R&R Insurance Blog

More attention is being paid to Presenteeism than ever before. If you were to google Presenteeism, you'll get the long-standing definition: going to work while one is sick.

At R&R, we believe that Presenteeism is much more than that. We include anything that could hinder the employee from performing at their very best or maximum capacity. Of course being ill is top of the list, but here are a multitude of additional things that could cause presenteeism for your employees:

• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Allergies
• Chronic Pain
• Migraines
• Stress
• Caregiver concerns
• Insomnia
• Financial worries
• Pre-occupation with health problems
• Depression

Employers are now understanding that they can have an enormous positive effect for the quality of life of their employees through wellness and health benefits initiatives - which will rebound into more effective and productive employees and ultimately improve the bottom line.

At R&R, we take wellness to a whole new level. Wellness programs will increase the health and longevity of employees and their families –which means that businesses can have a lot control over their health insurance costs and the productivity of their employees – control that they don’t know they have. At R&R Insurance, we call this program WellCompForLife! Join the WellCompForLife discussion on LinkedIn!

For more information about WellCompForLife, about self-funding your health insurance plan, health care reform or basic employee benefits questions, contact knowledgebroker Laura Stehno.

Maurice Evans, Jr., director of HR for Integral Group, LLC had perfect vision when he educated his workforce about the fact that diabetes can complicate vision.

If employees can't see, then they certainly can't see to do their job! Great point! Takeaway - better vision = increased productivity! Evans saw a 30% increase of vision plan participation by his employees with a little bit of education about the correlation and the benefits of good vision. read full article in Employee Benefit News.

An affordable vision plan, as well as many other voluntary benefits, can add some meat to your wellness program, increase the productivity of your employees and keep you on the front edge of competitive offerings as an employer of choice. For more information about ancillary or voluntary benefits for your employees, contact knowledgebroker Riley Enright.

At R&R, we are seeing more and more small businesses in Wisconsin having serious discussions about the link between obesity and workplace productivity. On top of that – when you factor in wellness programs that will increase the health and longevity of employees and their families – small businesses can have a lot control over their health insurance costs and the productivity of their employees – control that they don’t know they have. At R&R Insurance, we call this program WellCompForLife! Join the WellCompForLife discussion on LinkedIn!

A recent survey commissioned by Regus, a provider of flexible workplace options, revealed that stress is on the rise for workers worldwide.

Stress-related conditions account for:

• 75-90% of all doctor visits
• 30-50% of new disability benefit claims

Stunning facts from Regus stress report revealed in this infographic.

With almost half of respondents globally reporting that their stress levels have risen in the past year and the fact that work topped the chart for being the most likely stress trigger, it is evident that measures to re-address the mental well-being of staff needs to be analysed and evaluated as soon as possible.

Access the full report here at http://www.regus.com/stress-report.

At R&R, we are seeing more and more small businesses in Wisconsin having serious discussions about the link between stress, obesity, well-being, workplace injury and it's effect on health care costs. On top of that – when you factor in wellness programs that will increase the health and longevity of employees and their families – small businesses can have a lot control over their health insurance costs and the productivity of their employees – control that they don’t realize they have. At R&R Insurance, we call this program WellCompForLife! Join the WellCompForLife discussion on LinkedIn!

Related Articles:

Preventing Injuries for an Aging Workforce

Obese Workers More Likely to Report Injury

Health-Related Productivity Costs

Employers Growing Role in Chronic Condition Management

What we know for a fact: healthier employees recover more quickly from a work-related injury, and are actually less likely to even be injured. If Healthier Employees = Less Work Comp Injuries and Less Work Comp Claims, then another way of reducing work comp costs is to improve the health of your employees.

How does that culture shift play into the fact that the workforce is aging? How can an employer adjust roles and responsibilities of older workers to continue to make headway on reducing workers compensation costs?

The Aging Workforce Seminar, scheduled for May 23, 2013, held at the MRA Conference Center in Waukesha, WI, will address wellness, workers compensation and the aging workforce. How can employers finesse all three to improve efficiencies and increase profits?

Dr. Andrew Seter with Sensia Wellness will discuss a physician’s perspective on what he looks for in medical evaluations and how he advises employers with return-to-work programs. Proven Cost/Process/Behavior models will be discussed in this two hour seminar.

More seminar details and registration information.

Related Articles:

Preventing Injuries for an Aging Workforce

Obese Workers More Likely to Report Injury

Health-Related Productivity Costs

Employers Growing Role in Chronic Condition Management

Most employers - and you may be one of them - don't completely understand Employee Retirement Income Securtity Act (ERISA), how it impacts business and employees, and the possible risks it presents. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. If you have over 100 enrolled participants in any benefit, have you ever filed a Form 5500 with applicable schedules?
   ERISA imposes an $1100 day penalty for each day this filing is late up to amximum penalty for large employer (over 100) of $30,000 annually.
2. If yes, have you ever completed and distributed a SAR (Summary Annual Report)?
3. Have you ever been subject to a DOL audit?
   Audits can be triggered through a DOL investigation reproted through other agencies (IRS), through review of form 5500 filings and most often through Employee reporting or lawsuits.
4. Do you have other ERISA plans such as a 125 plan with FSAs (flexible spending accounts) or HRAs (helaht reimbursement accounts)?
   Health FSAs and HRAs are also ERISA plans and must meet the same documentation and filing requirements.

Did you answer No to questions 1 or 2? Did you answer yes to questions 3 or 4? If so, you may be in violation of Title I of ERISA that governs health and Welfare Benefit plans.

If you have any questions regarding your ERISA compliance, obligations or anything regarding your health insurance or benefits packages; R&R knowledge broker Jane Shevey can help!

With Obamacare, there are 1,500 pages of regulations being created every week that will forever change the way the individual and small businesses pay for health insurance.

In the largest redistribution-of-wealth scheme this country has ever seen, 'Obamacare' will begin a series of annual assessments and taxes on insurers to the tune of over $14 billion in 2014 and $18 billion in 2018.

Exploring creative strategic alternatives like private insurance exchanges, self-funding and co-employment partnerships are wise considerations. As well, businesses need to make sure that they are receiving more than just health insurance from their broker. Risk management, compliance, health and wellness, communication and education as well as individual insurance options should be on your radar.

Join our group on LinkedIn: Obamacare: Strategies for Business to Survive. We welcome you to join in the conversation with our LinkedIn group dedicated to discussions for business owners on Obamacare: Strategies for Business To Survive. Read articles, download documents, join the conversation, and add your expertise!

Here are 5 easy things to remember to help save yourself some money when it comes to your own health care costs.

1) Compare costs of health care services

• Check with your doctor or health care facility and compare the cost of services before receiving care
• Make sure the charges are covered by your health care plan.
• Employees can use health care transparency tools to help estimate costs.

2) Prescription choices

• Generic prescriptions are a great choice for less cost.
• Utilizing a split-pill or mail order program can also save you a lot of money.

3) Choose In-Network Options

• Choose in-network providers.
• When doctors order routine lab work or when you enter a health care facility for services, always as for an in-network option.

4) Save emergency rooms for emergencies

If you are not experiencing a true emergency, visit your doctor or go to a walk-in clinic.

5) Take care of health conditions before they become costly

• Costs related to chronic conditions can be kept in check when employees learn how to improve their overall health.
• Participation in an annual bio metric screening is a good way to start understanding your own health.

For more information about WellCompForLife, about self-funding your health insurance plan, health care reform or basic employee benefits questions, contact knowledgebroker Riley Enright.

Join our group on LinkedIn: Obamacare: Strategies for Business to Survive. We welcome you to join in the conversation with our LinkedIn group dedicated to discussions for business owners on Obamacare: Strategies for Business To Survive. Read articles, download documents, join the conversation, and add your expertise!

Has your company considered the link between obesity and occupation injury?

Journal of Obesity published a recent study by Ian Janssen, et al., which examines this relationship. A sample of 7,678 adult Canadian workers, were placed into normal weight, overweight, and obese categories based on their BMI body mass index. Findings show obese workers were more likely to report occupational injuries, with a great frequency of strains and sprains, along with falls and overexertion injuries. Interestingly, workers 40+ years, female workers and workers in sedentary occupations were particularly vulnerable. While there was not significant increased risk found with the overweight individuals, the impact of loss productivity, absenteeism and overall health costs should be further studied.

At R&R, we are seeing more and more small businesses in Wisconsin having serious discussions about the link between obesity and workplace injury. On top of that – when you factor in wellness programs that will increase the health and longevity of employees and their families – small businesses can have a lot control over their health insurance costs and the productivity of their employees - control that they don't know they have. At R&R Insurance, we call this program WellCompForLife! Join the WellCompForLife discussion on LinkedIn!

For more information about WellCompForLife, about self-funding your health insurance plan, health care reform or basic employee benefits questions, contact knowledgebroker Riley Enright

NorthBay Adventure, a small Maryland adventure camp for 6th graders with 30 employees, is making then news because they became self-insured last year. As a result, they are saving 45% on their health care insurance costs, and they have basically removed themselves from the ACA requirements. As noted in the article from Kaiserhealthnews.org, self-insuring is a loophole for the small employer to get out of the ACA requirements.

Credit: KAISER HEALTH NEWS / Kyle Grantham for USA TODAY

More and more small businesses like NorthBay are avoiding the health act's requirements through self-insuring coverage.Self-funding in the past has been more typical for larger employers. Self-insured employers pay for most worker health costs directly, though they contract with an insurer or other company to administer claims. The employers also buy coverage known as stop-loss for claims exceeding a certain amount.Free Download: Loopholes for Self-Funded Plans document

For more information about WellCompForLife, about self-funding your health insurance plan, health care reform or basic employee benefits questions, contact knowledgebroker Riley Enright.

Join our group on LinkedIn: Obamacare: Strategies for Business to Survive. We welcome you to join in the conversation with our LinkedIn group dedicated to discussions for business owners on Obamacare: Strategies for Business To Survive. Read articles, download documents, join the conversation, and add your expertise!

Learn how Voluntary Benefits are impacting small businesses and their ability to attract and retain employees during this time of benefit change.

As we move forward through the stages of healthcare reform, one thing is for certain: employers need to continue to attract and retain the best employees... this has long been true. Today, differentiation will be the key. Enter Ancillary benefits also known as Voluntary benefits!

Voluntary benefits enable employers to offer their employees the ability to choose from a menu of benefits that meet the employee’s needs, even if the employees pay the full cost of those benefits.

Offering voluntary benefits for your employees through a group purchase platform can be better for both you and the employee. Here are 3 great reasons to purchase ancillary benefits through a group platform:

1. Higher guarantee issue limits
2. Fewer underwriting hassles
3. Usually lower premiums
   BONUS: many of these benefits can be paid with pre-tax dollars, which is a plus for both the employee and the employer.

Voluntary benefits could very well be the rescue employers are looking for - and in the very least - your employees will have extra protection, and it will continue to set you apart from other employers.

Would you like to know where your company fits in regard to your benefits offering? Do you have a plan for Obamacare and reform? Have you considered self-funded? We have the answers to these questions and more. Contact knowledgbroker Riley Enright for an up-to-date discussion of your benefit concerns.

Join our group on LinkedIn: Obamacare: Strategies for Business to Survive. We welcome you to join in the conversation with our LinkedIn group dedicated to discussions for business owners on Obamacare: Strategies for Business To Survive. Read articles, download documents, join the conversation, and add your expertise!

Related Article:
Ease Pain of Reform for Employees: Offer Generationally Attractive Voluntary Benefits