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National Immunization Awareness Month: How to Incorporate Preventive Care Into Your Benefits Strategy

"Promote vaccines and the benefits your company offers to cover the cost of vaccines as part of a broader health & wellbeing strategy promoting prevention and self-care. Educate employees and eliminate [these] barriers: [1] ACA plans cover preventive immunizations at 100%; [2] Most network retail pharmacies offer immunizations; [3] Offer on-site immunization clinics or offer immunization through health fairs."

Employee Benefits Trends to Watch in 2019

"Customization of employee benefits ... Location of service delivery ... Creative funding of health plans and their risk ... Digitization of benefits ... Student loan assistance ... Parental perks."

Voluntary Benefits Can Offer Post-Pandemic Lifeline to Employees

"In 2021, employers will continue to seek ways to expand the voluntary benefit offerings in their employee benefit packages to provide more-customized options to meet workforce needs ... [1] A growth spurt for the voluntary benefits industry.... [2] All voluntary benefits that address employees' financial well-being will likely take top billing.... [3] Even more customization of benefits will be of interest to employees.... [4] Employees will continue to look more closely at voluntary benefits available to them."

Tips for Communicating Benefits Topics to Millennials -- from a Millennial

"Millennials have high expectations when it comes to technology.... You won't get the attention of a millennial with an hour-long mandatory meeting teeming with insurance jargon.... Millennials prefer a more personal means of communication in the workplace.... Offer a benefits package that caters to all life stages.... It's important to highlight how your company's benefits will provide savings and teach employees use their plans effectively. "

Comprehensive Guide to Creating a Long-Term Benefits Strategy

"[R]evisit and adapt areas of your program as the workforce continues to change based on economic, personal and geographical needs.... Having a financial plan for your benefits package can be a great starting point ... [E]mployers need to monitor the effects of their benefit offerings to determine if the benefits package aligns with the cost expectations for both the employee and employer.... Never underestimate the power of evaluating different funding mechanisms."

The Effect of Employer-Provided Telemedicine Benefits on Employee HSA Eligibility

"[1] Clearly communicate to employees enrolled in an HDHP that use of the telemedicine benefit will prohibit contributions to the HSA bank account. [2] Include telemedicine program in any COBRA offer of coverage. [3] If offering benefits through a cafeteria plan, offer telemedicine contributions as pre-tax elections. [4] Prepare and file a Form 5500 for any telemedicine plan with 100 or more participants ... [5] Discontinue the offer of telemedicine services to those enrolling in the HDHP and who have, will have, an HSA bank account, until the time that any new regulatory guidance is rendered."

The 'New Normal' of Benefits Employers Can Promote

"[1] Telehealth services.... [2] Telework.... [3] Dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts.... [5] Connecting resources.... [5] Spotlight disability benefits."

How Will COVID-19 Change Employee Benefits?

"Virtually overnight, the insurance and healthcare world made a giant pivot to be able to offer medical care in a virtual environment.... [E]mployers are going to need a formal leave management program.... Not being able to have in-person meetings is forcing us all to experiment with -- and become proficient in -- other modes of communication."

Tips to Improve Benefits Implementation and Utilization

"Offer several forms of communications that are tailored to your unique workforce.... Providing examples of scenarios that might apply to your workforce will help them paint a picture of the benefits plan that might work best for them.... Provide a glossary of terms.... Identify and leverage the existing information from the online tools provided by insurance carriers."

Family-Friendly Benefits on the Rise

"Check out these 4 benefits offerings that are top of mind for many prospective employees: [1] Fertility preservation ... [2] Parental leaves of absence ... [3] Flexible working arrangements ... [4] Adoption assistance programs."