Mental health isn’t just the absence of illness. It’s a continuum ranging from severe symptoms such as panic attacks and major depression to excellent mental strength and well-being. Sometimes you’re not ill, but you aren’t well either – and you need help. If you’re feeling down about work or a problem in your life and…
Free and low-cost employee benefits are perks that don’t cost you much financially. These perks are often simple to provide and help enhance an existing employee benefits package. Including non-traditional benefits in a job offer shows employees your values; they’re a promise to both current and potential employees that you’ll support them and treat them…
In our journey through the evolving landscape of the skills-first economy, we have uncovered the pivotal role of skills in shaping the future of work. Our initial article, “Adapting to the Skills-First Economy: An Introduction,” laid the groundwork by emphasizing the significance of a skills-based organization (SBO) and the transformative power of skills taxonomies. We…
Insurance Costs Consumers typically pay the following types of costs when they have insurance. See Appendix A for examples of how cost sharing works. Tips to Know: Appendix A Examples of Health Insurance Cost Sharing This appendix provides some examples of how health insurance cost sharing works for consumers. These examples show different outcomes depending…
No matter whether it is anticipated or unexpected, a hospital stay is expensive. According to HealthCare.gov, the average 3-day hospital stay in the United States costs around $30,000. Health insurance will cover some of the costs if you are admitted to the hospital, but you may have other out-of-pocket costs. Hospital Indemnity Insurance can help…
A better work/life balance is at the top of the list for many employees. However, with the absence of nationwide paid leave regulations for American workers, employers typically determine the extent of paid time off for their employees. In an increased effort to remain competitive and improve employee attraction and retention, a new survey found…
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…
Critical illness insurance is known by many names: heart attack insurance, catastrophic illness insurance and sick insurance are just a few. No matter what it’s called, it’s designed to guard against the financial costs of a serious disease or condition. As the average life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, insurance brokers are…
The challenges that influenced the benefits landscape in 2023 persist—perhaps even more so. Rising costs, due to inflation and increasing health care prices, will continue to present challenges this new year. But employers who understand the benefits landscape for 2024 can mold their approach for the upcoming year. A new year means revisiting your existing…
