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What is the PCORI fee?

Two significant drivers in healthcare cost escalation have always been the lack of consumer knowledge about medical procedure cost and the lack of patient engagement in healthcare decisions. Thanks to healthcare consumerism, this is starting to change. Healthcare consumerism is a movement to improve the quality of healthcare services while making delivery more efficient and cost-effective. It aims to accomplish this goal by putting purchasing power and decision-making in the hands of consumers. Agencies providing resources

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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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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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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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Summer Camps and DCFSAs

Parents look for camps to keep their little ones busy as the school year winds down. Did you know that parents can use their pre-tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSAs) to pay for some summer camps? 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 children), fees tend to be higher.

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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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