Blog Archives

QSEHRAs’ Growth and Success

For years, employers have been actively providing support for the healthcare needs of their employees. However, smaller businesses faced difficulties in managing costs and often required assistance in finding affordable healthcare options. To address these challenges, Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Accounts (QSEHRAs) were created by the 21st Century Cures Act in December 2016.These accounts are growing in popularity among employers due to their appealing cost control options. So, what are QSEHRAs, how is their

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What is a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan?

A Section 125 Cafeteria Plan is an employer-sponsored benefits program that lets employees pay for certain qualified medical expenses, such as health insurance premiums, on a pre-tax basis. It’s called a “cafeteria plan” because, like the dining options at a cafeteria, employees can pick and choose the healthcare options they want, such as medical, dental, vision, and other benefits, while declining ones they don’t. It’s important to note that a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan does

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LSA FAQs

Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs) have been used successfully in other countries for some time now but are relatively new to the U.S. Here are answers to commonly asked questions about this very flexible benefits option. What is a Lifestyle Spending Account? LSAs are employer-funded accounts that employees can use to pay for products, services, and activities that support employee well-being. Qualified expenses may involve physical, mental/emotional, or financial health. Because LSAs do not provide tax

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HSA FAQs

Health Savings Accounts are increasing in popularity due to participants’ ability to reduce healthcare expenses, save on taxes, and put additional money aside for retirement. HSAs have been available since 2005, and people have many questions about how to qualify for an account, what expenses are eligible, how to open an account, and other Health Savings Account FAQs. Here’s what you need to know about these powerful tax-advantaged tools.

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HSAs and Workplace Wellness

Companies looking to reduce health plan costs while maximizing employee quality of life may want to consider coupling a workplace wellness program with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and Health Savings Account (HSA). Workplace Wellness Programs Wellness programs help employees become healthier as well as better consumers of healthcare in three ways: Employers may offer wellness initiatives to help employees make better lifestyle choices and improve their health. But cost control may also be

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5 Ways to Control Rising Benefit Costs

Healthcare costs in America have risen significantly since the 1970s, leading many employers to expect modest yearly cost increases in the benefits they offer. However, the combination of current economic conditions, increased costs related to managing chronic conditions, and an aging population are leading to less manageable increases for many employers. Here are five ways TPAs can help employers continue offering high-value benefits while working to control rising benefits costs. #1 Ask Participants What They Need

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HSA Contribution Limits Announced

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced updated HSA annual contribution limits. An important part of consumer-directed healthcare, HSAs offer participants enrolled in HSA-qualified (HDHP) health plans a way to save on taxes while setting aside money for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for themselves and their families.

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Four Generations, One Workforce: Creating a Benefits Program for All

Americans live and work longer, leading to a four-generation workforce in different life stages and with differing needs. Creating a benefits package that satisfies their varied needs can prove challenging. Diverse Needs In its latest Workplace Wellness Survey, the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) examined financial stressors as well as overall financial, emotional, and physical well-being. Financial Well-Being Financial well-being is of moderate to high concern for 28% of younger workers, 37% of middle-aged workers, and

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IRS Confirms Claim Substantiation Requirements

In a recent memorandum (TAM 202317020) from the Office of Chief Counsel, the IRS addressed claims substantiation requirements for reimbursement of medical and dependent care expenses from FSA accounts. The memo also described the tax consequences of not complying with claims substantiation requirements. This memo is vital for FSA administrators because it confirms the IRS’s position that ALL medical and dependent care claims must be substantiated in order to avoid major tax penalties resulting from

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How Does Medicare Affect HSA Usage?

Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) participants can use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to help cover their deductible responsibility. But what happens when they become eligible for Medicare? Medicare Basics Medicare is a federal health insurance program for those aged 65 and older as well as younger Americans with certain disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease. Each of Medicare’s four parts offers a different type of coverage: HSA Basics An HSA is a tax-advantaged benefit that

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Summer Camps and DCFSAs

Thanks largely to COVID, summer camps have been widely unavailable for the last couple of years. It’s very welcome news that camps are now back, all across the country. Even better, parents can use their pre-tax dependent care dollars to pay camp fees. Summer Camp Costs There are numerous options for children’s summer activities, including various age-appropriate, themed experiences and durations. For camps with significant academic components or more complex themes (usually targeted at older

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Guide to Investing Your HSA Account for Growth

The following infographic, “A Guide to Investing Your HSA Account for Growth”, provides an overview of Health Savings Account (HSA) basics. Read below to find out why HSAs are a great option for retirement, investment strategies, and more. Guide To Investing Your HSA Account for Growth Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are more than just a tax-advantaged tool for paying medical expenses. They can also help you save for retirement. Why include HSAs in retirement planning? HSAs

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Employer-Sponsored Insurance: Still Number One

The Commonwealth Fund recently issued a brief on “What Employers Say About the Future of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance.” American employers have had ties to health insurance since World War II, but programs like the Affordable Care Act and Inflation Reduction Act could shift that bond. The Fund interviewed over two dozen benefits executives. Highlights are presented here as food for thought. Impact of the Affordable Care Act Enacted in March 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) sought

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HRA and HSA At the Same Time? Yes!

Healthcare spending accounts, such as Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), help individuals and families pay for medical expenses. They also provide more control over how and where to pay for those expenses. One frequently asked question is, “Can a person have an HRA and HSA simultaneously?”. The answer is yes; you can have an HRA and HSA simultaneously under specific circumstances. However, to understand the advantages of having both accounts, let’s first look

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FAQs About COVID-19 National Emergency End

The Biden Administration is currently expected to end the COVID-19 National Emergency on May 11, 2023. In preparation, the departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services released Q&A Part 58 on March 29. In addition to reviewing the highlights below, you are strongly encouraged to read and digest the complete, 15-page Q&A document. COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing Q1: Do the COVID-19 testing coverage requirements under section 6001 of the FFCRA apply to items and

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