Your guide from hire to retire.
To provide information that will have a positive impact on your entire company, we will delve into topics such as the personality of your company — would you describe it as parental? Where do you want your company to be in coming years?
We all know healthcare costs increase annually. Medical trend increases are based on higher costs for prescription drugs, advancement in medical technologies, reinsurance costs and regulatory changes. So, what are the reasons for the higher than normal premium rates as we approach 2025? The aftereffects of COVID are creeping into the system.
PCORI Fees – What are They and When Do I Pay Them? One of the many requirements in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee, an often overlooked but essential aspect of compliance. The PCORI fee is a charge imposed on issuers of specified […]
Spousal Incentive Opt-Out HRA Plans What is a Spousal Incentive Opt-Out HRA Plan? While many organizations have a taxable cash opt-out or waiver incentive that is offered to employees who are covered by health insurance coverage elsewhere, a spousal incentive opt-out HRA (sometimes called a spousal HRA, etc.) provides an […]
employer Guide: navigating aca compliance as an applicable large employer In today’s dynamic employment landscape, staying compliant with healthcare regulations is crucial for employers. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed into law in 2010, brought significant changes to the healthcare system, including requirements for employers to offer health insurance to […]
Top 3 reasons you need (and want) a summary plan description (spd) Employee benefits are a critical component of talent retention, and providing clear information about these benefits is a legal requirement for employers. The Summary Plan Description (SPD) serves as a crucial document in this communication process. In 2024, […]
Virtual health care in Michigan In today’s benefits advisor blog, we’ll briefly touch on the types of virtual health care and how each of the primary health insurance carriers in SW Michigan are providing solutions. Virtual health care is primarily provided via internet video visits (and phone to a lesser […]
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ADVISOR/AGENT/BROKER? An employee benefits agent or broker is a great resource for both employers and employees. An advisor, agent or broker manages a number of different areas of employee benefits, including: • Advocating for the employer and employee with insurance carriers, vendors, […]
With a slight adjustment to the Janet Jackson classic… “what has your broker done for you lately?” How might you rate your most recent benefits open enrollment on a scale of 1-10? What could be improved upon? There’s a laundry list of moving parts and details when it comes to […]
Employers looking for more predictability in their costs, more equity in their contributions and perhaps even more flexibility for their employees are increasingly exploring the idea of Defined Contribution strategies for their employee benefit plans. Defined Contribution (or DC) plans come in various different forms. When I started my career […]
Transparency Regulations were issued by the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (Departments) in November 2020. A month later, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was signed into law. Following in August 2021, the Departments released FAQ guidance addressing several CAA requirements. These new requirements are […]