As mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), premium rates are finalized in the early fall and are based on events from two years before the pricing plan year. So, to know how 2023 rates were set this year, we’ll need to look back at 2021. And if there’s one event we can associate with 2021, it’s COVID-19. In summer
You know the feeling. You’re at the local pharmacy, dragging yourself through the aisles and staring down a rabbit hole of labels and discount stickers. All you want is a remedy for your runny nose, not a deep-dive into the slight pricing variations of over-the-counter cold medications. But that overwhelm hardly compares to the dread of shopping for prescription medications.
Once upon a time, my foot got impaled by a stingray. After hours of Netflix binging and hot-water soaking, the searing pain began to ease. But the next morning, my swollen foot had expanded half a shoe size. By noon, it had busted out of my slip-on loafer. In a daze, I called the triage nurse at my primary care
Your whole business — your mission and goals, your employee talent — is greater than the sum of its parts. But what if you’re paying too much for the parts? Take that PEO contract you signed to take care of your HR needs. It’s saving you time, but is it also draining your budget? Or consider that HRO you’ve been
The workforce of 2022 spans seven decades and five generations. While each employee comes to work with unique needs, each generation also carries expectations for the roles that their job, employer, and employee benefits play in their lives. Here’s a breakdown of group benefits that best suit a multigenerational workplace, with a specific focus on Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen
As of 2022, 37 states (and Washington, DC) have legalized marijuana in some form. But the costs associated with medical marijuana are not covered by health insurance plans, even in states that have legalized weed. These facts seem at odds. If medical marijuana is legal in a state, and if a doctor recommends medical marijuana for a patient, why can’t
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic’s massive impact on the workforce, a more robust benefits package is not a matter of if, but what. As in, what changes should employers make to benefits packages to retain employees and attract high-quality talent? For 2022, you’ll want to explore your many options to bolster your current benefits — and give your company the competitive
If COVID-19 has reinforced any maxim, it’s this: personal health and wellness is the cornerstone of longevity and livelihood. While the lines have blurred between work and home, the need for comprehensive healthcare — and affordable plans that cover it — has become remarkably clear. How will you, the employer, take action to prioritize this need for robust employee benefits options? Personalized
Say you visit your doctor for an annual check-up, or you head to urgent care for a neck strain. Every time you visit your doctor, hospital, urgent care, or other healthcare provider, you’ll receive an “Explanation of Benefits” in the mail. But don’t grab your check or credit card yet — this Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is not a bill.
Let’s say we could offer you a way to reduce your small business’ payroll taxes. Now, let’s say we could offer you a way for employees to reduce their taxable incomes. If we could provide both of these benefits in one package, would you take our offer? Of course you would! So, Small Business Owner, let us introduce you to
