TeleMedicine | Chicago Benefit Advisors

It’s not surprising that 2017 stands to be the year many will have an experience to share using a Telemedicine or a Virtual Doctor service. With current market trends, government regulations, and changing economic demands, it’s fast becoming a more popular alternative to traditional healthcare visits. And, as healthcare costs continue to rise and there … Continued

Making Sense of the July 1 Paid Sick Leave Laws | Chicago Benefit Advisors

The number of paid sick leave laws for local areas and states around the country continue to grow.  If you have business operations in the areas listed below, plan to comply with the following new laws effective July 1, 2017:  Arizona Chicago, IL – Cook County Georgia Minneapolis, MN Arizona Earned Pay Sick Time Accrual … Continued

DOL Asks for MHPAEA Related Comments; Clarifies Eating Disorder Benefit Requirements | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Earlier this month, the Department of Labor (DOL) provided an informational FAQ relating to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act). This is the DOL’s 38th FAQ on implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions and related regulations. The DOL is requesting … Continued

Senate Releases Health Care Proposal | Chicago Benefit Advisors

This morning, Senate Republicans released their proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Called the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA), the Senate proposal adopts H.R. 1628, the bill narrowly passed last month by the House of Representatives, but replaces all the text. The Senate proposal was released without going through … Continued

AHCA and the Preexisting Conditions Debate—What Employers Can Do During Uncertainty | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Preexisting conditions. While it’s no doubt this term has been a hot topic in recent months—and notably misconstrued—one thing has not changed; insurers cannot deny coverage to anyone with a preexisting condition.  Now that House Resolution 1628 has moved to the Senate floor, what can employers and individuals alike expect? If passed by the Senate … Continued

What Happens to Coverage When Employees Reduce Their Hours? | Chicago Benefit Advisors

The Section 125 cafeteria plan regulations and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) require employers to take certain actions when an employee reduces hours. Consider this scenario: An employer has an employee who is reducing hours below 30 hours per week. The employee is performing the same job and duties. The employee was … Continued

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

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