Engage Employees to Achieve Cost Savings and Better Health Outcomes

As employers plan their benefits programs for 2025, they face the daunting task of managing costs while ensuring high-quality healthcare options for their workforce. The annual premium average for employer-sponsored family coverage in 2023 was $23,968, with employees contributing an average of 27.4%, or $6,575, according to the KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey. However, access to healthcare is only the first step. Many employees struggle to navigate the complex healthcare system, often seeking medical services

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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, current economic conditions, an aging population, and increased costs related to managing chronic conditions have led 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 Before considering

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Building Benefits Packages that Attract and Retain Baby Boomers

This article delves into effective benefits strategies for Baby Boomers, exploring their preferences and offering recommendations for engagement. Understanding Baby Boomers Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964 and have played a significant role in shaping American society and the workforce. As the enrollment season approaches, it’s crucial to understand what motivates this generation, the benefits they value most, and their preferred methods of communication and learning. Baby Boomer Profile Boomers have unique characteristics

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Demystifying Healthcare Costs: Employee Tips to Maximize Benefits and Save Money

healthcare costs

Healthcare costs can be confusing, but with the right knowledge and strategies, just about everyone can navigate this complex landscape effectively. Below are some helpful tips for employees to maximize their benefits and save money in the process.  Understanding Healthcare Costs Before diving into cost-saving tips, it’s essential to understand the various healthcare cost components. Healthcare expenses can include premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with prescription

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Healthcare Transparency and New Developments

Consumers often undertake significant research and price comparisons when buying an expensive item. Yet, when it comes to healthcare, comparison shopping has historically been nonexistent, partly due to a lack of cost transparency. Some providers treated requests for written estimates as a nuisance. Others could not provide an accurate estimate due to coordination issues with insurance companies and other key players in the industry. Healthcare Transparency Importance Transparency can provide benefits to everyone, including higher

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Non-Discrimination Testing

Offering employee health benefits is a great way to attract and retain talent, but companies must follow strict regulations to ensure fairness to all employees. The IRS monitors highly compensated employees’ eligibility and compares that to benefits available to lower compensation employees. All health plans must undergo annual non-discrimination testing. Learn more below. What is Non-Discrimination Testing? IRS rules state that self-insured health plans cannot discriminate in favor of Highly Compensated Employees (HCEs) concerning eligibility or benefits.

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Women’s Heart Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women – but despite the launch of numerous awareness initiatives, barely half understand the risks. Let’s look at what heart disease is and what we (especially women) can do about it. Heart Disease Basics “Heart disease” includes a variety of conditions that affect the heart structure and how it functions. Coronary artery disease, the most common, occurs

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Who Owns a Benefit Account?

Third-party administrators enable employers to offer benefits that help them attract and retain their valuable talent. However, employers do not own all benefit funds, nor do employees. These are essential questions when enrolling in benefits and spending down funds. So, let’s discuss who owns benefit accounts and ensure everyone fully understands the benefit account portability. What is portability? Benefits portability refers to the ownership of benefit account funds. If a particular type of benefits account

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Rebrand Benefits for Increased Utilization

Employers battle high healthcare costs by finding ways to reduce expenses and by achieving significant returns on the investments they ultimately make. With benefits being such an important factor in employee retention, return on investment is often the most critical. One method of increasing utilization and realizing a greater return on the employer investment in certain types of benefits is to rebrand them. Rebranding Targets Four commonly underutilized benefits that can be boosted by rebranding

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