September 8, 2021
Sample Open Enrollment Notices Packet
Including: Important Notice About Your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare: Provide this notice by October 14 to all participants and dependents who are or may become eligible for Medicare Part D in the next 12 months if the prescription drug coverage provided by the plan is “creditable.” ...
September 7, 2021
Health Savings Accounts: What You Need to Know
A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-exempt trust or custodial account set up with a qualified HSA trustee (such as a bank or insurance company) that is used to pay or reimburse certain medical expenses. HSAs were first available as of January 1, 2004, and have grown greatly in popularity. ...
September 7, 2021
Pack Your Emails with Power
How many times have you finished reading a lengthy email only to discover you did not retain a single piece of information? You have no idea why the writer sent it to you or what you are supposed to do as a result. Instead, you are left trying to decide whether you should casually move...
September 7, 2021
Six Employer Questions to Answer Before Imposing a Surcharge on Unvaccinated Workers
Many employers are struggling to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among their workforce, concerned not only about both the safety of the workforce but also the costs of COVID-19 treatment that could be avoided through vaccination. Some are now turning to the possibility of a higher premium ...
September 2, 2021
Notice Deadline Nearing for the End of COBRA Subsidies
COBRA subsidy ends September 30, 2021 The COBRA subsidy period under the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) is nearing its end (September 30, 2021) If required, notices must be sent by September 15, 2021 If a former employee presently covered under COBRA received a COBRA subsidy, you have a ...
August 31, 2021
Engagement Survey Evolution — What’s Next?
Are annual engagement surveys outdated? If you look strictly at the numbers, the answer is no. As recently as 2019, 74% of companies still planned on using traditional methods to survey their staff on job and workplace sentiment. However, this number is on the decline from 89% in 2015. Are ...
August 30, 2021
Departments Defer Transparency and Disclosure Rule Enforcement, Provide FAQ Guidance
On August 20, 2021, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury (collectively, the Departments), issued FAQ guidance regarding provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the No Surprises Act (the Act) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). ...
August 23, 2021
Advocacy in Action | Benefit Program Education
Ingrid needed help. Her child needed to be evaluated by a neuropsychologist. Ingrid did not fully understand her benefits and was looking at using an out of network provider—oh no! After her conversation with a patient advocate, she understood the benefit (insurance and financial) of using an ...
August 19, 2021
Brainstorm Techniques to Elevate Team Creativity
“How should we fix this problem?” is a question that has been asked time and again in the boardroom, around the lunch table and likely on your last Zoom call at work. In this scenario, some may look to the most experienced person in the room or on the call to decide. Sometimes we invite...
August 19, 2021
Take Ten: The 50-Minute Meeting
The clock on the computer screen blinks 3:00 p.m. and it dawns on you that you haven’t eaten your first (or second!) meal of the day. Nor have you stood up from your desk to stretch your legs or used the restroom. Your back feels tight and you have the early stages of a raging...
