small businesses

Posted November 19th, 2019 in Employers, Producers

As work and life continue to blend and unemployment remains low, the competition for employee talent is intense. Small businesses are seeking solutions to help their companies stand out as they tackle the challenge of attracting, engaging, and retaining employees.

Strategic benefits can play a pivotal role.

Posted September 6th, 2018 in Employers, Producers

For small businesses, a great dental insurance plan makes your business more appealing to new hires — and keeps your employees smiling. In fact, 86% of small business employees say dental benefits are a must-have1.

But not all dental plans are created equal. You want a plan that provides your employees with high-quality, cost-effective coverage, easy access to updated treatments, reliable expertise and more.

Posted January 18th, 2018 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
Originally posted on October 13, 2017
 
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 12th instructing the Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Treasury (DOT), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), known as the tri-agencies, to review and potentially revise existing regulatory guidance. This includes:
 
    Posted December 13th, 2016 in Producers, Employers

    Flexible Benefit Service LLC (Flex) is excited to tell you about the 21st Century Cures Act which was signed into law by President Obama on December 13, 2016. While the law primarily focuses on healthcare innovations and enhancing medical research, it also created a new type of Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), referred to as a "Qualified Small Employer HRA."

    Posted April 11th, 2014 in Producers, Employers

    On April 1, 2014, President Obama signed into law the “Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014.” Although much of the law is designed to fix problems with the Medicare program, the law also included a repeal of the deductible limits that apply to small group health plans. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) established deductible limits for health plans offered to small employers (defined as up to 50 employees in most states).

    Posted December 27th, 2013 in Producers, Employers

    The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is a part of the healthcare reform law that is supposed to help small businesses provide affordable health insurance coverage to employees. Last month it was announced that the SHOP Exchange would be delayed until November 2014; however, this statement requires clarification as some of the core features of the SHOP are still available. 

    Posted April 22nd, 2013 in Individuals, Employers

    Like the popular television commercials with children explaining their theories on what’s better (when asked if more is better than less), they want more. The concept is that simple. People, in general, do not want to settle for less.

    Small businesses want more from a program that is named the Small Business Health Options Program or SHOP exchange. The government, however, has stripped away the “options” (at least for a year). If you’re a worker for a small business employer who is offered the SHOP exchange, you really don’t have anything to “shop” around for.

    Posted April 15th, 2013 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

    The Obama administration announced last week that parts of the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) would be delayed until 2015. This announcement has created a lot of confusion in the market.

    The SHOP will be a new health insurance marketplace to provide exchange-based coverage to small businesses with up to 50 employees in most states. The SHOP is still expected to be launched as planned in 2014, but one of its key components will be delayed until 2015.

    Posted March 11th, 2013 in Employers, Producers

    ACA Participation RequirementsThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released final regulations on February 22, 2013 in regards to various health insurance market rules. The new guidance includes information about minimum participation requirements in the small employer marketplace. In most states, small employers are defined as those with 50 or fewer employees.

    Insurance companies today require a minimum percentage of employees to enroll in coverage. This is referred to as the participation requirements and helps insurance companies avoid adverse selection. Minimum participation requirements can be up to 75% today.

    Posted March 5th, 2013 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) posted final regulations about the deductible and out-of-pocket limitations to the Federal Registrar on February 25, 2013. Section 1302(c) of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) specifies that the maximum deductible for a qualified insurance plan cannot exceed $2,000 for single coverage and $4,000 for family coverage.

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