Jim Purcell, Harvard Business Review Workplace wellness is under scrutiny by skeptics who argue that the return on investment (ROI) in wellness programs does not justify the costs. But the real question is not whether wellness programs deliver returns. Rather, it’s what type of wellness program can reduce claims and thereby lower insurance premiums.

Healthcare Business & Technology Community hospitals, central to small-town health care and local economies, are closing at a rapid-fire pace. The Rural Health Research Gateway found that from 2010 to 2014, 47 rural hospitals ceased providing inpatient services and close to 700 rural U.S. hospitals are at-risk for closure. There are, however, strategies that struggling providers can use to become financially solvent and sustained.

Chad Brooks, Business News Daily The size and scope of a benefits package can either boost or sink businesses. They key is the timing of when that package is offered, new research finds.

Jonnelle Marte, Washington Post The Obama administration unveiled a new rule today that would make millions of middle-income workers eligible for overtime pay, a move that delivers a long-sought victory for labor groups. The regulations, which were last updated more than a decade ago, would let full-time salaried employees earn overtime if they make up to $47,476 a year, more than double the current threshold of $23,660 a year. The Labor Department estimates that the rule would boost the pockets of 4.2 million additional workers.

Gloria Tian and Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, Glassdoor When it comes to compensation, most job seekers focus on salary. But wages and salaries are only part of the picture. According to a recent Glassdoor survey, three in five people consider benefits and perks among their top considerations before applying for a job. Benefits like health insurance, paid leave and retirement plans today make up about a third of the total compensation pie — a share that has been rising in recent decades.

Robert C. Lawton, Employee Benefit News How does your investment fund line-up compare to the marketplace? Do you have too many investment options or too few? Are you taking advantage of all the safe harbor options available to you? In this low return, low interest rate environment, there is a new set of best practices to use for 401(k) plan menu construction.

Chad Brooks, Business News Daily New research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that those who retire just one year past the normal retirement age of 65 can lower their risk of death from all causes by at least 9 percent, even when demographic, lifestyle and health issues are accounted for. The results held true not just for healthy adults but also for those who described themselves as unhealthy.

Rachel Emma Silverman, Wall Street Journal Employers can provide employees big incentives or insurance discounts if they answer questions about their health, according to new rules issued this week by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC issued final rules regarding how corporate wellness programs work with existing anti-discrimination laws and affirmed that wellness programs would be considered voluntary as long as an employer's incentives or discounts don’t exceed more than 30 percent of the cost of an employee’s individual "self-only" health coverage.

Christine Emba, Washington Post Family leave is a relatively recent proposition in the United States; the Family and Medical Leave Act, which guarantees new parents and those with ailing family members the right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave without losing their jobs upon return, was only passed in 1993. The act was meant to be a first step toward a broader program, but so far, no further steps have been taken.

Lenny Sanicola, World at Work Did you know that one in four Americans will suffer from some form of mental illness in any given year? Did you know that serious mental illness costs the U.S. $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year? Mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and many other developed countries, affecting people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, income level or ethnicity. To raise awareness of the importance of good mental health, May is recognized as Mental Health Month.

Jess White, Healthcare Business & Technology More hospitals and health care providers are being asked to play a role in managing not just their patients’ health but population health as a whole. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has just announced the results of several population health initiatives it’s been funding, and the results could change the way hospitals deliver care.

HR Daily Advisor A recent Twitter Chat addressed the practice of relaxation techniques as an effective means of fighting both mental and physical stress. The good news was that many of the techniques can be effectively used during work hours.

Ruth Larkin, BenefitsPro For years, companies have recognized the wisdom of offering employee health wellness programs, as they positively impact employee productivity, reduce absenteeism and increase overall morale. A logical next step is now gaining traction in the employee benefits marketplace: namely, financial wellness programs.