Benefits professionals know that mental health was already a growing focus for benefit plans even before the pandemic, and now it will continue to be of heightened importance for years to come. That’s why this Employee Benefits Day, the Foundation is focusing […]
Health care benefits remain a critical part of the relationship between employers and workers, especially during these times of rapid change and uncertainty. In addition to serving as an important financial safety net, these benefits act as a recruitment and retention tool. […]
Here we go again: yet another new relief bill sends employers heads spinning. On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was signed into law. Among the many changes, ARPA extends the timeframe for employers to receive tax […]
The pandemic has brought new workforce situations requiring new solutions to the forefront of our daily lives. Innovative and proactive employee benefits can answer some of these current challenges. We’re all familiar with “core” benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, paid time […]
If you’re a regular Talking Benefits listener, you know we’ve frequently covered the topic of mental well-being. This is because of the significant impact this issue has throughout our country and, in turn, throughout our workplaces and employee benefit plans. Mental health […]
Vaccines can provide important protection for your most vulnerable plan members, but should they be part of your benefits plan? And how can you offset the cost? Anar Dossa, Director of Pharmacy Services with Pacific Blue Cross, presented on this topic at […]
I’ve heard the phrase, “you are what you eat” many times and sorry, body, but some days you are dark chocolate, an apple, and my toddler’s rejected mac and cheese! It wasn’t until I tuned into a recent Foundation webcast, Helping Employees […]
Isolation and loneliness. Fear that you or a loved one will be infected with a deadly virus. Anxiety about finances. Stress over child care and school arrangements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most people in the United States have experienced at least one—if […]
As I’m writing this, a dear friend is reflecting on the ten-year anniversary of her brother’s suicide. I know she struggles with the helpless feeling of, “Was there something I could have done?” It was with great interest that I watched the […]
As they consider how to retransition back to an in-office environment, employers want to keep COVID-19 out of the workplace. In part one of our series on this subject, we discussed the issue of employers mandating the coronavirus vaccine or encouraging vaccination. […]