Dog-friendly Workplace | Virginia Benefit Advisors

Question: We are considering becoming a dog-friendly office. Are there drawbacks we should consider when allowing employees to bring their dogs in to work? What are the best practices we should follow? Answer: There are many legal and other issues to consider before implementing a dog-friendly office. For instance, employers in the food processing or … Continued

Senate Releases Health Care Proposal | Virginia Benefit Advisors

This morning, Senate Republicans released their proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Called the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA), the Senate proposal adopts H.R. 1628, the bill narrowly passed last month by the House of Representatives, but replaces all the text. The Senate proposal was released without going through … Continued

AHCA and the Preexisting Conditions Debate—What Employers Can Do During Uncertainty | Virginia Benefit Advisors

Preexisting conditions. While it’s no doubt this term has been a hot topic in recent months—and notably misconstrued—one thing has not changed; insurers cannot deny coverage to anyone with a preexisting condition.  Now that House Resolution 1628 has moved to the Senate floor, what can employers and individuals alike expect? If passed by the Senate … Continued

Keeping Your Summer Events Sunny | Virginia Benefit Advisors

With the official start of summer just around the corner, many companies are planning company picnics, barbecues, and outings to celebrate the season. The good news is that these events are a great opportunity to thank employees for hard work and to encourage them to mingle outside of the normal work setting. The less fun … Continued

Health Plan PCORI Fees Are Due July 31 | Virginia Benefit Advisors

Do you offer coverage to your employees through a self-insured group health plan? Do you sponsor a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)? If so, do you know whether your plan or HRA is subject to the annual Patient-Centered Research Outcomes Institute (PCORI) fee? This article answers frequently-asked questions about the PCORI fee, which plans are affected, … Continued

Ask the Experts: Requiring Cybersecurity Training | Virginia Benefit Advisors

Question: We are a small company—40 employees. Are there policies we should have in place for cybersecurity? Can we make employee training on cybersecurity mandatory? Answer: Companies of all sizes are smart to be concerned about cybersecurity, especially in light of the recent WannaCry ransomware attack. There are steps you can take to reduce the risks … Continued