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From Planning to Post-Game: Your Complete Open Enrollment Checklist
Plan and Prepare Early (8–12 Weeks Before) Use the Right Tools: Implement a 24/7 benefits portal so employees can review options at their convenience. Learn from the Past: Analyze last year’s questions, pain points, and participation trends. Build Clear Resources: Create a concise, easy-to-navigate benefits guide with side-by-side plan comparisons. Develop Education Materials: Prepare FAQs, … Continued
How Employers Can Avoid Common HSA Mistakes | VA Employee Benefits Advisors
High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) remain a cornerstone of modern benefits strategy. When executed correctly, they offer a powerful “triple tax advantage” for employees and lower premiums for employers. However, the federal rules governing these accounts are strict. As we move into the 2026 plan year—and navigate new permanent … Continued
Fertility Benefits: A Growing Investment in Employee Well-Being and Retention | Virginia Employee Benefits Agents
Work and family are two of the most important parts of an employee’s life. But starting or growing a family doesn’t always happen easily. According to the World Health Organization, about one in six people experience fertility challenges, making the path to parenthood stressful, complex and often expensive. Not surprisingly, these challenges can spill over … Continued
The Health Insurance Translator: Making Sense of Your Coverage | Virginia Benefits Team
Navigating the healthcare system can often feel like trying to read a map in a language you don’t speak. Between the “alphabet soup” of acronyms—HMO, PPO, HSA—and the shifting rules of 2026 coverage, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even step foot in a doctor’s office. However, health insurance literacy isn’t just about understanding … Continued
Benefits Buzz: CMS Excludes HRAs and Health FSAs from Medicare Part D Notices | Virginia Employee Benefits Agents
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a final rule that exempts account-based plans, such as health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and health flexible spending accounts (FSAs), from Medicare Part D disclosure requirements. The change applies to coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2027. As background, employers with group health plans that provide prescription drug … Continued
When the Calendar Shifts: Preparing for an Extra Payroll Cycle in 2026 | Virginia Benefits Consultants
Most employers follow standard payroll schedules—monthly, weekly, semi-monthly, or biweekly—with biweekly cycles being the most common. Nearly half of organizations pay employees every other week. In 2026, however, employers using a biweekly schedule may encounter an unusual twist. Because New Year’s Day in 2027 falls on a federal holiday, companies that typically issue Friday paychecks … Continued
From Reactive to Proactive: Empowering Employees Through Preventive Care | VA Benefits Agency
In the world of employee benefits, we often spend our time talking about what happens when things go wrong—surgeries, emergency room visits, and specialist consultations. Today, the most successful organizations are shifting the conversation toward what happens when things go right. Teaching your employees about preventive care is more than just a wellness initiative; … Continued
The Power of Health Literacy: How Smarter Choices Can Lead to Bigger Savings | VA Employee Benefits Advisors
Navigating the healthcare system is rarely a straight line. Between deciphering insurance jargon and choosing the right doctor, the decisions you make have a direct impact on your physical health and your bank account. As healthcare costs continue to rise—ranking as a top economic concern for two-thirds of Americans—personal health literacy has become an essential … Continued
Midyear Compliance: Key Disclosure Deadlines for Group Health Plans | Virginia Employee Benefits Agents
As the calendar year progresses, employers that sponsor group health plans should take steps to stay ahead of key midyear compliance obligations. Federal reporting and disclosure requirements under laws such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the No Surprises Act must be addressed during the … Continued
Wellness Works: Spring 2026 | Virginia Benefits Consultants
Spring into Motion: Strengthening Your Heart A new study published in BMJ Heart, a leading journal for cardiovascular advances, has found a powerful connection between your walking speed and your heart rhythm. According to the research, people who maintain an average or brisk walking pace have a 35% to 43% lower risk of developing heart … Continued