COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in many aspects of our professional lives, but Affordability safe harbors for Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) might not be the first to enter our minds.

Healthcare costs have increased faster than inflation almost every year for at least the last 30 years. Switching carriers, raising out-of-pocket costs, and asking employees to pay more out of their paychecks should be your last resort.

After Colorado’s Legislature returned in late May to one of the most unusual legislative sessions in recent history, a flurry of bills was introduced and passed in an abrupt end to the legislative cycle. Among the approved pieces of legislation was SB-205 or “Healthy Families and Workplaces Act” requiring new paid sick leave rules for Colorado employers. 

In mid-April, CO SHRM and the Denver Regional Council of Governments conducted a survey about how employers are handling returning to the workplace and teleworking after COVID. The survey was completed by over 350 human resource professionals from across the state of Colorado. 

The IRS recently announced the changes to the cost sharing and contribution limits for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in 2021. Also in this article, we’ve included some of the most common questions that group insurance brokers like us receive on HSAs. 

At Fall River we understand that during the past few months, everyone has been focused on the Coronavirus. As employers start to come up for air and tally up the financial hits from the pandemic, it’s more crucial than ever to find ways to save money and still be able to offer a competitive benefits package to employees. When was the last time you measured your benefits package against other employers?

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has created various financial constraints on Americans. From job losses and furloughs to the need for continued healthcare coverage and tax savings, our communities are feeling the pain. To provide some economic relief, the IRS and Department of Labor (DOL) recently released more guidance on changes to Section 125 Plans and COBRA provisions. 

To help ease some of the financial stress many Americans are facing due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act, or the CARES Act in late March. The CARES Act was responsible for a number of programs including the stimulus checks that were distributed in April, but it also provides additional financial relief by deferring Federal student loan payments with 0% interest until September 30, 2020.

Life has become more challenging for most of us as we sift through the various demands COVID-19 has added to our work and personal lives. The financial concerns of individuals and companies is just one area of added stress we’re facing. Since March 4, 2020, there have been four COVID-19 relief acts put in place, with possibly more to come. 

Telemedicine has been a solution for employers and employees seeking more convenient round-the-clock care for years. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began and traditional in-person doctor’s offices have closed or moved to restricted visits, telehealth is no longer a novel benefit, but a vital part of any benefits package.