Category: Employee Benefits
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Breaking Down Your Benefits: Understanding Key Terms | Pennsylvania Benefits Group
Selecting the right health insurance plans for your family is a critical process that requires careful attention from start to finish. Navigating health insurance becomes much simpler when you understand its terminology. Making sense of these terms empowers you to better understand your costs, benefits, and even estimate the price of a doctor’s visit. Premium:…
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Benefits 101: What Is Cancer Insurance? | PA Employee Benefits Team
The word “cancer” carries a weight that extends far beyond its medical implications. Beyond the physical and emotional toll, a cancer diagnosis can bring significant financial strain. While your primary health insurance will cover many treatment costs, there are often substantial out-of-pocket expenses that can quickly add up. This is where cancer insurance comes in.…
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Benefits Buzz Newsletter May 2025 | PA Employee Benefits Team
DOL Updates Model Employer CHIP Notice The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released a new model Employer Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Notice with information current as of March 17, 2025. As a reminder, the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) imposes an annual notice requirement on employers that maintain group…
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Voluntary Benefits: The Missing Piece of Your Compensation Puzzle | Pennsylvania Benefits Group
The Rise of Voluntary Benefits As healthcare costs increase, so does the demand for voluntary benefits. These optional benefits allow employees to select and pay for additional perks to meet their individual needs, especially in today’s diverse workforce. They’re also a valuable supplement to health insurance, particularly as healthcare expenses rise and affordability becomes a…
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Disability Insurance Explained: Short-Term Disability | PA Employee Team
Life sometimes throws you a curveball. You might sprain an ankle playing soccer, need surgery, or experience a difficult pregnancy. These situations can temporarily prevent you from working and earning an income. That’s where short-term disability insurance comes in. It acts as a financial safety net, providing income replacement while you recover and get back…
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Beyond Open Enrollment: Engaging Employees with Benefits | PA Employee Benefits Team
Most organizations treat employee benefits like a seasonal event. Open enrollment brings a flurry of activity – emails, seminars, and even benefits fairs. However, communication often dwindles after this initial push, leaving employees confused and underutilizing their valuable benefits. This is a missed opportunity. Research shows that employees crave more benefits education, spending hours researching…
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Your HSA: A Guide for Beginners | Pennsylvania Benefits Group
New to a Health Savings Account (HSA)? Here’s What You Need to Know As the name suggests, a Health Savings Account(HSA) is a special savings account used to pay for healthcare-related expenses. An HSA has potential financial benefits for now and later. Not only can you save pre-tax dollars in this account to pay for qualified…
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Benefits Breakdown January 2025 | Pennsylvania Benefits Agency
PCORI Fee Amount Adjusted for 2025 The IRS increased the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee amount for plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2024, and before Oct. 1, 2025. The updated PCORI fee amount is $3.47 multiplied by the average number of lives covered under the plan. For plan years that ended…
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Top Employee Benefit Trends for 2025 | PA Employee Benefits Consultants
Employee benefits are the indirect and non-cash compensation paid to an employee. These benefits are given to employees over their salaries and wages. As we look ahead to 2025, companies are increasingly exploring innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of their workforce. Driven by shifts in work environments, economic challenges, and technological progress, the…
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Gag Clause Attestation Deadline | PA Benefits Group
As the year comes to an end, a crucial compliance deadline looms for employers with health plans. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), health plans and insurance issuers must submit a Gag Clause Compliance Attestation by December 31, 2024. Since its enactment in 2020, this regulation prohibits health plans from including gag clauses—provisions that limit…
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