News
Healthcare and Holiday Cookies
Maybe it is holiday nostalgia or my wife’s delicious Christmas baking but metaphorically speaking, I feel a good group health plan is just like Grandma’s sugar cookies, when you get it right, people notice and keep coming back for more. We take pride in finding the right health plan that works for our clients and
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Health Insurance Benefits Solutions for Employers of 2 to 500 Employees
Offered through National General Benefits Solutions, these inclusive and innovative level-funded health insurance plans are suitable for employers of between 2 – 500 employees, including 1099 contractors. The three plan types are Core Value, Standard PPO and Advantage Plans as described below: Core Value A reference-based pricing plan that pays based on a multiple of
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Survival Can Come At A Cost
Unexpected life changes happen at every stage of life. However, unlike marriages, birthdays and job promotions, which are celebrated and welcomed, other life changes can be devastating. Life threatening accidents or changes in health can wreak emotional and financial havoc on a family. For some, there may be a safeguard. It’s called a living benefit.
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The Unexpected Consequences of Covid-19
Healthcare in the Spotlight The pandemic has brought common healthcare plan issues into the spotlight. Inadvertently, it has created an opportunity for forward thinking employers to reevaluate their plan design and improve things like the absence of mental health support, ‘ineffective deductibles’, limited employee choices or a ‘lack of transparency that leads to waste.’ Allowing
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Controlling Healthcare Costs
The Balancing Act Finding the right balance between health benefits and cost management is difficult for many Washington State employers, especially now. Without sacrificing quality, matching the best group health plan with the needs of their employees and their families while navigating new FMLA legislation (during a pandemic no less!), is particularly challenging. Historically companies
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Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act)
Effective April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 Click Here for the Full Version/Printable FFCRA Poster Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. Paid Leave Entitlements: Up to two weeks (80
Read moreForgivable Loans from the SBA
Forgivable loans are available and include costs for payroll and health insurance premiums. Loan applications are being accepted by approved SBA lenders starting Friday, April 3, 2020. We encourage employers to contact a lender and seek this assistance as soon as possible as demand will be extremely high. Here are some helpful links: SBA Lenders
Read moreHow To Get Care For COVID-19 (Premera Blue Cross)
With so much information – both good and bad, circulating about the coronavirus, Premera Blue Cross has published a useful online resource we’d like to share on ‘how to get care for COVID-19’. Link: https://www.premera.com/wa/visitor/outbreaks/ It clearly lists links for ‘up-to-date’ information, how to access virtual care, FAQ, an online form to find out information
Read moreImportant Numbers To Know In 2020
The Internal Revenue Service announced some very important number companies and employees need to know about health savings accounts, 401(k)s and flexible spending accounts. Note: All of the changes take place in January 2020. 401(k) Pre Tax Limit Increases – Pre-tax contribution limits for employees who participate in a 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans increases
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Understanding Your Health Benefits
A Brief History Already under scrutiny, when the Studebaker Car Manufacturing company closed and couldn’t fulfill its pension promises to its thousands of employees during the 1960s, the event was a catalyst for citizens and politicians alike to demand pension reform. Enacted and signed into law by President Ford on Labor Day 1974, the Employee
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