News & Events

Benefits & Me Newsletter November 2025 | VA Benefits Team

Insurance Costs Expected to Rise A new report from Mercer, a consulting firm specializing in human resources and financial services, predicts that health insurance costs will increase by an average of 6.5% in 2026. This is the most significant jump in 15 years. While health care spending has drastically increased over the last few years, … Continued

The Power of Gratitude: A Guide to Well-Being | Virginia Benefits Group

The phrase “attitude of gratitude” is more than a simple rhyme—it’s a powerful reminder to intentionally practice thankfulness in our daily lives. Consistently acknowledging what we appreciate not only enhances our own mental and physical health but also positively affects those around us. What Is Gratitude? Gratitude means being thankful and ready to show appreciation … Continued

New Federal Guidance Expands Access to Fertility Benefits | VA Employee Benefits Advisors

Federal regulators—specifically, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury—issued joint guidance on October 16, 2025, making it significantly easier for employers to offer fertility benefits outside of their traditional group health plans. This action was driven by an Executive Order focused on protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF) access and reducing the … Continued

Compliance Risks in Open Enrollment: 5 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | VA Benefits Agency

Open enrollment is a hectic and critical period for employers that often brings a risk of compliance errors. These mistakes can confuse employees and cause missed benefits, while also exposing employers to legal risks. This article highlights five common compliance pitfalls to avoid during open enrollment: Ineffective Communication of Benefit Changes – Benefit offerings often change … Continued

The Rising Cost of Prescription Drugs: Smart Ways to Save | Virginia Benefits Consultants

No doubt about it, prescriptions are expensive. While this may not be a big worry when you’re young and healthy, the costs can add up quickly if you’re diagnosed with a chronic condition or need an expensive drug.  Whether you take medications regularly or for an occasional illness, it pays to know how to save … Continued

Breaking Barriers: Increasing Employee Utilization of Mental Health Benefits | VA Employee Benefits Advisors

Over the past several years, mental health in the United States has steadily declined. Growing concerns about this issue have increased the pressure on employers to provide stronger mental health benefits. Although many organizations have expanded their mental health offerings, utilization among employees remains low. When these resources go unused, employees who could benefit miss … Continued

Empowering the Next Generation: Making Benefits “Easy” for Young Employees | VA Benefits Consultants

Health Insurance today is significantly more complex for young workers than it was just a decade ago.  This complexity is driven in large part by healthcare costs that have outpaced inflation, pushing premiums, copays, and other out-of-pocket expenses to comprise substantial portions of their budgets.  For many younger employees, navigating this landscape is confusing – … Continued

Benefits Buzz October 2025 | VA Employee Benefits Group

Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before Oct. 15, 2025 Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable. Plan sponsors must provide the … Continued

What Brokers Should Be Doing Now to Get Clients ACA-Ready | Virginia Employee Benefits Agents

How to position yourself as a trusted ACA compliance advisor For brokers and benefits advisors, Q4 planning doesn’t start in October. It starts now. September marks a critical moment in the annual ACA compliance cycle, when employers begin thinking about year-end strategies, benefits renewals, and how to avoid last-minute reporting panic. That makes now the perfect … Continued

Benefits 101: A Guide to PPO Plans | Virginia Benefits Advisors

When navigating the world of health insurance, you will likely encounter the term PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). A PPO plan – whether medical or dental – is about balancing the cost and convenience of care.  With a PPO plan, you get the flexibility to see a wide range of doctors. You’ll save money by staying … Continued