Blog

Everyone Benefits From Year-Round Benefits Communication


For most organizations, employee benefits communication kicks into high gear during open enrollment season. During this time, there is a surge in emails, educational webinars, fliers throughout the office, and a barrage of forms demanding signatures.

Post open enrollment, however, employees often receive minimal information about their benefits. While sporadic email updates or new laminated signs in the office kitchen may occur, a comprehensive, year-round employee benefits communication plan is often lacking.

This oversight represents a significant missed opportunity. An annual approach is insufficient to ensure that employees genuinely comprehend and effectively utilize their benefits.

(more…)

Tags: Blog, Custom Content, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits

6 Ways to Support Your Mental Health in 2024


As we begin to settle into 2024, many of us are thinking about New Year’s resolutions.  The start of a New Year signals a time for change, reflection and a sense of ‘starting afresh’. This year, you can seize the new year’s spirit of renewal and make mental health your top priority!

A healthy mind will increase your self-esteem, attract positivity, and help you break those persistent bad habits. Don’t make the mistake of only writing ‘improve mental health’ on your New Year’s resolution list. To ensure success, you need to have a plan.

(more…)

Tags: Blogging, custom content for benefit agencies, Trending Topics

Benefits 101: Tips and Tricks for a Healthy Season


‘Tis the season for family, festivity, and food—lots of food. The holidays dish up a triple whammy of wintry weather, irresistible foods, and stress, which can cause even the strongest-willed person to reach for another festive goodie.

While the notion of enjoying “healthy holidays” has a nice ring to it, reaching that goal can be very challenging.  Between the endless social gatherings and the to-do lists that seem longer than Santa’s list of names, balancing the season’s obligations often means that our diets take a backseat until the New Year.

(more…)

Tags: Blog, custom content for benefit agencies, health

The Benefits of Gratitude


You may have heard the saying attitude of gratitude.  It’s a great little rhyme to remind us to  live a life of gratitude – and practice it!  When we practice being thankful on a regular basis, it not only impacts our mental and physical health, but those around you as well.

The Definition of Gratitude

The emotion of gratitude is defined as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” We are familiar with the act of “thank you” to represent gratitude, but it also includes thinking on positive things that have happened during the day or your life, meditating on positive thoughts, and feeling grateful.

(more…)

Tags: Blog, custom content for benefit agencies, Trending Topics

What Is Accident Insurance?


Accidents happen. Whether you fall off a ladder, slip and break an arm, or get injured just living everyday life, an accident can happen. Anytime. Anywhere.

What Is Accident Insurance?

Accident insurance helps provide support when life’s most unexpected moments happen. It makes an accident less painful financially because it helps to pay the bills that your medical insurance doesn’t completely cover. It is important to understand that accident insurance is not intended to be a substitute for medical coverage. Instead, it is used as additional coverage and financial assistance.

(more…)

Tags: custom content for benefit agencies, Employee Benefits

The Impact of Flu Season on Working Parents


As the flu and RSV season gets underway, companies are asking themselves how they can support employees who need to stay home to care for their children.  In fact, last October, 104,000 Americans missed work because of “childcare problems” – the highest total since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the figure in 2003.  Although that number has since lowered, it has remained above historic levels. Experts have noted that one possible cause is the “Tripledemic” which includes flu, COVID, and RSV.

This isn’t just a problem for parents.  Workplace absences are a problem for employers.  When parents have to take time off work to care for their children due to illnesses, school closures, or other unforeseen circumstances, it can create challenges for employers in terms of maintaining productivity, meeting deadlines, and ensuring a stable work environment. This is especially true in situations where there is a lack of adequate family leave policies or flexible work arrangements.

(more…)

Tags: Blog, Custom Content, custom content for benefit agencies

Understanding Health Insurance Basics


Not understanding benefits terminology is near the top of the list of ways that open enrollment and benefits selection can stress you out.  Open enrollment is coming quickly and soon you will be talking about benefit options. The world of benefits and insurance can be confusing. In-network, out-of-network, deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance? What?

(more…)

Tags: Blog, custom content for benefit agencies, Employee Benefits

Open Enrollment: What Is It and How Does It Work?


For millions of Americans, the end of the year is open enrollment season – a yearly opportunity to take stock of your health care needs and select the health insurance plan that works best for you.  It is a window of time – typically in the fall – when you can sign up for health insurance, review, assess, and modify your existing benefits.

There are more choices than ever to help you find a plan that will best suit your health needs.  Think of it like planning a trip: you don’t pack a surfboard if you are planning to hike in the mountains.  Likewise, there is a lot to think about when selecting a health plan for the next year.  What does it cost?  Does it include your prescription or preferred doctors?  Understanding health insurance basics and how open enrollment works is essential for making informed choices about your benefits and insurance coverage.

(more…)

Tags: custom content for benefit agencies, Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits

Financial Aid: Helping Your Employees With Their Student Loan Debt


In the U.S., the outstanding balance is $1.75 trillion in student loan debt.  Approximately 55% of students from public four-year universities have student loans, with a balance of $37,338 owed per borrower.  Beginning in October, workers nationwide will need to resume payments on their student loans for the first time since March 2020.  The pandemic-related pause on both payments and interest accumulation that is ending is a stressor for employees who are increasingly seeking financial assistance from their employers.

(more…)

Tags: Blog, custom content for benefit agencies

Exploring Family-Building Benefits


Did you know that in 2017 the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization recognized infertility as a disease? Approximately 17.5% – roughly one in six couples– are affected by infertility in the U.S.

As societal norms and employee expectations continue to evolve, companies are recognizing the importance of offering comprehensive benefits packages that cater to the needs of their workforce. One area that has gained attention in recent years is fertility benefits. Here’s an overview of emerging fertility benefits and their significance:

(more…)

Tags: Blog, custom content for benefit agencies, Trending Topics