DSP Insurance Insights

Overview of the New Requirement

Illinois House Bill 1697 introduces a new annual fee tied to prescription drug benefits, and many employers will begin seeing this charge in 2026. Most Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS of IL) health plans use BCBS of IL’s subsidiary, Prime Therapeutics, as its pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), and this update applies directly to those plans. Under the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, PBMs are required to pay the State of Illinois fifteen dollars per covered individual who is enrolled in pharmacy benefits and lives in Illinois. This includes both employees and dependents. BCBS of IL & Prime Therapeutics will pay the fee to the state fund, and BCBS of IL will pass the cost through to employer groups that fall under the law.

Winter is here, and with it comes one of the season’s biggest headaches for homeowners: ice dams. These ridges of ice form when warm air inside your home melts the snow on your roof, only for that melted snow to refreeze at the edges. Once that happens, the water behind the ice has nowhere to go. Eventually, it works its way under shingles and into your home, causing stains, leaks, warped materials, and costly frustration.

It’s a common winter issue in the Midwest, but the question we hear most often is simple: Does homeowners insurance cover this? In many cases, yes.

Every year, OSHA publishes a list of the most frequently cited safety standards. It gives us a clear look at where employers are falling short and where workers are getting hurt. According to the latest data released by Safety and Health Magazine, Fall Protection, General Requirements, is once again the most cited standard for 2025 with 5,914 violations.
(Source: Safety and Health Magazine )

The recent federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, put millions of Americans under financial strain and uncertainty. For small businesses especially those tied to federal contracts or funding the impact was significant.

Many business owners found themselves asking:

“Does my insurance cover losses from a government shutdown?”

The short answer is usually not, but the details matter.

As construction projects grow more complex and owners demand longer warranty coverage, maintenance bonds are playing an increasingly important role in contract negotiations. Contractors who understand how these bonds work and how to manage their impact on surety capacity and cost are better positioned to protect their business and maintain strong relationships with both owners and sureties.

The IRS has announced new inflation-adjusted limits for flexible spending accounts (FSAs) beginning in 2026, giving employees more room to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical and dependent care expenses. These updates, along with a major legislative change from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act, make 2026 an important year for benefit planning. For employees, these changes translate to greater flexibility and potential tax savings. For employers, they mean updated plan limits, new communication needs, and an opportunity to highlight valuable benefits.

When temperatures drop, there’s nothing like the comfort of a warm fire, whether it’s in your living room or out in the backyard. Fireplaces, wood stoves, and fire pits can create cozy moments and great memories, but they also come with responsibilities. A few simple precautions can help prevent accidents and keep your home, family, and guests safe.

Running a school is hard work. Every dollar matters. Every staff member matters even more.

In early childhood education, whether practiced like Montessori, Waldorf or others, benefits are not just a nice-to-have. They are the difference between keeping great teachers and losing them to other jobs. The right benefits strategy helps you manage costs, keep your people, and give families the consistency they expect.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent, odorless, and colorless gas that can be deadly if not detected early. Often called the "invisible killer," it’s produced by burning fuels like gas, wood, charcoal, or oil in devices such as heaters, stoves, or vehicles. Understanding CO risks and taking preventive measures can save lives. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

In the construction industry, accurate financial reporting is more than a compliance requirement, it is the foundation of trust with surety partners. Among the most critical components of contractor financials are the Work in Process (WIP) schedule and the Completed Contracts (CC) schedule. These schedules do more than just list projects; they provide visibility into the accuracy of job costing, estimating practices, and overall financial health of the business.