Answers to the Top 4 Questions about Section 105(h) Nondiscrimination Testing | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 105(h), a self-insured medical reimbursement plan must pass two nondiscrimination tests. Failure to pass either test means that the favorable tax treatment for highly compensated individuals who participate in the plan will be lost. The Section 105(h) rules only affect whether reimbursement (including payments to health care providers) under a … Continued

Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements and ERISA | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Certain small employers have the option to reimburse individual health coverage premiums up to a dollar limit through Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSE HRAs) under the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act). The Cures Act amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exclude QSE HRAs from the ERISA definition … Continued

Well-Being Strategies for a Diverse Workforce, Building Value at an Individual Level | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Your organization has 312 employees, which means you have 312 different needs for well-being support. Well-being strategies should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. Developing a set of flexible and responsive well-being strategies that meet changing individual needs throughout an employee’s tenure is a critical way to both attract and retain talent. A few case studies … Continued

Factor Emerging Trends, Generational Needs Into Wellness Programs | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Your wellness program seems to have it all – biometric screenings, lunch and learns, and weight loss challenges. So, why do you struggle with engagement, or to see any real results? While traditional wellness components are still a large part of plans today, emerging trends, coupled with generational differences, make for challenges when designing an … Continued

3 Questions to Ask When It Comes to Life Insurance | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Your life insurance needs will ebb and flow throughout your lifetime. Buying a term policy early in your career or taking a basic employer-issued life insurance policy is a common course of action. However, deciding how much and what type of life insurance you need at each stage of your life will serve you and … Continued

Why some companies offer an HRA | Chicago Benefit Advisors

In a world of insurance and acronyms, the term “HRA” is thrown around a lot, but it has a variety of meanings. HRA can mean health reimbursement account, heath reimbursement arrangement, or health risk assessment, and all of those mean something different. I want to be clear that in the following article I am going … Continued

FINANCIAL WELLNESS BENEFITS – ADAPTING THEM IN THE NEW WORKFORCE | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Over the past few years, we’ve seen tremendous growth in Financial Wellness Programs. Actually, as indicated in a recent report by Aon Hewitt, 77% of mid- to large-size companies will provide at least one financial wellness service in 2017; with 52% of employers providing services in more than 3 financial categories. So what are the … Continued

Is Your Wellness Program Compliant with the ACA, GINA and EEOC? | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Workplace wellness programs have increased popularity through the years. According to the most recent UBA Health Plan Survey, 49 percent of firms with 200+ employees offering health benefits in 2016 offered wellness programs. Workplace wellness programs’ popularity also brought controversy and hefty discussions about what works to improve population health and which programs comply with … Continued

What You Need To Know About Voluntary Benefits | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Voluntary Benefits are Supplementary Benefits in addition to the core benefits package that the employee can choose to add.

House Passes AHCA Bill in First Step to Repeal and Replace the ACA | Chicago Benefit Advisors

On May 4, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1628, a reconciliation bill aimed at “repealing and replacing” the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bill, titled the “American Health Care Act of 2017” or “AHCA,” will now be sent to the Senate for debate, where amendments can be made, … Continued

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