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Tax Relief Changes for CTC and DCAP

In response to pandemic-related dependent care challenges, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) added temporary relief to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) program for 2021. The changes were expected to become permanent, but as 2021 ended, the legislation to achieve this did not pass. Now, qualified parents/guardians will be receiving refundable balances due as part of their 2021 tax return. More information on this, along with tax relief changes to Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) for 2022, are

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HSA Accounts Continue to Grow

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were introduced in 2003 as a way to help individuals offset high deductible health plan (HDHP) costs. Since then, they have grown steadily in both the number of accounts and account assets. Yet, despite appealing across demographic groups, HSAs still aren’t as well understood or utilized as 401k plans or IRAs. To some degree the accounts remain an untapped market. As such, growth of HSA accounts may continue exponentially with sufficient

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“What Brokers Should Expect from Technology Partners” – BenefitsPRO features article by DataPath President & CEO

Given the important role that the software solution can hold in the user experience equation, what should benefits brokers, TPAs and employers expect from their software providers? By John Robbins Jr. Originally Posted by BenefitsPRODecember 22, 2021 Benefit brokers, third-party administrators (TPAs) and human resource managers provide, administer and manage benefits packages for companies of all sizes. As the workplace evolves and workforce needs change, benefits are becoming more complex. The administrative systems relied on

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Transparency in Coverage: New for ’22

Healthcare costs are expected to trend higher by about 6.5 percent this year. COVID-19 and mental health care will drive the increase, among other health issues. But some relief is already here. Effective January 1, the No Surprises Act aims to protect patients after a service or product has already been provided by banning certain out-of-network billings and educating patients on how to question charges. The Transparency in Coverage rule, also now in effect, will help patients before a service

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How Employers Can Attract and Retain Top Talent

When the pandemic hit, workers were being furloughed or laid off in droves as forced shutdowns shrank or entirely eliminated many businesses. As businesses attempt to hire people back, another phenomenon has taken shape. Workers are refusing to go back to previous jobs or quitting the ones they do have. With so many positions to fill and so many people not working, what’s an employer to do? Money Alone is Not Enough Logic might dictate

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No Surprises Act: Making Healthcare Costs More Transparent

More than a third of employees in a recent survey said that the medical bills they receive after seeking care are “always or usually” a surprise to them. Yet, 28% say they pay them anyway because they don’t want to fight with the insurance company. What causes surprise medical billings? Insurance plans cover large portions of medical care, but deductibles or co-pays may come into play. Out-of-network providers may charge more for a service than

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Heart Health in Women

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both African American and Caucasian women. Despite the launch of numerous awareness initiatives, only a little more than half of women understand the risks. With understanding comes preventative measures. So let’s look at what heart disease is and what we (especially women) can do about it. What is heart disease? “Heart disease” includes a variety of conditions

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Help Employees Understand Their Benefits

Companies spend a lot of time and money creating valuable benefits plans for employees. But even after all that work, they still often get low participation. Good benefit choices require employers to help employees understand their benefits. PlanSponsor recently reported that two-thirds of employees want year-round help understanding and using their benefits. That number goes up to 78% among Millennials. So, let’s take a look at what employees need to best use the benefits you provide.

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“11 years of ACA: Consumer-directed health care accounts thrive” – BenefitsPRO Features Remarks from DataPath CMO

The ACA is in its second decade of affecting healthcare across the country. This legislation continues to have a major impact on Americans across a range of economic groups and industries. Its affects can also be felt in the CDH market. Originally Posted by BenefitsPRONovember 22, 2021 Healthcare reform has been debated for years, with many recent U.S. presidents trying to reshape the American system in different ways. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the

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Boost Employee Productivity by Respecting Physical and Mental Wellbeing

The pandemic has changed so many areas of life, including the way we work. Without warning, millions of Americans found themselves working remotely, becoming teachers at home, and having to isolate from colleagues and friends. The isolation and lack of camaraderie affected people differently. As employers begin to reopen offices, how can they keep employees productive while also respecting their physical and mental wellbeing? What challenges are employers facing to keep employees productive? As we

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