News & Events

Benefits 101: What Is an HSA? | Virginia Employee Benefits Agency

Are you the type of person who loves to save money?  You’ll be happy to know that there’s a way to do so with your health care costs.  It starts with medical expense accounts which let you set aside money to pay for certain health products and services.  One type of medical expense account is … Continued

What Is a Total Rewards Package? | Virginia Employee Benefits Partners

Total rewards packages refer to the compensation and benefits plans that companies offer. This phrase, however, extends beyond mere salary or wages and traditional benefits, like health insurance, to provide both recruits and employees with a rundown of what makes the employer special. Some in Human Resources might regard the total rewards package as the … Continued

Up and Away – Healthcare Costs Are Taking Off | VA Employee Benefits Advisors

Healthcare costs, and consequently employee health benefit costs, have been growing at an alarming rate in recent years. The U.S. as a nation spends more on health care than any other developed country but has worse health outcomes.  How is this possible? Four Key Factors Driving U.S. Healthcare Costs: Aging Population Healthcare gets more expensive … Continued

Benefits and Me May 2023 | VA Employee Benefits Group

Understanding Lifestyle Spending Accounts Chances are you’re paying more attention to your benefits and wondering how to get the best bang for your buck. You’re likely familiar with health savings and flexible spending accounts, but have you heard of lifestyle spending accounts (LSAs)? An LSA is an employer-funded account that can cover some health- and … Continued

Employee Engagement: 8 Ways to Reward a Job Well Done | Virginia Benefits Group

At a time when many companies are trying to “do more with less,” employees are feeling overworked and underappreciated. To remedy this problem, Human Resources can help organizations foster robust rewards programs. When budgets are tight, bonuses might not be possible. Recently, however, HR Exchange Network asked users of Terkel.io to share their suggestions for rewards, and they offered … Continued

Volunteering and It’s Surprising Mental Health Benefits | VA Employee Benefits Partners

Volunteers make an immeasurable difference in people’s lives and often serve with the intention of helping others. But, did you know that volunteering can benefit your mental health as well? While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge … Continued

Employee Benefit Trends: What is a Lifestyle Spending Account? | Virginia Benefits Team

A Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) offers employers an opportunity to help fund health and wellness costs that a traditional group health plan won’t cover. LSAs are often used as perks to attract and retain quality employees and could be a desirable piece of the employee benefits puzzle. What Is a Lifestyle Spending Account? A Lifestyle … Continued

Benefits Buzz: April 2023 | Virginia Employee Benefits Partners

Gag Clause Attestations Are Due by Dec. 31, 2023 On Feb. 23, 2023, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQs on the prohibition of gag clauses under the transparency provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). These FAQs require health plans and health insurance issuers to submit … Continued

Two Areas Impacting Benefits When the COVID-19 Emergencies End | Virginia Benefits Consultants

When the COVID-19 public health emergency and national emergency were declared in 2020, no one anticipated they would still be in place in 2023. On January 30, 2023, the President announced the intent to end the emergencies on May 11, 2023. The impact of the emergencies on employer-sponsored benefits affected certain coverages, reimbursements, and timelines. … Continued

Fact Sheet for Consumers About the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency | Virginia Employee Benefits Agency

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a consumer-facing fact sheet to help people know what to expect at the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The Department of Health and Human Services is planning for the federal PHE and the COVID-19 national emergency to expire at the end of the day … Continued