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Markets in Focus :: General Q1 2023

COVID-19 caused a quick shift in the insurance industry in a number of ways. Technology is now more essential than ever in order for companies to run smoothly utilizing a virtual workspace.¹ As a result of the low-interest rates, demand for liquidity and the possibility of unexpected occurrences, organizations are being forced to modify their practices and specialize their insurance programs.

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Risk in Focus :: Advanced Manufacturing Q1 2023

RISK in Focus is an overview to show recent risks in the workplace, on the jobsite and throughout the world.
A comprehensive review of hazards that contribute to the risks are spelled out to help you learn and avoid these hazards for yourself and your company.

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Washington Partnership Access Line Fund

The Partnership Access Line (“PAL”) is actually four services that assist healthcare providers in the management of their patients’ psychiatric needs and connecting their patients to care and support. In 2020, the Washington legislature passed a bill that established the WAPAL Fund and directed the Health Care Authority (HCA) to collect a quarterly assessment fee from Washington health carriers and self-insured plans based on the number of covered lives in their plans which would go toward funding the PAL program services.

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Telemedicine & HSA Relief Included in 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA)

Earlier this week, Congress released the language of their year-end government funding bill, 2023 CAA, which included a two-year extension of this telehealth relief for HSA participants. The 2023 CAA bill has now been signed into law.

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New Guidance and Delayed Enforcement for Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC)

On the eve of the requirement for employer sponsored health plans and health insurance carriers to submit prescription drug cost reporting data, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments), issued new guidance, and provided a submission grace period through January 31, 2023.

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Paid Leave Oregon – Model Notice Posting Deadline and Tax Guidance

Parker, Smith & Feek would like to remind employers about the OR PFML requirement deadline that is approaching on January 1st, 2023. Employers who have workers in OR should be aware of this important deadline approaching.

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Markets in Focus :: Hotels & Casinos Q4 2022

The fifty most valuable hospitality brands lost almost a third of their value in 2021 due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, but in 2022 financials are trending back toward their to a pre-pandemic pace.

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Property market outlook: Insurance rates rising for catastrophe-exposed properties

Rounding the corner of 2022 into 2023, the property market outlook is a little greyer. While we progressed through 2022 with slight decreases in rates, depending on the operations and geographic location, Hurricane Ian sent shock waves through the market.

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Markets in Focus :: Real Estate Q4 2022

Without question, the most significant insurance market impact of late 2022 was Hurricane Ian, with insured losses upward of $60B. Ian impacted the Southwest Florida coast on September 28, as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 115 mph and a storm surge of 10-15 feet.

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Markets in Focus :: Restaurants and Drinking Places Q4 2022

While the restaurant and drinking place sector struggled as a whole during the pandemic, the expansion of some specific service channels during this period softened the blow for some.

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Markets in Focus :: Technology Q4 2022

The AI market is projected to grow to a $190 billion industry by 2025 with global spending on cognitive and AI systems to reach over $57 billion in 2023. Read more from our latest Markets in Focus :: Technology report.

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Markets In Focus :: Cannabis Q3 2022

The cannabis industry continues to grow and attract attention from investors, manufacturers & researchers alike. Here’s what you should know as the cannabis market continues to change.

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