Year: 2024
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Benefits 101: What Is a FSA?
When it comes to health insurance, there is a lot of jargon and plenty of acronyms. Many people have heard of FSAs, but may not actually know — what is a flexible spending account, exactly? If you have an employer-sponsored health plan, a flexible spending account (FSA) is often available as part of the benefits…
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The Pay or Play Percentage Increase for 2025
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires large employers to offer affordable health insurance coverage to their full-time employees or face a penalty known as the “Pay or Play” tax. This tax is based on the employer’s average monthly wage (AMW) and the number of full-time employees. The affordability rate for employer-sponsored health coverage will increase from 8.39% to…
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Bridging the Generational Divide: Leveraging Technology for Effective Communication
In today’s diverse workplaces, effective communication across generations is essential for fostering collaboration, productivity, and a positive work environment. Understanding the unique communication preferences of each generation can help bridge the gap and create a more inclusive and harmonious workplace. Technology can play a crucial role in bridging the generational gap and facilitating seamless communication.…
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Client Success Story: A Health Care Company in Ohio
42 Employees | Healthcare Industry | Ohio Headquarters The Challenge We recently partnered with a healthcare company in Ohio with 42 full-time employees who had been working with their current PEO company for just over four years. Despite having low medical claims utilization, they faced consistent double-digit increases on their medical premiums. Additionally, they…
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Compliance Recap | Aug. 2024
FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS FTC NON-COMPETE BAN NATIONWIDE: IMPORTANT INSIGHTS FOR EMPLOYERS On August 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas delivered a crucial ruling, effectively halting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Rule prohibiting most non-compete agreements. The Rule, which was set to go into effect on September 4, 2024, was…
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Empowering Gen Z: Building a Competitive Benefits Package
Get ready for a new wave of talent! Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012), or Zoomers, is the youngest generation entering the workforce, and they’re bringing fresh perspectives and priorities. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z isn’t just punching a clock. They crave opportunities for personal and professional growth, a workplace that prioritizes mental well-being,…
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Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Rebates: A Timely Reminder
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) to ensure that health insurance companies spend a significant portion of premiums on medical care and quality improvement activities rather than administrative costs and profits. When insurers fail to meet the MLR threshold, they are required to issue rebates to plan sponsors. Understanding MLR…
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Open Enrollment: Your Annual Check-Up for Benefits
Navigating health insurance can feel like planning a vacation. You wouldn’t pack for a beach trip if you’re headed to the mountains, right? Similarly, choosing a health plan requires careful consideration. Open enrollment is your chance to design a plan tailored to you; it is your yearly opportunity to review and adjust your employee benefits…
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Empowering Millennials: Building a Competitive Benefits Package
Today’s workforce is a mix of generations, but you can’t afford to overlook Millennials, the largest generation in the workforce. Known for their flexibility and problem-solving skills, Millennials bring a powerful combination of experience and value to any company. Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are a driving force in today’s job market. This generation…
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Compliance Recap July 2024
FORM 5500 FILING FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS The Form 5500 series is a component of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act’s (ERISA) reporting and disclosure framework. The Form is used to report information on the qualification of the plan, its financial condition, investments, and its operations. It also guarantees that participants, beneficiaries, and regulators have access…
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Question of the Month: FSAs and FSA Carryovers
Q: What are the time and dollar limits for flexible spending arrangements (FSA) and FSA carryovers? A: For 2024, the most that can be deferred to an FSA is $3,200 (a $150 increase from 2023). The amount of a 2024 FSA balance that can be carried over into 2025 is $640 (up from $610 in 2023).…
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Understand Your Spending Power: What You Can Buy with Your FSA, HSA, or HRA
Medical expense accounts can help you save on all kinds of healthcare costs. Here are some you may not know about yet. HSA, FSA, and HRA can typically be used for: Expenses that might be covered, but check your plan: Important Considerations: Additional Tips: By understanding the nuances of HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs, you can…
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Navigating the Alphabet Soup: HSAs, HRAs, and FSAs Explained
Managing healthcare costs can feel like deciphering a complex code. Three acronyms frequently pop up: HSAs, HRAs, and FSAs. But what exactly do they mean, and which one is right for you? Let’s break down these accounts and explore how they can help you save on qualified medical expenses. Understanding the Accounts: Who Can Use…
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Empowering Gen X: Building a Competitive Benefits Package
Today’s workforce is a mix of generations, and Gen X is a group you can’t afford to overlook. Known for their flexibility and problem-solving skills, Gen X employees bring a powerful combination of experience and value to any company. Gen X, those born between 1965 and 1980, makes up a significant chunk (27%) of today’s…
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Compliance Recap June 2024
ACA PREVENTIVE CARE MANDATE REMAINS IN PLACE WITH AN EXCEPTION In a recent decision, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that mandates private insurance cover preventive services without cost to patients. However, the court also ruled that the plaintiffs are exempt from complying with this mandate,…
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HSAs Made Easy: Learn the Essentials & Protect Your Savings from Mistakes
Health savings accounts (HSAs) have become a vital part of many employers’ benefits packages, offering employees a powerful tool to manage healthcare expenses while benefiting from tax advantages. However, managing HSAs goes beyond just facilitating contributions. It also involves understanding and addressing mistakes with distributions that employees might encounter. This article delves into the basics…
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PCORI Fee Filing Deadline
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund fee, often referred to as the PCORI fee, can be a source of confusion for employers offering health insurance plans. This article aims to simplify what the PCORI fee is, why it exists, and how it impacts your business. What is the PCORI Fee? The PCORI fee is an…
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Benefits 101: What Is an HDHP?
In today’s world of complex health insurance options, High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have become increasingly popular. But with a name like “high deductible,” it’s natural to have questions. Let’s break down the basics of HDHPs: What is an HDHP? An HDHP is a health insurance plan with a higher deductible than traditional plans. This…
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Investing in Health Prevention and Wellness: A Smart Bet
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings truer than ever in today’s world. While reactive healthcare plays a crucial role in treating illness, a growing emphasis is being placed on the power of health prevention and wellness. Investing in preventive measures and promoting overall well-being isn’t just about…
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Compliance Recap May 2024
PREPARE NOW TO PAY THE PCORI FEE The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee funds research that evaluates and compares health outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and the risks and benefits of medical treatments and services. Effective through 2029, the IRS treats this fee like an excise tax, applied to all covered lives, including employees, retirees, spouses,…
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Form 5500: What You Need To Know
Attention Employers: Don’t Miss Your Form 5500 Deadline! Here’s a simplified breakdown of what you need to know about filing your employee benefit plan report: Who Needs to File? Employers subject to ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) with employee benefit plans, unless exempt. What to File? Form 5500 (annual report) for each employee benefit…
