With gas prices on the rise, commuter benefits are becoming increasingly popular. Through employers, commuter benefits allow employees to use tax-free dollars on commuting expenses, saving employees money on annual taxes. Qualified expenses may include: Parking costs – parking on or near the business premises. It could also include parking …
Telemental Health
As COVID-19 locked down the country, telehealth rapidly gained popularity, especially for behavioral and mental health services. Unlike most doctor visits, mental health visits typically do not require face-to-face meetings. Visits can be conducted via video or even audio calls, though many physicians prefer video calls in order to read …
Providing Inclusive Benefits
Pride Month is celebrated each June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, the tipping point for the United States’ Gay Liberation Movement. The purpose of this initiative is to acknowledge the impact the LGBTQ+ community has had on history. Individuals and organizations celebrate differently, but it is common …
What is Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance?
A medical condition that reduces an employee’s ability to perform their work duties, usually due to an illness or injury, is considered a disability. Statistically, one in three employees will miss more than one month of pay as a result of an injury or illness. Without disability coverage, employees stand …
Spending FSA Money on Summer Fun
For most, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. This weekend numerous families will flock to the beach, go camping, or grill in the backyard. Outdoor activities will become much more common and popular as the weather warms. If you are planning to spend time outdoors, you need to …
Medical Bills: Catching Errors
A public opinion survey found that approximately 72% of patients are confused by their medical bills, and 94% have received bills they believed were “too expensive.” Medical bills are notoriously hard to read and understand, which often leads to overpayment. Hospitals and clinics typically lump charges together and do not …
HSA Spending and Withdrawal Rules
A health savings account (HSA) is used to assist the account holder in saving money to be spent on eligible medical expenses. To be eligible for an HSA, an employee must be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a minimum deductible amount of $1,400 for an individual and …
Why Implement a Workplace Wellness Program?
SHRM’s 2019 Employee Benefits Survey found that 64% of employers provide wellness information and resources. With health care costs continuously increasing, employers and employees strive to save money. A wellness program is an attractive solution as it has the potential to reduce health care costs and boost workplace satisfaction. Wellness …
Why Offer Life Insurance?
Life insurance is a popular employer-provided benefit that employees, especially those whose incomes support family members, can enroll in. Enrolling in life insurance allows the insured’s designated beneficiary to collect the financial benefit after the employee is deceased. Employers should consider offering term life insurance whether it be basic (100% …
What is Voluntary Accident Insurance?
Life can be unpredictable which is why many employers offer voluntary benefits including accident insurance. When an accidental injury occurs, accident insurance provides financial protection for covered employees. Some plans include accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) as an add-on to accident insurance; however, it is typically offered as a separate …
HR Lessons from 2021
As we move into 2022, it is important to look back and reflect on the lessons of the past year to implement improvements for the future. In 2021, the continuation of the pandemic along with the Great Resignation brought about many lessons to be learned in HR. Purpose beyond profits. …
401(k)s and Retirement
While more Americans, about 9 million, are working later in life, retirement is still an inevitable stage in many workers’ lives. To some, the concept of retirement is daunting, ending the steady source of income. They are plagued with doubts like, “What if I outlast my savings?” Financially burdened by …
Voluntary Benefits Trends for 2022
Offering extra perks helps to satisfy unique employee needs. More organizations are recognizing how beneficial voluntary benefits are to employees and their families while many of these benefits come at little to no cost for the employer. Holistic Benefits Offerings A recent Willis Towers Watson survey saw a 58% increase …
New Guidance on COVID-19 and ADA Disability
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued 14 additional answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding what employers can and cannot do to comply with federal fair employment laws during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new answers address the definition of “disability” and how to determine whether an individual with COVID-19 …
Hiring and Retaining Employees during the Great Resignation
Around 20.2 million workers left their employers between May and September of 2021. In the time of the Great Resignation, hiring and retaining workers has never been so important. With so many people retiring, employers are looking to Gen Z to fill the gaps, but this new generation has different …