Toolbox Talks: A Simple Way to Strengthen Safety on Construction Jobsites
Around 90% of companies in the construction industry employ 20 or fewer employees. This can make it very difficult to ensure that employees are receiving the proper safety training, since resources like time and money are often limited. Those tasked with safety compliance usually have other responsibilities, making it hard for them to dedicate the necessary time to safety. However, one easy step that can be taken is the implementation of toolbox talks
How Direct‑to‑Consumer Drug Models Could Impact Employers
The pharmaceutical industry is entering a major transformation driven by two federal pricing reforms: the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and new Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing initiatives signed in 2025. These changes will allow Medicare to negotiate lower prices on many high‑cost medications and tie U.S. drug prices more closely to those in other developed countries. As manufacturers face reduced margins and increasing pressure for price transparency, many are turning to a new strategy: selling medications directly to consumers at cash prices. While this trend is largely aimed at patients, it’s poised to have ripple effects on employer-sponsored health plans.
Changes to Medicare Creditable Coverage in 2026: what you need to know
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) significantly impacted Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and these changes are rippling through employer-sponsored health plans. Employers need to be aware of the new rules to ensure compliance and support their Medicare-eligible employees.
The core of the change: Higher Part D Value
- Increased Out-of-Pocket Cap: Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have their annual out-of-pocket costs capped at $2,100 in 2026 (an increase from the $2,000 cap in 2025).
- Impact on Employer Plans: This increased value of standard Part D benefits means that employer-sponsored prescription drug plans may need to provide richer coverage to be considered "creditable" – meaning the actuarial value of the employer's plan is at least as good as the Part D standard. Some plans that were previously considered creditable may not be in 2026 due to these changes to Medicare Part D.
OSHA Clarifies Recordkeeping Rules for Injuries Involving Personal Lithium-Ion Batteries
On January 20, 2026, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a formal interpretation addressing whether injuries caused by personal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries brought into the workplace must be recorded on the OSHA 300 Log. There are several key takeaways listed below:
Toolbox Talks: A Simple Way to Strengthen Safety on Construction Jobsites
Around 90% of companies in the construction industry employ 20 or fewer employees. This can make it very difficult to ensure that employees are receiving the proper safety training, since resources like time and money are often limited. Those tasked with safety compliance usually have other responsibilities, making it hard for them to dedicate the necessary time to safety. However, one easy step that can be taken is the implementation of toolbox talks
How Direct‑to‑Consumer Drug Models Could Impact Employers
The pharmaceutical industry is entering a major transformation driven by two federal pricing reforms: the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and new Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing initiatives signed in 2025. These changes will allow Medicare to negotiate lower prices on many high‑cost medications and tie U.S. drug prices more closely to those in other developed countries. As manufacturers face reduced margins and increasing pressure for price transparency, many are turning to a new strategy: selling medications directly to consumers at cash prices. While this trend is largely aimed at patients, it’s poised to have ripple effects on employer-sponsored health plans.
OVD Shareholder Announcement
OVD is thrilled to announce the addition of four new shareholders: Jordan Shillinger, Kyle Teeples, Sean Teeples, and Steve Binnig as well as expanded positions for current shareholders Jonathan Broyles, Rebekah Van Beek, and Will Collins
Construction First Aid Kits
The construction industry has one of the highest injury and fatality rates of any industry. This is one of the reasons that construction sites are legally required to have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand. However, the standards can be vague and don’t always give specific guidance on what should be in the kit. Below, we’ve broken down both the standards governing these kits, and the meaning behind the classification and type, to help provide some clarity on an issue that every construction company deals with.
GLP-1 Pill: What Employers Need to Know About Costs, Coverage, and Outcomes
The GLP-1 race is stepping to the next level, and in late December, the FDA approved the first GLP-1 pill from Novo Nordisk for weight loss and maintenance. This Wegovy (semaglutide) pill just recently hit the shelves, with competitor versions, like those from Eli Lilly, soon to follow.
2026 IRS Benefit Updates - Key Highlights
The IRS has released its 2026 benefit updates, bringing several contribution limit increases and compliance considerations for employers. Below is a snapshot of the most important changes HR and benefits teams should review to ensure plans, payroll, and employee communications are aligned for the year.
Winter Storm Preparedness: Severe Snow and Ice
Recent forecasts indicate a major winter storm is expected to sweep across a vast portion of the central and eastern U.S. this weekend, bringing with it heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and dangerously cold conditions. Ice accumulations and snow can create slippery travel conditions, downed power lines, infrastructure stress, and business interruptions, all of which increase liability and operational risk.
2026 Regulatory Checklist
With a full list of regulatory benchmarks to meet, we’re here to help. Below is a curated list of key deadlines and reminders covering everything from OSHA to general workforce compliance requirements. Be sure to review any applicable local or state regulations, as deadlines and obligations may vary. If you have questions about any of these benchmarks, please reach out to your OVD advisor for guidance.
Career Case Study | Austin
Meet Austin - Select Business Manager Austin joined OVD in August 2015 in a claims position and transitioned to the small SBU team in 2017, where he helped service and sell small accounts. As the company grew, so did his responsibilities, and in 2023, he stepped into the Manager role for SBU.
Career Case Study | Rebekah
Meet Rebekah - Employee Benefits & Managing PartnerRebekah joined OVD in 2013, initially planning to go part-time, she took on the responsibility of managing Employee Benefits SBU and working on special projects, particularly around the Affordable Care Act and how the company could support clients through the new regulations.
OVD Success Stories: Personal Issues
An OVD Personal Lines Agent created a consistent line of communication to provide the best pricing, coverage, and service.
OVD Case Study: ACA Compliance Support
ACA Compliance Resolutions save client $600,000 in avoided penalties
OVD Case Study: Contractor Business
Contractor implements safety & compliance action plan ⎯ saves $3M worth of contracts
Manufacturing Dividend
Business Issue
OVD engaged a large manufacturing company with a plan to address their adverse experience mod. Themanufacturer had been with the same agent for over 20 years and had an experience mod of over 1.60for the last 7 of those years. Looking for a fresh approach to claims and risk management, the manufacturerdecided to partner with OVD.
Action Plan
The OVD team worked closely with the client's senior leadership team to develop a plan focused onreversing the trend of increasing workers' compensation costs. The plan included:
New Operation Avoids Unnecessary Expenses
Business Issue
After recently acquiring the divested assets of an automotive components manufacturer, the new management team felt the service level from their large national insurance broker start to decline. At their first renewal, they were hit with a 110% price increase on their property line. The broker blamed the market and advised them to spend more than $350,000 on sprinkler upgrades. Less than a year after acquiring the operation, the team was facing $420,000 of unexpected expenses.
Fire Safety
Background
A multi-state client that is a large restaurant group rolled out Ascend in 2019 with a focus on using the incidents and claims module. Since that rollout, they have seen the benefit using that module and have also deployed the other two modules - audits, inspections, insurance policies, and certificates.
Action Plan: Exploring Audits
Not long after this this client deployed Ascend, OVD began piecing together risk management solutions in partnership with the client and developed a formal service plan. One area this client identified as a problem was the amount of fires they were having in their back of house operations. OVD in collaboration with their risk management team built out a fire safety and prevention assessment within Ascend to audit their back of house fire prevention and suppression systems.
