Employee Benefits Report – September 2020
Pros and Cons of Employees Working Remotely
With two-thirds of employees working from home at least part-time, employers are finding there are advantages and disadvantages.
Read on for details.
How the Pandemic Could Shape the Future of Health Care
The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly forced the medical community in the United States to rethink how it provides health care. In response to the crisis, new regulations have been enacted and advances in technology fast-tracked.
Read on for details.
Where the 2020 Presidential Candidates Stand on Health Care Reform
The nation’s health care system is expected to be one of the top issues for voters in the 2020 presidential election because of the declining number of Americans with health insurance, in part due to job losses, and the rise in health care and insurance costs.
Read on for details.
Be Prepared: What You Need to Know Before Offering Vision Coverage
Vision benefits are an important part of a complete health package. Providing the right benefits can boost morale and attract and retain talent.
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Employee Benefits Report – August 2020
Short on Funds? When Furloughs Make Sense
Furloughs — mandatory, temporary suspensions from work without pay — have allowed many employers to hold on to their businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read on for details.
The Good News About Retirement Savings in Light of the Stock Market Downturn
Your employees have worked hard to save for retirement, but did the coronavirus pandemic wipe out their life savings?
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IRS Health Plan Changes for 2020
Those changes include making it easier to get health care and allowing employees to make mid-year changes to their FSAs if their employers allow it.
Read on for details.
Company Policies Must Now Address LGBTQ Rights in the Workplace
Employers who do not have policies and practices that are inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workers, should craft guidelines addressing the issue. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – July 2020
How to Keep Employees from Raiding Retirement Funds
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc upon the finances of many employees, and some have been forced to use funds from their retirement plans.
Read on for details.
3 Challenges for Benefit Managers During the Pandemic
Providing benefit portability, helping employees manage their work/life balance and maintain financial stability can help employees during this difficult time.
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Mustering Employer Resources to Combat Mental Health Issues
Unfortunately, as a consequence of the work-from-home, shelter-in-place and quarantine initiatives put in place to keep us safe from COVID-19, there has been a rise in emotional distress.
Read on for details.
What to Consider Before Employees Fly the Friendly Skies Again
Now that restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are being lifted, some businesses are allowing employees to travel for work again.
Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – June 2020
Retirement Plans: Cash Flow Problem Solver
Cash flow is a big concern for both employers and employees, and the $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief bill and existing regulations provides an unlikely beneficiary — retirement plans.
Read on for details.
Benefits and Challenges of Telehealth Begin to Emerge
Telehealth’s convenience and value were highlighted when fears about the coronavirus pandemic prompted individuals to look for a way to get medical advice without having to go to a doctor’s office.
Read on for details.
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States Taking Action to Control Rising Drug Costs
States are taking action to keep prescription drug costs from rising uncontrolled.
Read on for details.
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What Employees Need to Know About COVID-19 and Life Insurance Benefits
With COVID-19 still in the forefront of everyone’s mind, your employees may be wondering if the life insurance they purchased or that you provided will pay their beneficiaries if they die from the disease. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – May 2020
What We’ve Learned About Keeping Essential Businesses Operating During a Pandemic
Coronavirus COVID-19 has scared everyone and changed the way businesses operate — including sick leave policies.
Read on for details.
Going Beyond Term Insurance Minimums
How to improve life insurance benefits for employees. Read on for details.
Roth 401(k) — The Overlooked Retirement Investment Tool
Only 11 percent of employers take advantage of Roth 401(k) options. Why this is a missed opportunity for employees to maximize their retirement income.
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Mental Health Tips for the Month of May
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and, especially in these times of self-isolation, it’s a good time to remind your employees of the importance of taking care of their mental health.
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Employee Benefits Report – April 2020
SECURE Act’s Effect on Retirement Plans
Here’s a review of the changes that affect small employers and some large ones.
Read on for details.
ERISA Compliance for Small and Large Employers
Despite its name, Employee Retirement Income Securities Act (ERISA) regulations apply not only to retirement plans, but to all “welfare” plans, including health benefits.
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How to Conduct a COBRA Self Audit
To help avoid an audit, or to be prepared in case an audit is ordered, it’s best to conduct a self audit.
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Giving Benefits the Respect They Deserve (and the Law Requires)
If you offer your employees health benefit coverage, your substance abuse and mental health benefits should be comparable to the other medical benefits in your plan.
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Employee Benefits Report – March 2020
States Actively Working to Reform Health Care
Health care reform continues to be a hot topic during the 2020 presidential election.
Read on for details.
Background Checks: The Fine Line of Staying in Compliance
Background checks allow employers to get a clearer picture of an applicant’s job and personal history. So, what happens if you find out that the applicant has a criminal background or has been convicted of drug use? Read on for details.
How to Stay in Compliance When Employees Work Remotely
As telecommuting continues to gain popularity with it comes a new set of compliance challenges for businesses.
Read on for details.
The Role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Does your health benefit plan have a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM)? If so, it’s important you understand how a PBM affects your and your employees’ access to prescription drugs, as well as controlling your out-of-pocket costs. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – February 2020
Basic Steps to Avoid Discrimination in the Workplace
Workplace discrimination takes many forms, but sound policies and procedures can reduce the occurrences.
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Key Elements of a Good Health Benefit Plan for Small Companies
The cost of providing health insurance for employees and their families is expected to be five percent higher this year than in 2019.
Read on for details.
Ways to Make Saving Easier for Your Employees
Employees know they should save for retirement, but it’s not always easy. Many worry they don’t have enough money to put into retirement savings because they’re having difficulties paying bills.
Read on for details.
Employees Need to Know About 401(k) Required Minimum Distributions
Effective January 1, 2020, your employees must withdraw at least the minimum amount from their employer-sponsored 401(k) and IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) by age 72. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – January 2020
Value-Based Care Gains Favor as a Provider Reimbursement System
Health care experts believe value-based care could lower costs and improve patient outcomes.
Read on for details.
Rules and Exceptions When Providing Benefits to Same Sex Couples
Employers who offer benefits to spouses must also offer them to same-sex couples though there are exceptions. Read on for details.
IRS Sets 2020 Retirement Plan Contribution and Benefit Limits
Nearly all of the dollar limits currently in effect for 2019 will experience minor increases for 2020. Read on for details.
Dental Insurance Promotes Overall Health
Providing employees the opportunity to purchase dental insurance is not enough. Employee education is an important element when you offer voluntary benefits. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – December 2019
President Trump Issues New Health Coverage Responsibilities for Employers of Immigrants
New and proposed immigration requirements for documented and undocumented immigrants could impact employers who offer health care coverage.
Read on for details.
How Employers Can Avoid FMLA Pitfalls
The FMLA has been law since 1993 but employers can still find the rules confusing. Read on for details.
When is Indemnity Health Insurance an Acceptable Alternative to a Fully-Insured Plan?
Here’s a look at the advantages and disadvantages.
Read on for details.
Are Your Workplace Policies Up to Date about Vaping?
The popularity of vaping is sending some employers scrambling to craft workplace policies governing the use of electronic cigarettes. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – November 2019
Will College Savings Plans be Necessary if College is Free?
Free college tuition is an appealing idea as higher education costs continue to rise. Can the proposals of presidential candidates be counted on?
Read on for details.
What a State-Run Retirement Plan Would Mean to Your Company
There are many ways to save for retirement but most Americans aren’t doing it. Many states are considering legislation that could make retirement savings easier. Read on for details.
What’s Behind the 2020 Health Insurance Premium Hikes?
Founding Father Benjamin Franklin famously said, “… in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” If he were alive today, he certainly would have added “and annual health insurance premium increases.”
Read on for details.
On the Road Again — But With Insurance
One way to ensure their lives are easier is by providing business travel insurance. While travel insurance policies vary, they usually include: Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – October 2019
Health Savings Accounts — One Key to a More Comfortable Retirement
Here’s what your employees need to know about health savings accounts
Read on for details.
Genetic Testing Protections and Limitations
When the federal government passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in 2008, the law provided a starting point and baseline to prevent insurance carriers from using genetic testing information to determine rates. Read on for details.
When Life Insurance Isn’t Enough
Disability, not death, is much more likely to cause a person to lose their home.
Read on for details.
Access to Preventive Care Eased for Some HDHPs
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has made it easier for people who have high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) with health savings accounts (HSAs) to get preventive care services to treat chronic diseases even if the insured hasn’t yet met the deductible. Read on for details.