Healthcare
July 20, 2021
Why Starting Open Enrollment Early In 2021 Is More Important Than Ever
The COVID-19 pandemic shook the job market in ways never before seen. For one, it created so much uncertainty that employees who would’ve typically searched for a new job last year decided to stay put. For another, the pandemic prompted workers to take stock of their circumstances and consider what workplace perks matter most to...
July 19, 2021
The Impact of Biden’s Competition Executive Order on the Health Care Industry
The American economy is finally recovering after more than a year of stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Joe Biden’s administration wants to continue this momentum and further stimulate the economy. To help in that effort, President Biden recently signed an executive order aimed at increasing competition among businesses. According to the White House,...
June 23, 2021
7 Key Reasons Employers Need to Offer Better Vision Benefits
For most employers, vision benefits have been a check the box, offering for over 50 years because there has been little to no innovation. Employees typically choose between two fairly standard plans, with limited coverage, and may never take advantage of them at all, despite the fact that you’re paying between $5 and $25 per month to...
June 16, 2021
Workers Will Need Support From Employers to Deal with COVID Mental Health Fallout
From casual Fridays to after-work drinks, those weekly rituals once taken for granted are returning as Americans head back to the office. And while masks, plexiglass and empty conference rooms will alter the cubescape, employers are nevertheless invested in getting things back to normal — or at least as normal as possible. But that won’t...
June 2, 2021
IRS Guidance on Tax Credits for Employee Leave Under the FFCRA
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), passed in March 2020, required small and midsized employers to provide paid employee leave for specific COVID-19-related reasons through Dec. 31, 2020. The FFCRA also provided tax credits for employers to cover the cost of the leave. The FFCRA employee leave requirements expired in December 2020; however, subsequent...
May 28, 2021
The Demonstrated Value of Consumer-driven Health Plans
Employers may be familiar with high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health care accounts, such as health savings accounts (HSAs). A CDHP is simply the combination of those benefits—an HDHP paired with a health care spending account. CDHPs can be an excellent way for employers to control health care spending. In fact, CDHPs are often...
February 22, 2021
Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
Since COVID-19 vaccine demand is increasing and distribution varies by state, scammers are trying to take advantage of uncertainty and confusion to steal money and personal information from vaccine seekers. Scammers are using phone calls, text messages, social media platforms and door-to-door visits to commit these COVID-19-related scams. Ways to Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams Keep...
February 3, 2021
Communicating With Employees About COVID-19 Vaccines
Employee communications related to the pandemic have played a major role in keeping employees safe and healthy while navigating operational changes and challenges. Now, the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines have become available after the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for two vaccines. As initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccines are allocated for people in...
January 4, 2021
5 Strategies Employers Can Implement to Help Support COVID Vaccine Uptake
While there has been a lot of positive news recently about the COVID vaccines, there are varying reports on the public’s concern and willingness to take it. That hesitation, along with vaccine access, will determine how quickly life returns to normal. We will need more than 70% of the population vaccinated to get back to a pre-pandemic society, and...
October 28, 2020
5 WORKPLACE ISSUES AT STAKE AS TRUMP, BIDEN BRACE FOR ELECTION DAY
No matter where one falls on the political spectrum, the 2020 presidential election will shake up the American workforce. For employers, truly comprehending each candidate’s position may be the difference between a winning or losing workplace strategy. Several benefit and workplace topics have emerged in the spotlight during this historic election year, including healthcare, of...