benefits

Should I Use an Insurance Broker?

Benefits, Benefits Plans, Employee Benefits, Employees, Insurance, Leadership, Workforce, Workplace, Insurance Broker

One of the best benefits of insurance brokers is that they work for the consumer to procure insurance plans that meet their needs instead of insurance companies. Furthermore, brokers work with several insurance carriers, so they can shop around to find the best pricing and plans to meet the needs of a business and individual clients. They often receive broker discounts from insurance companies and, at times, can pass those savings on to the consumer.

by Chris Freitas

Tuition Reimbursement: How Do Employers Benefit from It?

Benefits, Benefits Plans, Employee Benefits, Employee Training, Employees, Leadership, Workforce, Workplace, Education, Tuition Reimbursement

It is common knowledge that student loan debt is a combined trillion-dollar concern for millions of Americans. However, that doesn’t deter individuals, young and old alike, from pursuing higher education. It does, however, give them cause to find lower-priced colleges and various means to pay for college without going into insurmountable debt. Grants, low-interest loans, work-study, and tuition reimbursement are all options to help cover college expenses.  

by Chris Freitas

New Trends in Employee Benefits for 2021

Benefit Advisors, Benefits, Benefits Plans, Employee Benefits, Employee Training, Employees, Insurance, Leadership, Technology, Workforce, Workplace, Online Benefits, Education

Employee benefits are an essential part of any employee value proposition. Employers have continually used their comprehensive benefits plan to attract and retain top talent in competitive job markets for decades.

As we continue into Q1 of 2021, there is no question that 2020 was a year that will go down in history. Between the pandemic and natural disasters to the changing political landscape, we saw a shift in the benefits employees desired and needed.

by Chris Freitas

HDHP Benefits: 9 Benefits and 5 Disadvantages to Consider

Benefits, Health Insurance, Health Plans, Healthcare, Insurance, Health Care Cost

The medical insurance landscape looks a lot different today than it did two decades ago. At one point in time, quality, employer-backed medical insurance was a given. However, with the persistent rise in healthcare costs since the early 2000s, employers have had to reassess health insurance plans and determine what makes the most sense for both the business and employees. In some instances, employers have had to make the tough decision to cut back on the health insurance benefits offered.

by Chris Freitas

HMO vs PPO Insurance Plans: What’s the Difference?

Benefits, Compliance, Employee Illness/Injury, Government Shutdown, Health Insurance, Health Plans, Healthcare, Insurance, Law, Health Care Cost

Health insurance is an essential benefit that everyone needs. Medical bills are one of the top reasons individuals file for bankruptcy in the United States. The cost of healthcare is also one of the top stressors for Americans.

Health insurance provides financial security for illnesses, accidents, and injuries. Without medical insurance, individuals are often faced with letting their overall health go unchecked or face mounds of debt due to medical bills accumulated from catastrophic events or chronic illness.

by Chris Freitas

Business Interruption Insurance and COVID-19

Benefits, Compliance, Employee Illness/Injury, Government Shutdown, Health Insurance, Health Plans, Healthcare, Insurance, Law, Health Care Cost

Owning and operating a business requires the purchase of insurance to mitigate risks associated with potential losses. Examples of essential business policies are property insurance, professional liability insurance, and commercial auto insurance. However, another necessary insurance policy many business owners overlook is business interruption insurance.

Business interruption insurance helps a business stay afloat if a temporary closure occurs due to covered perils. Without business interruption insurance, a company forced to close temporarily due to something like a fire or a hurricane would face dealing with income losses out of pocket. Many small businesses do not have the financial resources available to support payroll and other operating expenses when there is a loss of income due to forced closure.

by Chris Freitas

Construction Liability Insurance vs. Builders Risk Insurance

Benefits, Employee Illness/Injury, Health Insurance, Health Plans, Healthcare, Insurance, Law, Health Care Cost

For those who are in the construction business, there are certain insurance policies you need to carry to protect your project and business. Without the right coverage level, companies could face a substantial loss due to potential lawsuits or damages.

Construction liability insurance and builders risk insurance are two essential insurance policies for every construction project. Though many think these two types of insurance policies are interchangeable, that is not the case. Each covers and excludes different risks and damages, as outlined below.

by Chris Freitas

In Network vs Out of Network Providers

Benefits, Benefits Plans, Employee Benefits, FSA, Group Health, Health Insurance, Health Plans, Healthcare, Insurance, Open Enrollment, HDHPs, Health Care Cost

Health insurance is essential to help cover medical costs. However, the patient can easily get confused when they need to determine which of their doctor visits and medical expenses will be covered versus those that won’t. It becomes even more confusing when the patient’s doctor is unexpectedly gone from their current health plan.

The question comes down to whether your doctors and other healthcare providers are in network vs out of network.

by Chris Freitas

Does Health Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care?

Benefits, Benefits Plans, Employee Benefits, Health Insurance, Health Plans, Healthcare, Insurance, Therapy

More and more people are turning to chiropractic care to treat acute and chronic pain and disorders of the nervous and musculoskeletal system. According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the use of chiropractors increased from 9.1% to 10.3% from 2012 to 2017. Per the American Chiropractic Association, it is estimated that more than 35 million Americans see chiropractors each year.

by Chris Freitas

Work from Home Jobs: Is This the New Normal?

Benefits, Benefits Plans, Employee Benefits, Group Health, Health Insurance, Health Plans, Healthcare, Insurance

The new normal is a regular topic of conversation. However, this isn’t necessarily a water cooler conversation at the office. Wearing masks, concerns of contracting COVID, being home a lot more often, educating our kids from home, and work from home jobs are all part of our current “normal.”

by Chris Freitas