BenefitsTV the Podcast

In this episode of Benefits TV, Andrew and Rosario discuss strategies for employers and employees to deal with increasing health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs. They talk about plan design changes like HRAs and HSAs, using telehealth, shopping for medications, and taking advantage of standalone providers.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
0:44 - Increasing premiums and plan changes
3:04 - Communicating changes to employees
4:28 - HRAs vs. HSAs
6:47 - Bronze plans with HRA funding
10:00 - First year utilization with HRA plans
13:35 - ICRAs for out-of-state employees
15:59 - Saving money with standalone providers
19:10 - Using urgent care over ER
21:40 - Telehealth pros and cons
25:00 - Provider navigation services
26:58 - Wrap up

Show Notes:
- Average premium increases Andrew & Rosario are seeing: 10-15%
- Importance of communicating full cost of benefits to employees
- HRA plans can provide immediate funding vs HSAs that are funded over time
- First year of HRA plans often have low utilization as employees learn about new benefit
- ICRAs allow employers to reimburse out-of-state employees for individual plans
- Employees should shop pharmacies for best generic drug prices and pay cash if lower than copay
- Visiting standalone labs/clinics is usually cheaper than hospitals
- Urgent care is significantly cheaper than ER for non-emergencies
- Telehealth is convenient but some providers are mandating it, frustrating patients
- Provider navigation services can help negotiate medical bills and find cost-effective care


Contact us:
Andrew McNeil - [email protected]
Rosario Avila - [email protected]

In this episode of the Benefits TV - THE Podcast, hosts Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avila discuss the most popular employee benefits that different generations sign up for. They also talk about the importance of consistent benefits communication and education throughout the year, not just at renewal time. Tune in to hear which benefits appeal most to Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.

In this episode, Andrew and Rosario cover:

• Why term life insurance is an important benefit [00:07:00]
• The critical value of disability insurance [00:10:30]
• Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans [00:14:00]
• Benefits that appeal to Millennials and Gen Z [00:15:00]
• Tailoring benefits to different employee demographics [00:18:00]
• Effective year-round benefits communication tactics [00:20:00]
• Driving benefit appreciation and utilization through ongoing education [00:26:30]

Contact us -

Andrew McNeil
[email protected]

Rosario Avila
[email protected]

In this episode, Andrew and Rosario discuss the importance of developing employees early on and embracing flexibility through workcations. They talk about onboarding vs. everboarding, cross-generational training, being present while on vacation, and more.

Show Notes:

• Why developing employees early leads to small business success (00:45)
• The difference between onboarding and everboarding (02:30)
• Cross-generational training - learning from experienced employees while bringing new ideas (06:00)
• The importance of healthy dialog when questioning processes (08:30)
• Tips for effective communication in a remote environment (07:30)
• Balancing being present while on vacation but staying connected (11:00)
• Setting communication expectations before unplugging (13:00)
• The pros and cons of workcations (17:00)
• Managing expectations as an employee or employer (18:30)

Contact us:

Andrew McNeil
[email protected]

Rosario Avila
[email protected]

Instagram: @BenefitsTV

In this episode of Benefits TV, join hosts Andrew and Rosario as they discuss toxic work cultures - why they happen, their impacts, and how to fix them. They also debate whether mandating employees to return to the office will actually improve productivity in the post-pandemic landscape. Get insights on building positive company culture, the pros and cons of remote work, and more.

Key Points Discussed:

• 60% of employees report being in a toxic work environment and looking for new jobs - what contributes to negativity and how leaders can turn culture around.
• With more positions able to work remotely now, forcing employees back to the office full-time may hurt rather than help productivity and culture.
• Tips for improving company culture: anonymous surveys, transparency with employees, bringing in third-party perspective.
• The importance of cross-training and information sharing between teams/departments.
• Productivity benefits of working from home for many employees - lack of commute, fewer distractions, ability to focus.
• The positives of some in-office time - collaboration, training new staff, relationship building.
• There is no one-size-fits-all policy - leaders should consider hybrid remote/in-office options.

Contact:

Andrew McNeil
[email protected]
707-992-3789

Rosario Avila
[email protected]
707-799-9274

Andrew McNeil
[email protected]

Rosario Avila
[email protected]

In this episode, Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avala discuss the importance of creative benefits strategies in attracting and retaining employees in the current job market. They cover topics such as flexible work schedules, overlooked benefits, and the benefits of being an out-of-the-box thinker. They also share tips on how to communicate benefits effectively to employees.

• Introduction
• The Benefits of Being an Out-of-the-Box Thinker
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Overlooked Benefits
• Communicating Benefits Effectively
• Conclusion

Show Notes

• TaskRabbit - https://www.taskrabbit.com/
• Glassdoor - https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm

Contact us:

Andrew McNeil - [email protected]
Rosario Avila - [email protected]

Keywords Benefits, Creative Strategies, Job Market, Retaining Employees, Flexible Work Schedules, Overlooked Benefits, Communicating Benefits, TaskRabbit, Glassdoor, Out-of-the-Box Thinker, Open Enrollment, Communication Strategies.

In this episode of Benefits TV - The Podcast, Senior Benefits Advisor Mick Van Staveren of Arrow Benefits Group discusses the importance of benefits in the restaurant industry. He shares his experience in working with restaurant owners and general managers to provide the best benefits possible for their employees. Mick also talks about the challenges of the industry, including compliance, and how he and his team work to ensure that their clients are fully supported. Listen in to learn more about the unique needs of the restaurant industry and how benefits can help retain employees.

Chapters

• Introduction
• Mick's background and experience in the restaurant industry
• The importance of benefits in the restaurant industry
• Providing support for employees and clients
• Trends and innovation in the benefit space
• Assessing the culture of a business
• Differentiating from chain restaurants
• The importance of passion
• Conclusion

Show Notes

• Arrow Benefits Group: https://www.arrowbenefitsgroup.com
• Kaiser Permanente: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/
• Blue Shield of California: https://www.blueshieldca.com/bsca/bsc/public/member/mp/home
• EASE: https://www.ease.com/
• Employee Navigator: https://www.employeenavigator.com/
• Compliance: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/compliance
• Hispanic population: https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html
• EAP: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/worklife/employee-assistance-programs/
• Voluntary benefits: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/voluntary-benefits.asp
• Disability benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/
• Accident insurance:

In this episode, Andrew and Rosario discuss the benefits of offering voluntary benefits to employees, the importance of consistent HSA education, and the evolution of HSA plans over the years. They also touch on the topic of employee training and the impact it has on employee loyalty.

Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00)
2. Voluntary Benefits (01:10)
3. HSA Plans (08:08)
4. Impact of Employee Training (15:30)
5. Conclusion (21:12)

Show Notes

• Starbucks: https://www.starbucks.com/careers/college-plan
• McDonald's: https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/careers/training-and-education.html
• Unum: https://www.unum.com/
• Contact Information

Keywords voluntary benefits, HSA, education, employee training, loyalty, health savings accounts, insurance, critical illness, cancer policy, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, short-term disability, life insurance, long-term care, Affordable Care Act, PPO, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, employer-paid policy, lump sum, out-of-pocket, family plan, sticker shock, lab, preventative care

Join the BenefitsTV The Podcast crew (Andrew and Rosario) as they discuss the confusion and lack of preparedness experienced by employees regarding benefits programs. Andrew and Rosario cover how employers can proactively communicate about benefits, understand their employees' needs, and remain flexible in their programs. They also touch on the importance of company culture and listening to employee feedback. Chapters

1. Introduction
2. Confusion and Preparedness in Benefits Programs
3. Proactive Communication and Employee Needs
4. The Importance of Company Culture
5. Feedback and Remaining Flexible
6. Conclusion and Call to Action

Show Notes

• Aero Benefits: https://www.arrowbenefitsgroup.com/
• LinkedIn:
  • Andrew McNeil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-d-mcneil-054a2616/
  • Rosario Avila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosarioavila/
• Contact Information:
  • Andrew McNeil: Phone: [PHONE NUMBER], Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
  • Rosario Avila: Phone: [PHONE NUMBER], Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]

Benefits TV - Episode 1 In this episode of Benefits TV, Andrew and Rosario discuss various topics related to the future of employer sponsered employee benefits, including the importance of communication and transparency in benefit plans, different learning styles among employees, and the value of employee ideas.

Chapters:

• Introduction
• The importance of communication and transparency
• Different learning styles of employees
• The value of employee ideas
• Closing remarks

Show notes:

• Zappos: https://www.zappos.com/
• Whole Foods: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Tune in to hear more about these topics and how they can impact your company's benefit plan.

**opinions expressed within the content are solely the speaker's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the any other entity.