Category Archives for Blog

What is a Summary Plan Description?

If you receive healthcare benefits from your employer, you should be given access to a Summary Plan Description (SPD). Your SPD provides essential details about your company’s benefits plan and

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FSAs, Status Changes, and Contributions

Here’s another of my famous jokes for you. Change is inevitable – except from vending machines. HA! 🙂  One of the possibly inevitable changes you may be facing in your own life is in

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Sleep Relief and Your Benefits

What do you get when you eat cookies in bed? Crumby sleep! Get it, crummy sleep? That joke may or may not be funny, but what’s definitely not funny is when you do get crummy sleep. Getting enough

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Managing Stress with Benefit Accounts

A lot of people I talk to are dealing with stress. Long-term stress is unhealthy, of course, and thinking about that may stress you even more – but never fear, the Captain’s here! Let’s discuss

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Workplace Eye Health

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, so “Eye’d” (HA!) like to talk with you about eye care. Due to the time spent in front of computer screens and the risk of injuries from hazards

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FSA Deadlines: Is Time Running Out?

I don’t know about you, but I get plenty of exercise – by jumping to conclusions, pushing my luck, and dodging deadlines! HA! All kidding aside, if you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA),

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The Commuting Conundrum

Which baseball player has the shortest commute? The catcher – because he only works from home! HA! 🙂 Like baseball catchers, some of us have our workplace at home. Others have to commute to work,

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Benefits Account Ownership and Portability

Here’s another one of my funny Dad jokes for you. Why did I quit my job at a coffee shop? Because I couldn’t take the daily grind. Get it…grinding coffee. Ha ha ha. Today though I want

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Top 5 COBRA Need-to-Knows

We can all count on ten things. What are they, you ask? Your fingers…haha! I crack myself up. But – on to the serious focus of my blog today. Unfortunately, something you can’t necessarily

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Financial Resolutions for the New Year

Why is money called “dough”? Because we all “knead” it! Just a little superhero humor! But seriously, money is no laughing matter. Right now, people are thinking about their

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FSAs for Creative Christmas Stockings

Hey everybody! What do you call a bankrupt Santa???? Why, Saint “Nickel-less,” of course! 😆 With just a few days before the end of the year, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) owners who

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FSAs for Healthcare and Dependent Care

Did you know there are three types of employer-sponsored Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)? Each has its purpose, but all three allow users to pay no tax on funds set aside for necessary expenses.

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2023 IRS Limits for FSA, Transit, Adoption Assistance

The IRS just published new benefit limits for 2023. You’ll be able to save even more on your taxes with these accounts next year because limits are increasing. You can read the legalese in IRS Revenue

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CDH Benefits Make Halloween Less Scary

Lots of people love Halloween, and Betty and I love to see the kids in their favorite superhero costumes! (Hint, hint!) People show their spirit by decorating houses and lawns, carving pumpkins, and dressing

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Can I have an HRA and HSA simultaneously?

As consumer-directed healthcare (CDH) accounts become more popular, people want to know how to make them work best. I’m often asked if someone can simultaneously have an HRA and an HSA. The answer

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How to Become a Better Healthcare Consumer

What is the difference between a patient and a healthcare consumer? Many consider the terms synonymous, but there are some distinct differences. Primarily, a patient receives care, but a healthcare consumer

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Do I have the allergies, the flu, or COVID?

Many people look forward to the cooler weather, sights, smells, and activity that fall brings. But the season also sparks certain allergies, marks the start of flu season, and is likely to see another

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Back to School and Your Benefits Accounts

Every parent knows how expensive the back-to-school period can be. In addition to clothing and school supplies, there are eye exams, updated eyeglass and contacts prescriptions, sports physicals, dental

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What’s an ICHRA? What’s a QSEHRA? Curious Minds Want to Know!

Only about 50% of Americans receive group health insurance through their employer, according to 2019 U.S. Census data. Some employers who don’t provide group health insurance to all (or any) employees

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FSA Accounts: Make Them Work for You

A Flexible Spending Account, or FSA, is a great way to save on taxes and set aside money for health and childcare expenses. The basics of FSA accounts are pretty simple. Each payday, you set aside

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Top 5 Reasons You Need a Benefits Debit Card

Does your company sponsor Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Transit/Commuter benefit accounts? If they do, they may offer you

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Four Great Benefits for Working Parents

Many working parents find themselves struggling to make ends meet. As living costs rise, employers are looking for ways to help by offering additional benefit options. Let’s review four great benefit

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HSA Funding, Withdrawals, and Penalties

For people enrolled in a high deductible healthcare plan (HDHP), you either own a Health Savings Account (HSA) or hopefully are considering one. HSAs provide participants with several significant

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Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) Frequently Asked Questions

If you pay for the care of a child, parent or other tax dependent so that you can work or attend school, you could benefit from a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSA), also known as a Dependent

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Eating Disorders Rose During Pandemic

Mental health has generated increased attention since the beginning of the pandemic. With more people experiencing stress, isolation, and financial pressures, talking about their symptoms, and seeking

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