Knock, Knock. Who’s there?
Today is Halloween. An annual tradition of costumes, face paint, spooky stories, and the inevitable sugar crash. However, we want to honor a different tradition this year. One so ubiquitous it’s deeply entrenched in the all too familiar “Dad jokes”, kindergarten classes, and has been a cornerstone in slap-stick humor for over a century. Today […]
Enrolling in benefits creates a level of stress that’s scary
Most employees look forward to enrolling in benefits about as much as a cat looks forward to taking a bath. I was talking to a friend recently who said her boyfriend received his Open Enrollment materials in the mail… and promptly threw them on the table unopened. According to the 2017 Benefits Communication Survey from Jellyvision, […]
Two Truths and a Lie, Pre-Tax Benefits Style
If you took the BRight Ideas quiz from Benefit Resource this year, you may already know the answer to these questions. Haven’t taken the quiz yet? Take it here. If you’ve never played the game Two Truths and a Lie, the premise is simple. You are presented with three statements- two are true and one […]
Finding the sweet spot for your FSA election
If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you know that every year during Open Enrollment (OE), you choose how much to put aside in the account, otherwise known as your election. Recalling Stephen Covey’s second habit of highly effective people – begin with the end in mind® – you can base your election off of […]
Eenie meenie miney mo – Which account should I choose?
As kids, there were fun games that helped us make choices… In benefits, we are often presented with a 50 page document and told “Here you go. Choose. By the way, Open Enrollment closes on Friday. Time is of the essence.” Too bad making your pre-tax benefit account decisions is not as easy as pointing […]
Pre-Tax Benefits Explained Through Emojis ⚕️
What is a pre-tax benefit account? ?♂️ A pre-tax benefit account allows you to set aside money from your paycheck before taxes to use for IRS-approved purchases. The items you can pay for through a pre-tax benefit account depends on which plan(s) you have. There are three categories a pre-tax benefit account can fall under: […]
Millennials and Benefits: Lost in Translation
Millennials and benefits administrators may seem to have more differences than similarities. But zooming out, it appears each group engages in a common phenomenon: Using the language specific to their culture. How do you cross the cultural divide between Millennials and benefits administrators? What is needed for effective communication? We argue that successful communication relies […]
Secrets revealed: 4 Questions Answered About Benefit Resource
Among benefits administrators, Benefit Resource can sometimes have a flair for the dramatic. We have been known to use a few too many acronyms or even create our own words. But, no need to worry. Our secrets are out in… Four Questions Answered About Benefit Resource. What is COD? We have a tendency to overdo […]
Flu season is here- are you ready?
Remember TheraFlu and Emergen-C? They will be making a reappearance shortly, along with the flu virus. Before flu season takes full effect, there are several preventative measures you can take early. Add them to your yearly routine to decrease your chances of catching and spreading the virus. Get a Flu Shot Visit an on-site flu […]
When employees ask “Am I eligible for…?”
Employees can find eligibility requirements confusing. HR managers can, too. Because let’s face it– the rules and regs around eligibility aren’t always easy to understand. But they aren’t impossible to understand, either. (Thankfully). You just need to get the basics and then commit to understanding the nuances. Ready to jump into the eligibility pool with […]
Getting the inside scoop on integrations
The word “integration” has been getting a lot of attention in health benefits and pre-tax benefit accounts. There are many different varieties of integration and considerations. The first thought might be… “It’s integrated. It must be better.” But before making a final call on integration, it might be best to dig a little deeper and […]
Checklist for a smooth re-enrollment
For employers with re-enrollment approaching, it’s busy season. From selecting benefit options to making sure employees attend re-enrollment meetings, there is a lot to manage. To help this year’s re-enrollment go smoothly, cross these off your re-enrollment checklist: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Employees need to hear a message an average of seven times before understanding it. […]
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to work you go…
Have you ever wished you could wave a magic wand to help you through life’s harder moments, like facing unemployment or paying for your $200 monthly commute? Unfortunately, we don’t have a wand to offer you. But we can play the part of the fairy godmother and offer you advice on how to use your […]
Five Reasons to Love the IRS
Let’s be honest. The words “Love” and “IRS” have probably never been used in the same sentence. We are more likely to cringe a little at the very word I-R-S (AKA Internal Revenue Service). There might even be some people that go into immediate cold sweats and their faces turn ghost-like. We are here as […]
The Basics of a Consumer-Driven Health Plan
Consumer–Driven Health Plan (CDHP): What does it really mean? There are certainly a number of interpretations or definitions of a Consumer-Driven Health Plan. The reality is that it isn’t any one thing, but a movement to give employees and individuals a more active role in paying for their medical expenses. The most common interpretation of a […]
There are no stupid pre-tax questions
“Why is the sky blue?” “Where do babies come from?” “How do I update my account information?” There is no such thing as a stupid question, from meteorology to biology to pre-taxology. Because let’s face it- you don’t know what you don’t know. Thankfully, Benefit Resource is there to answer your employees’ miscellaneous pre-tax questions. […]
HSA Teaser or The Future?
Recently, there was a little excitement in the pre-tax benefits world as the House approved two bills (H.R. 6199 and H.R. 6311) that would expand and strengthen health savings accounts (and other pre-tax health accounts). These bipartisan bills provide common sense solutions to address the availability and use of HSAs and other pre-tax health accounts. […]
Wait, what do you mean these aren’t eligible under my FSA?
“Claim denied: expense is not eligible under an FSA.” If you’ve ever received one of these, you probably thought “But wait! I used it for [insert medical term] purpose!” Unfortunately, while we all know your intentions were pure, the IRS has a two part requirement for an expense to be eligible: It must be used […]
What are plan highlights and where do I find them?
Plan highlights might be a term you’ve come across in emails or notices from your employer in regards to your pre-tax benefits. While it is good practice to understand all documentation involved with your Plans, you will want to pay particular attention to your Plan Highlights. For this post, we will be focusing on two […]
Protect Against Identity Theft With Better Cybersecurity
Identity theft is a growing trend, with the 2019 NortonLifeLock Cyber Safety Insights Report confirming that close to 46 million consumers* fell victim to identity theft. To successfully avoid identity theft within your benefits program, implement a comprehensive cybersecurity approach covering these three areas. Nearly one out of two people were (44%) affected by identity […]
Achieving Healthcare Independence
Make this fourth of July your Healthcare Independence Day. Independence can take many forms, including healthcare independence. Through a pre-tax benefit account, you can increase your healthcare options and maintain healthcare independence at any age. Increase Your Options Everyday Needs Pre-tax benefit accounts provide you and your dependents with increased control over your healthcare expenses. […]
HSAs and Pre-tax Benefits: What is HSA-compatible? (Part One)
So you think you have it all figured out. You’re going with the HSA. Wait, was it the HRA? Or, maybe it was an FSA. No, it was definitely the Health Savings Account—HSA. But then someone starts talking about all of the HSA-compatible account options you have. The choices can be overwhelming and the desire […]
Don’t touch that! and other summer wellness tips
With summer and warm weather arriving, there are inevitably more days outside. This brings more opportunity for fun, but also more opportunity for risk. Be a more active consumer in your health this summer by making sure you’re checking the boxes for summer wellness. Easy Access to the First Aid Kit Before your kids […]
How Tax Deductions Work
Even if you’ve filed your taxes before, you may still not be entirely sure how tax deductions work within pre-tax benefits. The principle is the same as the standard deduction and itemized deductions. At a high level, pre-tax accounts allow you to set aside money before taxes to use for qualified health, child care or […]
