“The Benefit Company is Committed to Remaining Privately Held”, one brochure stated.  We recently had an internal discussion about employers being better off as a client of our firm because we are Privately Held. One of our team members asked, “Do employers care if we are Privately Held?”  An immediate response included, “…nimble, flexible, entrepreneurial – …

With the beginning of each New Year, many individuals contemplate a set of New Year’s resolutions. Webster’s Dictionary defines a resolution as a firm commitment to do or not to do something. In what ways can employers develop resolutions for employees and their benefits package?  To identify what I believe is a priority in this …

Question: What is the current status of the court case that is challenging the ACA’s constitutionality? Short Answer:  At this time, the case’s current status does not impact employers’ group health plans (e.g., it’s business as usual). However, employers should stay informed for the final decision in this case. Some states have already announced they will challenge this …

Why is it that one company invests more than $2,000 annually per employee in wellness, yet an employer in the same office complex balks at spending $60 for their employees? While the gap between employers offering a wellness program and those who do not is shrinking, we must ask “Why?” As more employers embrace wellness, …

While I may not be the best person to ask, since I personally own two cats and three dogs, there are numerous ways in which a pet (cat, dog, bunny, fish . . . ) can help with our physical and emotional well-being.  To arrive home and be greeted by a licking, loving, cuddling, happy …

Volunteering can help you learn new skills, meet new people and feel good about helping others. Researchers have found it can benefit your health, too. Healthier blood pressure: A Carnegie Mellon study revealed that adults 50 and older who volunteered about 200 hours a year were less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers. …

Legal Updates & Reminders: New Model FMLA Notices & Medical Certification Forms are now available on the gov website. The content of the notices and certifications has not changed; just the expiration dates, extending to August 31, 2021. Nevertheless, make sure you start using these new forms immediately. New DOL Office: The U.S. Department of …

Lessons Learned on Being Human Again Have you read the novel, “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter”?  Neither have I. My daughter, cleaning out her room before heading back to college, left a copy of it on the hallway table.  The title caught my attention and I began to consider what the storyline might be. …

A War is Coming! A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about Amazon, Berkshire and JP Morgan announcing their new venture into the health insurance space.  My first question in the blog was, “Has major healthcare disruption just been launched?”  Based on the news yesterday that Walmart is in talks to buy Humana, the …

If Employees Do Not Believe, Will Your Customers? As the Director of Communications for an industry-leading employee benefits consulting firm, I often find myself wearing many hats during the week.  I like it.  It’s what keeps me excited about my career.   We recently had a meeting with a health sector service provider as a …