Compliance Recap – April 2023 | PA Employee Benefits Group
2024 BENEFIT PARAMETERS FOR MEDICARE PART D CREDITABLE COVERAGE DISCLOSURES ANNOUNCED The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Fact Sheet announcing the 2024 benefit parameters for Medicare Part D. These factors are used to determine the actuarial value of defined standard Medicare Part D coverage under CMS guidelines. Each year, Medicare Part D requires … Continued
Up and Away – Healthcare Costs Are Taking Off | FAIRMOUNT BENEFITS
Healthcare costs, and consequently employee health benefit costs, have been growing at an alarming rate in recent years. The U.S. as a nation spends more on health care than any other developed country but has worse health outcomes. How is this possible? Four Key Factors Driving U.S. Healthcare Costs: Aging Population Healthcare gets more expensive … Continued
Volunteering and It’s Surprising Mental Health Benefits | Pennsylvania Benefits Agents
Volunteers make an immeasurable difference in people’s lives and often serve with the intention of helping others. But, did you know that volunteering can benefit your mental health as well? While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge … Continued
Employee Engagement: 8 Ways to Reward a Job Well Done | PA Benefits Team
At a time when many companies are trying to “do more with less,” employees are feeling overworked and underappreciated. To remedy this problem, Human Resources can help organizations foster robust rewards programs. When budgets are tight, bonuses might not be possible. Recently, however, HR Exchange Network asked users of Terkel.io to share their suggestions for rewards, and they offered … Continued
Employee Benefit Trends: What is a Lifestyle Spending Account? | Pennsylvania Benefits Agency
A Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) offers employers an opportunity to help fund health and wellness costs that a traditional group health plan won’t cover. LSAs are often used as perks to attract and retain quality employees and could be a desirable piece of the employee benefits puzzle. What Is a Lifestyle Spending Account? A Lifestyle … Continued
Compliance Recap – March 2023 | PA Employee Benefits Agency
IRS RELEASES 2024 EMPLOYER SHARED RESPONSIBILITY PROVISION PENALTIES The dollar amount used to calculate the employer shared responsibility provision penalties (ESRP) has been provided for 2024. As background, the penalties can be assessed under Code § 4980H(a) if an applicable large employer (ALE) fails to offer minimum essential coverage to the required number of full-time … Continued
Two Areas Impacting Benefits When the COVID-19 Emergencies End | FAIRMOUNT BENEFITS
When the COVID-19 public health emergency and national emergency were declared in 2020, no one anticipated they would still be in place in 2023. On January 30, 2023, the President announced the intent to end the emergencies on May 11, 2023. The impact of the emergencies on employer-sponsored benefits affected certain coverages, reimbursements, and timelines. … Continued
Fact Sheet for Consumers About the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency | Pennsylvania Benefits Group
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a consumer-facing fact sheet to help people know what to expect at the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The Department of Health and Human Services is planning for the federal PHE and the COVID-19 national emergency to expire at the end of the day … Continued
Benefits 101: Vision Insurance | PA Employee Benefits Agency
According to WebMD, the eyes are the most highly developed sensory organs in your body. Did you know that more of your brain is dedicated to the sense of sight than to all of the other senses combined? So, it makes sense that you would do all that you can to protect and care for these … Continued
Retention Ideas in a Recession | PA Employee Benefits Group
Employee engagement is the top priority of respondents to HR Exchange Network’s latest State of HR survey. Obviously, employers are keen to engage employees to increase productivity and retention. However, the economic downturn and inflation is complicating matters, and Human Resources leaders are seeking new ways to reach talent. Recently, Eric Mochnacz, strategic senior HR leader and Director … Continued