Modern medicine allows patients to receive comprehensive, life-saving treatments every day. However, advancements in healthcare come with a cost. Without health insurance, a serious medical procedure in a hospital can cost more than the average U.S. annual household income, which was $74,580 in 20221. Due to this high cost, individuals who require treatment often weigh the need for healthcare against a potentially high medical bill. KFF found that 61% of uninsured Americans went without much-needed medical care in the past 12 months due to the cost2. In this article, we'll share the top 20 mos ..read more

Comprehensive health benefits are a great way to attract and retain talented workers. However, finding affordable health benefits can be challenging for small business owners with a limited budget. One option available for small employers is the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit subsidizes the cost of employee health insurance plan premiums, making these benefits more affordable for many business owners. However, for a small employer to claim the credit, they must calculate the amount they’re eligible for and file IRS Form 8941 along with their an ..read more

Healthcare costs are high, with dental care expenses following suit. According to Authority Dental1, the average cost of a dental crown ranges from $800 to $2,500. While offering a primary dental policy can help employees cover these types of expenses, they may still have to pay a good portion of the bill. By offering supplemental dental insurance, you can help your employees save money on these costly procedures and maintain good oral health. In this article, we'll go over how you can offer supplemental dental insurance to your employees ..read more

In today's ever-evolving workforce, business owners are constantly looking for new ways to attract and retain top talent. Instead of offering a costly group health plan, one tactic they may consider is offering to pay employees' individual health insurance costs. While it may seem like a generous and attractive perk for employees, employers need to consider several factors before deciding to pay for individual health insurance plans. From costs and tax implications to legal requirements and employee preferences, navigating this benefit option can be complex. In this article, we'll go over a b ..read more

General wellness is becoming a top concern for Americans. Out of 169 countries, the U.S. ranks 35th for overall citizen health1. According to a 2023 Gallup survey, more Americans ate less healthy, had higher cholesterol, and received more diabetes diagnoses than before the COVID-19 pandemic2. That’s why more individuals have recently turned to general wellness programs to improve their overall health. General wellness activities and healthy foods can be expensive. If you have a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), health savings account (HSA), or healthcare flexible spending account (FSA ..read more

Running a business can involve various hidden costs, especially when you start to hire workers. Business owners and HR professionals must understand their burden rate to avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure they have the budget to support their workforce. In this article, we'll go over the details of burden rates and why they're an important consideration for any organization ..read more

The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer mandate requires applicable large employers (ALEs)—organizations with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees (FTEs)— to offer affordable health insurance that meets minimum essential coverage (MEC) and minimum value standards to at least 95% of their full-time employees. To help ALEs determine whether their health coverage is affordable for employees, the federal government created “safe harbors” to calculate the affordability of healthcare plans, including traditional group health plans and individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHR ..read more

Many companies often turn to professional employer organizations (PEOs) to handle various HR functions, such as employee benefits and insurance. This allows small organizations to focus on their core business operations while outsourcing certain administrative tasks to experts in the field. However, the relationship between PEOs and insurance can sometimes be confusing for those unfamiliar with the concept ..read more

When employees start a new job, they can feel tremendously uncertain, stressed, and nervous. One way to ease their anxieties and make them more comfortable is with a solid first impression and a welcoming environment. Extending a proper welcome to new hires isn’t just helpful for them—it’s also beneficial for your company. Taking the time to welcome them shows professionalism, boosts employee engagement, and helps retain your new hire for the long haul. A formal onboarding program is vital, but knowing how to welcome a new employee outside of onboarding can create a more positive and relaxed w ..read more

Small businesses often face challenges when providing health insurance for employees due to the high costs associated with traditional group health insurance plans. However, small businesses can consider several popular health insurance alternatives to provide their employees with access to healthcare coverage. In this article, we'll explore some popular health insurance alternatives for small businesses that can help you provide your employees with the coverage they need without breaking the bank ..read more