Employee Benefits
An employer can be fined up to $100 per day for every employee that had a waiting period in excess of 90 calendar days.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a new rule that group health plans cannot have a waiting period of more than 90 calendar days.
After nearly thirty years of lobbying the “Use-It-or-Lose-It” rule has been changed. Now the option is left to you, the plan sponsor, whether or not it is the right thing to implement for your company. Let’s take a look at some of the scenarios and helpful tips for the healthcare flexible spending account (FSA) rollover option in terms of an adoption lifecycle (a model that shows the trend of acceptance to a new concept over time).
Recent guidance helped clarify some of the confusion about Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees applicable to Health Reimbursement
Arrangements (HRAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). It was originally thought that the fee would be applicable to all covered lives including spouses and dependents. That is no longer the case in some instances.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have jointly issued rules that define affordable coverage. Employers and employees still have several questions about how this affects penalty calculations and subsidy eligibility.
The following offers some insight on these key issues:
Between lengthy meetings at the office, frantic shoppers and frenzied holiday music, it can be hard to stay focused on the fact that the year is coming to a close. In fact, with all the water cooler talk about the world ending it is even anticlimactic.
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), the year-end FSA frenzy is here. FSA participants that may have contributed too much money may be in panic mode, but it does not have to be that way for you. Let’s take a look at some ways to use your FSA money.
Visit your:
- Doctor to make sure to get all immunizations done.
- Dentist/Orthodontist to get a check up on those pearly whites.
- Optometrist to get an eye exam! Buy a new pair of eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, contact lenses, or even stock up on contact lens solution.
- Dermatologist to get prescriptions, such as acne treatments.
Opportunity's always knocking. Just open the door.
If everyone knows that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, then why isn’t cross-selling a universal practice? Cross-selling is a great tool for client retention, as well as prospecting. Your clients and prospects may not be aware of the full portfolio of your offerings.
So, don’t think twice about reviewing all options during the renewal/enrollment process. This is your opportunity to suggest how they can enhance their benefits program. And yes, even if they feel satisfied with what they offer currently.
More and more, employers are starting to offer high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) in their benefits program. Correspondingly, the rate of employees enrolled in a HDHP has grown year-over-year. Even though this isn’t the standard health plan option you might be used to, here are four reasons to be thankful for your HDHP this enrollment season:
- Covers 100% - Just like a traditional health plan, basic preventive services such as vaccinations and wellness exams are covered at 100%! You can stay proactive with your health care and save money.
Don’t let unspent FSA dollars haunt you
It can be scary to think about how much health care costs you and your family. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), there’s no need to fear. Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex) has conjured up six not so spooky ways to use your FSA before the end of your plan year.
- Prescriptions – Don’t be afraid to ask. Your doctor can write a prescription for everyday over-the-counter items.
Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex) recently joined forces with various associations and insurance companies representing employers, producers and insurers to submit comments on the selection of Illinois’ state Essential Health Benefits (EHB) benchmark plan.
The purpose of the consolidated comments was to underscore the importance of affordability of coverage for individual consumers and small employers in Illinois. The target for this effort was the state’s Health Reform Implementation Council (HRIC) Workgroup, who was considering specific factors in choosing the EHB package. The benchmark plan will eventually determine the cost of future premiums and how broad coverage will be for Illinois consumers.
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