Back to School

FSA Help Pay for Back-to-School

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) holders with calendar-year plans have barely three months left in their plan year, and some are looking for ways to spend down their balances. Although we’re past the back-to-school period here in Arkansas, you can still use FSA dollars to cover certain school supplies. Some schools ask families to continuously replenish … More >>

allergies flu COVID

Is it Allergies, Flu or COVID?

From hayrides and warm apple cider to Halloween festivities and Thanksgiving homecomings, people look forward to Fall. But the return of cooler temperatures also brings an increase in hay fever and a rise in cold and flu rates – and there could be another COVID wave. When you sneeze or cough, how do you know … More >>

Inflation Reduction Act May Impact Group Health Plans

President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law on August 16, 2022. Among other provisions, the IRA: Addresses aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Requires Medicare to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers Caps the cost of prescribed insulin for Medicare recipients at $35 a month Provides an insulin safe harbor for high-deductible … More >>

3 Ways to an Easier Enrollment

Is your company getting ready for open enrollment? It can be a stressful time for HR and employees alike. An estimated 45% of workers say they are apprehensive about the open enrollment process. Here are three ways to help ease the stress of enrollment season. #1: Take Active Steps to Fend Off Stress and Burnout HR … More >>

travel

Using Your Benefits to Ease Travel Stress

This summer has been hard on travelers, from high gasoline prices to numerous canceled flights. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, no one has been immune from it. Here are eight ways you can use your benefit accounts to help ease travel stress. 1. Stock Up on Medications Use your FSA or HSA account to … More >>

healthcare consumer

Do You Know About PCORI…

…and how it affects patients and employers? Two significant drivers of escalating healthcare costs are a lack of knowledge about the cost of medical services and low levels of patient engagement in their healthcare decisions. However, thanks to healthcare consumerism, this is starting to change. Healthcare consumerism is a movement to improve the quality of healthcare … More >>

COBRA compliance

COBRA Compliant? Are You Sure?

Many employers are out of COBRA compliance but don’t realize it. Are you sure your company is following all the rules? Is your company meeting its COBRA obligations in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations? Chances are, you’re not, at least if you are self-administering them. In fact, the IRS estimates that 90% of … More >>

ICHRAs Benefit All Businesses

Attractive benefits plans are essential in today’s labor market. Smaller businesses often struggle to find affordable group health insurance plans that comply with ACA regulations. Let’s look at how an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or ICHRA, can offer big benefits for all businesses. What is an ICHRA? ICHRAs are an attractive option for both employers and … More >>

surprise

Surprising FSA-Eligible Expenses

Healthcare flexible spending accounts (FSAs) let you use pre-tax funds to pay for some medical, dental, and health-related products and services, including certain over-the-counter items. Most people know FSA eligible expenses include doctor visits, surgery and other medical procedures, prescription medicines, dental, vision, chiropractic, and mental health services. However, there are some eligible expenses that … More >>

reporting requirements

2022 Reporting and Compliance Requirement Updates 

Over the last couple of years, COVID created some temporary and potentially permanent changes to employer reporting requirements. As COVID moves from pandemic to endemic, let’s review the status of reporting requirements for 2022. PCORI Fee Change For plan years that end on or after October 1, 2021, and before October 1, 2022, the new PCORI … More >>

contribution limits

IRS Announces 2023 HSA Limits

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published the 2023 annual contribution limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) on April 29. They also announced high deductible health plan (HDHP) minimum deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for next year. 2023 HSA Contribution Limits For 2023, HSA owners will see a significant increase in the amount they can contribute to their accounts. … More >>

debit cards

Debit Cards are a Benefits Must Have

During the pandemic, the use of debit and credit cards has soared. A 2021 MarketWatch analysis found that debit card transaction volumes continue to surge, while growth in credit transactions has remained essentially flat. Always a possible addition to tax-advantaged benefit accounts, debit cards have increasingly become a benefits “must have.” Employees Save Time Offering … More >>

LSA

Lifestyle Spending Accounts Can Help Attract and Retain Employees

Many employers are experiencing first-hand how hard it has become to attract and retain a great workforce. You may have young, healthy employees who don’t see much benefit in traditional health plans. Other workers may be ineligible for the traditional benefits you offer but still expect some type of assistance. The onus now is on … More >>

Some Nutritional Needs Qualify as FSA/HSA-Eligible Expenses

No, you can’t use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) for straight food purchases like meat, produce and dairy. But you can use them for some nutrition-related products and services. To review, tax-advantaged accounts have regulatory restrictions on eligible products and services. The products and services must have a medical purpose, … More >>

Furloughs, Layoffs and COBRA

Just as we thought the pandemic was easing and we could start to recover from job losses, rising oil prices and potential interest rate increases may again affect the job market. Read on to learn about furloughs, layoffs, and COBRA. You’ll also learn about COBRA eligibility, qualifying events, and how much coverage costs. Furlough or … More >>

QSEHRAs: Effective Small Business Benefit Tool

Employers have been helping employees with healthcare costs since employer-sponsored insurance coverage began about 80 years ago. But just as healthcare costs have risen, the costs of insurance and healthcare benefits have increased as well. Small businesses have always found it financially challenging to offer group benefits to their employees. Fortunately, Congress and regulatory agencies … More >>

woman preventive care

Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenses for Women and Children’s Preventive Care

New preventive care and screening guidelines aimed at reducing out-of-pocket expenses for women, infants, children, and adolescents were recently announced by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) The new guidelines take effect for plans starting in 2023. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), certain group … More >>

New Year, New You with Employee Wellness Programs

As we welcome a new year, many of us are focused on how we can better ourselves and are making new resolutions. Some are emphasizing physical health, vowing to eat better and exercise more. Others are targeting their financial health, making an effort to spend less and save more. Some are centered on taking care … More >>

child care

Child Tax Credit, Dependent Care Program Changes for 2022

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC) program in 2021 in response to pandemic-related dependent care challenges. This expansion had a chance to be made permanent. However, as 2021 ended, the legislation containing this provision did not pass. Since the advance payments have ended, qualified parents/guardians will receive any refundable … More >>

DCAP Benefits and the Sandwich Generation

Life expectancy in the U.S. has gone up over the years thanks to a variety of factors. However, longer lifespans are creating a conundrum for many Americans. Millions of people in the workforce find themselves caring for their children and aging parents/relatives at the same time. A Dependent Care Assistance Program, or DCAP, can help … More >>

no suprises act

No Surprises Act and Medical Bills

Did you know more than a third of employees say the medical bills they receive after seeking care are “always or usually” a surprise? But 28% pay them anyway because they don’t want to have to deal with the insurance company. Insurance plans cover some of the cost of medical care. What’s left over falls … More >>

boost retirement funds HSA

Boost Retirement Funds With Your HSA

Pandemic-related losses have business owners looking for ways to cut costs. High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) help employers provide healthcare options while minimizing expenses. Due to the higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, employers often pair a qualified HDHP with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). In addition to helping employees meet healthcare expenses, HSAs can help them … More >>

attract retain talent

How Can Employers Attract and Retain Top Talent

When the pandemic hit, workers were being furloughed or laid off in droves as forced shutdowns shrank, if not entirely closed, many businesses. With states having reopened and companies attempting to hire people back, another phenomenon has taken shape: Workers are refusing to go back to previous jobs or quitting the jobs they do have … More >>

2022 FSA Contribution Limit, Max Carryover Announced by IRS

On November 10, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Rev. Proc. 2021-45, announcing the 2022 annual contribution limit for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), maximum carryover amount, contribution limits for Transportation benefits and more. 2022 FSA Contribution Limits The annual maximum 2022 FSA contribution limit will increase to $2,850. The annual limit applies to Health … More >>

flu shots pandemic

Flu Shots and the Pandemic

Flu season can be miserable for everyone. Parents have to deal with sick kids at home. Employers have to deal with employees taking sick time. Doctors offices are hard to get into for an appointment. Add in people dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. It seems more important than ever to get, and stay, educated on … More >>