Gag Clause Attestation Deadline | Benefits Collaborative

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 … Continued

Navigating Employee Benefits: A Glossary | Benefits Collaborative

Employee benefits can be a complex landscape, filled with acronyms and unfamiliar terms. In fact, more than 50% of American adults report that they don’t have a clear understanding of their health insurance.  Many people are confused because they reach adulthood without ever learning the basics of health insurance terminology.  Illiteracy about health insurance is … Continued

Understand Your Spending Power: What You Can Buy with Your FSA, HSA, or HRA | Benefits Collaborative

Medical expense accounts can help you save on all kinds of healthcare costs. Here are some you may not know about yet. HSA, FSA, and HRA can typically be used for: Medical expenses: Doctor visits, surgeries, prescriptions, dental and vision care, and mental health services. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Many OTC medications, including pain relievers, allergy … Continued

Benefits 101: What Is an HDHP? | Benefits Collaborative

In today’s world of complex health insurance options, High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have become increasingly popular. But with a name like “high deductible,” it’s natural to have questions. Let’s break down the basics of HDHPs: What is an HDHP? An HDHP is a health insurance plan with a higher deductible than traditional plans. This … Continued

Health Insurance Basics: Part 3 | Benefits Collaborative

Insurance Costs Consumers typically pay the following types of costs when they have insurance. Premium: The premium is an amount of money a consumer pays for a health insurance plan. The consumer and/or their employer usually make this payment bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. The premium must be paid regardless of how many services, if … Continued

Health Insurance Basics: Part 2 | Benefits Collaborative

Does a Health Plan Typically Pay for Services from Any Doctor? Not always. Some types of plans encourage or require consumers to get care from a specific set of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical service providers who have entered into contracts with the plan to provide items and services at a negotiated rate. The … Continued

Health Insurance Basics: Part 1 | Benefits Collaborative

What is Health Insurance and Why is it Important? Health insurance is a legal entitlement to payment or reimbursement for your health care costs, generally under a contract with a health insurance company. Health insurance provides important financial protection in case you have an accident or sickness. For example, health insurance may help to pay … Continued

Why Health Insurance is Important | Benefits Collaborative

Protection from high medical costs Health insurance provides important financial protection in case you have a serious accident or sickness.  People without health coverage are exposed to these costs. This can sometimes lead people without coverage into deep debt or even into bankruptcy. It’s easy to underestimate how much medical care can cost: Fixing a … Continued

Benefits 101: Premiums, Deductibles, Copays, and Out-of-Pocket Maximums | Benefits Collaborative

Not understanding benefits terminology is near the top of the list of ways that open enrollment and benefits selection can stress you out.  Open enrollment is coming quickly and soon you will be talking about benefit options. The world of benefits and insurance can be confusing. In-network, out-of-network, deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance? What? Let us … Continued

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