Tag Archives: employee benefits

Welcome Melissa Zornes to OneGroup! She has joined our team as Senior Vice President and Employee Benefits Practice Leader.

Most brokers earn commission from insurance carriers. Others charge fees for services provided. Greater transparency in these payment methods can help you control rising health care costs. But, more importantly, a clear picture of how your broker is paid can lead to a long-term, strategic relationship that benefits you and your employees. Working with a broker is often the first step in creating a comprehensive employee benefits plan.

Open enrollment can be overwhelming. Employees are expected to learn about new benefit options, budget for the cost of coverage, and make the best decision for themselves and their families in a relatively short period of time.

More than 50 million Americans are dealing with a mental illness, according to the nonprofit Mental Health America. And 34% of employees report declining mental health, notes the human resources association SHRM. 

Group health insurance plans are generally subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ERISA), which mandates the temporary continuation of health care coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

Approximately 44% of adults ages 19 to 30 and 28% of adults ages 35 to 50 reported using marijuana in any form.

The Final Rule amending the HIPAA Privacy Rule to protect the ability of individuals to receive reproductive health care when the care is provided lawfully under the circumstances without risk of an individual’s identity or health information being disclosed for purposes of state criminal, civil or administrative investigations (or for imposing liability related to lawfully providing or obtaining reproductive healthcare).

Mental illnesses can affect anyone, regardless of gender, culture, race, religion or socioeconomic status. A study in BMC Psychiatry estimates that 309 million people, or 4.4% of the world’s population, suffer from major depressive disorders.

Employees enjoy physical and mental health improvements through preventive care and consistent, coordinated health management. Your organization benefits from a culture of wellness, better employee health and productivity, and reduced medical costs.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance has never been more important. The IRS continues to hone its compliance practices, with targeted efforts increasingly replacing random audits.