How employers can support employees at risk of overdose
Navigating conversations with employees at risk of overdose The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released data stating, in the 12 months between April 2020 to 2021, more than 100,000 people died from an overdose. This is an all-time high with over 600 people dying every day. With such staggering numbers, it’s easy to […]
Are There Tax Documents for Your Pre-Tax Benefits?
Benefit Resource (BRI) has been simplifying benefits for 30 years. We’re here to provide you with a short guide to help you understand the required tax documents for your pre-tax benefits. HSA A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a savings account that provides tax-free contributions and potential tax deductions for qualified medical expenses incurred by […]
What’s In and What’s Out: Review of Expiring Legislative Relief and Looking Ahead to 2022
Sometimes change comes roaring in with a big splash and flashing lights. But other times, change comes quietly. You have to read the fine print to even know that it is happening. This is where many Human Resources professionals find themselves these days as they try to navigate modifications to their benefit plans and the […]
One Plan to Rule Them All: How HSAs Work for Different Incomes
JRR Tolkien said it best, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Ever asked yourself, have I planned ahead enough? Whether it’s prepping meals for the next week or setting your sights on goals that are years away, planning ahead can be overwhelming. We’re sharing how […]
Finding an Effective Drug Addiction Program
Does your benefit plan include a drug addiction program and solutions for employees? Drug overdose deaths have tripled since 1990. Nearly 21 million Americans struggle with addiction, but only 10% receive treatment. However, seeking recovery can present challenges that often result in an extended journey to overcome the addiction. Addictions can destroy careers, marriages, friendships, […]
Benefits 101: What to know about HSAs as open enrollment approaches
We were recently featured in an article on Employee Benefits News discussing what to know about Health Savings Accounts. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be a critical benefit that supports employees’ physical and financial well-being — and more employers are focused on not letting these tools fall through the cracks during Open Enrollment. “HSAs create […]
5 Great Reasons to Celebrate HSA Awareness Day This Year
HSA Awareness Day is October 15th, and we are so excited to share our love of Health Savings Accounts with…well, everyone! Before we get started, here are a few tidbits about HSAs: Putting the HSA in “HSA Awareness Day” Happy Birthday! HSAs were first legislated into existence in 2003. While HSAs are now legally considered […]
HSA contribution models: Which one is better?
Employers building out their company’s HSA contribution models often choose the default option, but there are more choices than general experience might suggest. While there is nothing wrong with the status quo, employers should consider their financial goals and allow that to inform their choice, even if it means adjusting certain processes. In this article, […]
Personal protective equipment: Buying masks and hand sanitizer?
NOTE: A previous version of this blog on personal protective equipment was originally published in October 2020. It has been updated to include a new legislative updates from March 2021 and more. In March 2021, the IRS released Announcement 2021-7, establishing that “personal protective equipment such as masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes, used for […]
The Actual Cost of a Free HSA
Free Health Savings Account? But is it really? Spoiler Alert: it’s not! Download our full infographic below to learn about the actual cost of a free HSA: Despite a steady increase in consumer demand for health savings accounts, employers—even those that already offer an HSA-eligible high-deductible health plan—may struggle to see the value in offering […]
9 benefits tips that Schitt’s Creek taught us
At Benefit Resource (BRI) we love to talk about how our benefit programs save both companies and employees real (hard-earned) money. But we would love to show you what we offer even more. Check out this interesting Schitt’s Creek GIF approach. ? It looks like we can learn a few things from the Rose family. […]
HSA 2022 contribution limits
Find details on the HSA 2022 contribution limits for individuals and families and HDHP requirements here! Note: If you are age 55 or older, you can continue to make an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution. For employers and individuals currently in a plan set at or near the minimum deductible limits, you will need to make […]
3 ideas from psychology to communicate about HSAs
As a third-party administrator (TPA), we consistently receive feedback from our clients that employees struggle to fully grasp benefits, especially during Open Enrollment when it’s most crucial. Within the pre-tax benefit space, your work is cut out for you as a human resource professional. Now that you’ve explained (again) how insurance works, you get to […]
Back in the office? Keep these essentials close!
Return to work is this summer’s hottest topic, and we’re jumping on the bandwagon. We’ve put together a list of five essentials to keep in your bag as you get ready to head back in the office. The best part about this list: they’re all FSA eligible expenses! 1. Sunscreen Going back to work means […]
Your Introductory Guide to HSA Adoption
Are you offering an Health Savings Account but your employees give you a confused stare look when you utter the words “HSA” or, worse yet, you get no response at all? Let’s fix that. Inside the Introductory Guide to HSA Adoption, you will learn how to: Design a plan backed by practical best practices Increase […]
2020 HSA Contribution Deadline Pushes for Second Year
Once again, tax time is no longer just April 15th. For the second year in a row, the Federal Tax filing deadline has been extended for most taxpayers. What does this mean for the 2020 HSA contribution deadline? What is the 2020 tax filing deadline? ?First, the federal tax filing deadline was extended from April […]
3 Things You Thought Were Eligible that Actually Aren’t
Picture this: you’re at your local pharmacy filling your cart after receiving your benefits card in the mail. When you get to the register, your card doesn’t seem to want to swipe. WHAT?! Angrily, you step aside and call your benefits provider to give them a piece of your mind. Apparently, according to the person […]
Covering health care costs in retirement
Whether it’s right around the corner or still decades away, there is never a wrong time to consider how to cover health care costs in retirement. According to a 2019 study by HealthView Services, couples in their 50s today are expected to pay around $400,000 in lifetime retirement health care costs. Yikes! So, how can […]
Anatomy of an HSA
Welcome to BRI’s Anatomy of an HSA – class is now in session! Today we answer questions such as: What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)? Are you eligible? Why are HSAs so great? What do the studies show? Why is an HSA worthy of your time and attention? Are you ready to dive into […]
An Ode to HSAs in 5 Parts
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are basically the hot new(ish) accessory in the benefits world these days. We are here to sing the praises of HSAs in five parts: You keep your funds forever We did a quick Q&A with Squints from The Sandlot about HSAs: BRI: So, Squints, how long do you get to keep […]
Simplify your New Year’s resolutions with 4 easy ideas
New Year’s resolutions are a funny human phenomenon. The story goes… as the clock counts down every New Year’s Eve, millions of people around the world celebrate with the hope AND intention that next year will be better than the last– the start of a clean slate! Everyone loves a few good stats, so here […]
Don’t shy away from a high-deductible health plan because of the name
“HIGH-DEDUCTIBLE health plan? No way!” Did you think like this when enrolling in benefits for this year and opt into one of the other insurance choices? We wouldn’t blame you – the name alone doesn’t make this health plan type sound too appealing. We’re here to tell you that you might want to consider switching […]
7 ways to manage your benefits better, based on your personality
If you are looking for a new way to manage your benefits this year, you might enjoy building it around an approach that factors in your existing organizational habits and your personality. While it often feels like benefits are a tertiary part of our daily lives, incorporating them as part of the bigger picture helps […]
15 Eligible Medical Expenses Under $15
The end of 2020 is (finally) almost here. That means it’s time to start planning how you’re going to use up those extra FSA funds. To avoid losing any of that pre-tax money to the use-it-or-lose-it rule, it’s important to plan your spending down to the last dollar. To help, we’ve put together a list […]
