While the Great Recession seems like a thing of the past, small business owners are still recovering. And while optimism is growing, owners say top small business challenges for 2015 are financial security, recruiting quality employees, offering the benefits employees want, and creating a competitive edge. Continue reading
The DOL Audit can be completely random. Many employers are out of compliance with ERISA and don’t even know it. The DOL has substantially increased its auditing efforts. In fact, the DOL announced last year that their goal is to audit all businesses in the U.S. within the next 3-4 years. Continue reading
Small business owners are constantly analyzing and evaluating their budgets and bottom lines. Sometimes you have to cut back on certain things here and there. Other times, you add something to the budget in an attempt at a long term return. It may be tempting to opt out of providing health benefits, but there’s long term value in offering them. This article outlines the ways adding health benefits can actually create more value to your small business. Continue reading
Affording employee health benefits is a common human resources challenge for small and growing businesses. On one hand, we value the role health benefits play in compensation, recruiting, and retention. On the other hand, the cost is prohibitive even for the most profitable businesses. Continue reading
The Obama administration on Monday put health insurance companies on notice that they must cover all forms of female contraception, including the patch and intrauterine devices, without imposing co-payments or other charges. Continue reading
The Affordable Care Act (ACA). Many small business owners have been asking the same question since the Law’s introduction. “How does the ACA benefit my small business? Continue reading
Emergency room visits have increased under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act despite the law’s promises and efforts to curb them, ER room doctors say.
Three-quarters of emergency physicians say that emergency visits are going up, according to a new poll by The American College of Emergency Physicians. It’s a significant jump from just one year ago when less than half reported increases. Continue reading
Benefits exist because they appeal to employees in a different way than do hard dollars. But how rich should a benefits menu be at a company that’s determined to hang on to top performers and build a team by making great hires? And are the companies that offer solid plans communicating the value properly? Continue reading
