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New technologies are poised to fundamentally change the HR industry as we know it. Just as the smartphone revolutionized the way we communicate, artificial intelligence will reshape all areas of HR, from employee onboarding to learning management to developing top talent. And, similar to smartphones, these changes will take place at lightning speed. But what […]
Posts Tagged ‘Health Care Costs’
IRS Changes Course (Again) and Restores 2018 HSA Family Limit to $6,900 | California Benefit Brokers
Friday, April 27, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the 2018 annual contribution limit to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for persons with family coverage under a qualifying High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) is restored to $6,900. The single-coverage limit of $3,450 is not affected. This is the final word on what has been an […]
Survey: Small Businesses Keeping Pace with Health Benefits Offered by Employers Nationwide | California Benefit Advisors
Small employers, those with fewer than 100 employees, have a reputation for not offering health insurance benefits that are competitive with larger employers, but new survey data from UBA’s Health Plan Survey reveals they are keeping pace with the average employer and, in fact, doing a better job of containing costs. According to our new […]
You’re Invited! Health Insurance Savings through Creative Financing | California Benefit Advisors
Tired of celebrating the 10% increase? Join us in an innovative discussion on reducing your Health Insurance Premium through Creative Financing for your benefit program. Learn about turning a 10% increase into a 25% decrease. Keynote Speaker: Clifford Der, East West Administrators We will be discussing alternative funding from traditional Self-Funding to Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans. We will […]
Why Private Exchanges Haven’t Taken Off As Predicted | California Benefit Advisors
While the health care affordability crisis has become so significant, questions still linger—will private exchanges become a viable solution for employers and payers, and will they will continue to grow? Back in 2015, Accenture estimated that 40 million people would be enrolled in private exchange programs by 2018; the way we see this model’s growth […]
Self-Funding Dental: Leave No Stone Unturned | California Benefit Advisors
With all of the focus that is put into managing and controlling health care costs today, it amazes me how many organizations still look past one of the most effective and least disruptive cost-saving strategies available to employers with 150 or more covered employees – self-funding your dental plan. There is a reason why dental […]
Tax Treatment of Fixed Indemnity Health Plans | California Benefit Advisors
A fixed indemnity health plan pays a specific amount of cash for certain health-related events (for example, $40 per office visit or $100 per hospital day). The amount paid is neither related to the medical expense incurred, nor coordinated with other health coverage. Further, a fixed indemnity health plan is considered an “excepted benefit.” Under […]
Medicare Part D: Creditable Coverage Disclosures | California Benefit Advisors
Entities such as employers with group health plans that provide prescription drug coverage to individuals that are eligible for Medicare Part D have two major disclosure requirements that they must meet at least annually: Provide annual written notice to all Medicare eligible individuals (employees, spouses, dependents, retirees, COBRA participants, etc.) who are covered under the […]
Top Five Compliance Assessment Surprises | California Benefit Advisors
Our Firm is making a big push to provide compliance assessments for our clients and using them as a marketing tool with prospects. Since the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) began its Health Benefits Security Project in October 2012, there has been increased scrutiny. While none of our clients have been audited yet, we expect […]
Keeping Pace with the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act | California Benefit Advisors
Last fall, President Barack Obama signed the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act (PACE), which preserved the historical definition of small employer to mean an employer that employs 1 to 50 employees. Prior to this newly signed legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was set to expand the definition of a small employer to include […]
