforce.

Organizations that achieve lasting reductions in healthcare spending typically do so by combining multiple plan design strategies.

08/26/2026

AI documentation and coding tools should be treated as a real and growing factor in next year’s budget conversations. Read the full article to learn more about AI’s impact on healthcare costs—and what employers should be watching: https://parrottbenefitgroup.com/ais-impact-on-healthcare-costs/

AI is reshaping how healthcare is delivered, but early evidence shows it’s adding to costs rather than reducing them.

08/25/2026

Companies are increasingly using artificial intelligence to redesign their reward strategies, but just 16% of employers are confident that their managers can explain AI-related pay and workplace changes to employees.

With salary budgets holding steady and AI reshaping rewards, employers are looking to transparency, career growth and other benefits to retain top talent.

08/24/2026

📊 Understanding what’s driving your organization’s healthcare spend—and taking action before renewal—can help you make smarter decisions about your benefits strategy and budget.

08/21/2026

Before deciding the best course of action, benefit leaders should consider short-term and long-term cost and health impacts, as well as how to get the most out of whatever metabolic health benefits they put in place.

Multiple experts weigh in on the challenges and considerations benefit leaders need to keep in mind as they make decisions about medication coverage.

08/18/2026

Many of the biggest cost drivers in women's health are not isolated events but fragmented patterns of unmanaged care that are already producing avoidable costs within the current workforce.

Identifying patterns, building attribution and seeking accountability can help employers better manage women's care needs long term.

08/17/2026

Claims data collected throughout the year offers a clearer picture of how employees are using their benefits, where costs are concentrated, and where potential gaps in care may be emerging.

Assessed thoughtfully, claims data can be used to identify trends, evaluate benefit needs, and strengthen open enrollment communications.

08/14/2026

By aligning with updated affordability thresholds, employers can offer benefits that meet regulatory standards and deliver accessible, meaningful coverage that supports employee health and financial well-being.

Engaging communication strategies will be key to getting employees interested in evaluating benefit options and making more informed decisions.