Forsite Benefits - Blog #employee educationForsite Benefits - Blog #employee educationhttps://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/tag/employee-educationSat, 20 Dec 2025 18:10:37 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Understanding Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/understanding-employee-assistance-programs-eaps

Employee assistance programs, or EAPs, have evolved since their inception just under a century ago. So much so, that what we know as today’s broad EAP scope stemmed from a single program. The original Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was created to treat the negative effects alcoholism had on overall job performance. In the last 80+ years, EAPs have grown to encompass a multitude of services which tackle struggles faced both in the office and at home. EAPs aim to treat the effects these struggles have on employee well-being, productivity, and overall happiness.


Simply put, employee assistance programs offer resources for ALL employees to achieve a healthier work/life balance. While the utilization of EAPs has increased since 1940, these beneficial programs are still considered underutilized at a reported less than 10% (shrm.org). Why? Many employees are simply not educated on the depth and availability of EAPs. 

​The stigma that employee assistance programs are only for individuals who suffer from substance abuse or mental health struggles is simply not true. The progression of EAP development encompasses needs for all walks of life.​ Typically offered at no cost to employees as a perk included in company-sponsored benefit plans, EAPs’ completely confidential expert services could cover; financial stressors, legal problems, marital struggles, adoption assistance, sleep disturbance, retirement planning, virtual doctor visits (telehealth), depression, anxiety, workplace performance issues, trauma recovery, life coaching, and much more. Today, nearly all employee assistance programs offer telephonic or video-based counseling sessions.

The Benefits of Employee Assistance Programs Extend Beyond the Employee

EAPs are a substantial perk for employees. Furthermore, the eligibility of these programs extends beyond the employee to their spouse and dependent(s). Telehealth services have allowed for children to receive counseling via a smartphone, tablet, or laptop from the comfort of their own home. With the extension of these benefits to spouses and dependents, the whole family can better tackle life’s obstacles and increase individual and family well-being.

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Employee physical and mental health is more important than ever and we find that movement is the best medicine. Involve your team in a fun, active step challenge where you will compete against other Wisconsin organizations and raise money for a great cause. 

   The Move Challenge >>   

Why Should Employees Consider Using EAPs?

According to a recent SHRM employee benefits research pole, 79% of surveyed employers offer some form of employee assistance program(s). As the scope of EAPs has progressed and utilization has increased, some studies suggest that an increase in utilization has resulted in lower medical costs, less absenteeism, and an increase in employee productivity.

 

Begin Your Search For Employee Assistance Programs.

Fortunately, there are many employee assistance programs available, ranging from free community resources, employer-sponsored plans and programs offered as part of an insurance benefit. The goal of this article is to help align you with the EAP resource(s) available to you and those around you.

 

Search our EAP library for your insurance carrier to find available employee assistance programs! 

Today, there is a clear disconnect reported regarding the availability of resources versus employees' perception of access. This shows that communication is key to effective EAP and benefit offerings. Choose an uncluttered, engaging medium where you can relay important information to your employees. Whether email or a company intranet, know that choosing a communication method is the most important step you will take in helping your employees and organization thrive.


We communicate with our team using Forsite EXP >>

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Addressing Physical & Mental Health in the Workplace >>

]]>Tue, 15 Jun 2021 14:09:37 -0500<![CDATA[Addressing Physical & Mental Health in the Workplace]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/addressing-mental-health-in-the-workplace

Having resources, programs and policies that support employees' physical and mental health does not fall under the 'would be nice to have' category for current employees or job candidates. Such perks are sought after and necessary for long-term success. New data is showing that the effects of the pandemic remain a major concern. Individuals in the workplace, from all departments, continue to struggle.

  • 41% of Americans report an adverse mental health condition, up from 11% in 2019, according to a recent study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
  • The CDC projects an increase of 50% in prevalence of mental health and substance use disorder in the first 12 months post-onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The P.A.T.H. to Mental Health | Tuesday, June 28th, 2022

It's time to discuss today's workplace mental health challenges, and the PATH to creating a healthier, better prepared environment for employees.


7:30 - 8:00 a.m. | Networking, breakfast & coffee

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Speakers


REGISTER FOR THIS FREE IN-PERSON EVENT >>

​​Providing well-being resources in the workplace boosts employee productivity, job satisfaction and overall health.

There is currently a disconnect between how employers feel about the level of support they offer for employee well-being, versus how employees perceive having access to services and workplace stigma. 


78% of employees report that improving their health and wellbeing is a high priority, while also reporting that they wish their employers would offer more health and wellbeing services. 


Organizations are being called to create a culture that promotes productivity, happiness, and overall well-being, helping employees be more resilient, productive, and less stressed. 

3 Steps You Can Take to Support Employee Well-being

Step One | Communicate

The presented disconnect in the last year regarding the availability of resources versus employees' perception of access shows that communication is key to effective offerings. Choose an uncluttered, engaging medium where you can relay important information to your employees. Whether email or a company intranet, know that choosing a communication method is the most important step you will take in helping your employees and organization thrive.


We communicate with our team using Forsite EXP >>


Step Two | Educate

Using your chosen communication channel, educate your employees on the resources available to them. These resources could include employee assistance programs through their benefits package, hotlines, financial assistance programs, healthcare education, phone numbers to benefit advisors or information on your company wellness program.


Step Three | Remind

Encouraging the utilization of and engagement with the resources provided is important. Be sure to frequently communicate reminders to your employees about why mental and physical health are important, as well as what resource are available to help them achieve their well-being goals. 

]]>Wed, 09 Jun 2021 09:15:13 -0500<![CDATA[Understanding Healthcare Transactions and Confidently Paying Your Provider]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/understanding-healthcare-transactions-and-confidently-paying-your-provider

Typical service transactions are straight forward. When you walk into your frequented barber shop or hair salon, you should have a pretty good idea of what the bill will be when the service is complete. You will receive the service and pay the bill before heading out the door. All done! This familiar process translates to an oil change, car wash, pet grooming, and many other services we consume on a regular basis. Where we do not see this transaction sequence, is when purchasing healthcare services. 

The Healthcare Transaction Process

It is important that you, as a healthcare consumer, feel confident in the accuracy of the payment you send to your provider after a healthcare visit. Healthcare reimbursement is a multi-step, lengthy and complicated process that could go a little something like this;


1.  A patient visits their healthcare provider for a particular service and checks in, presents their ID card and pays a copay fee if applicable.


2.  The patient receives care from their healthcare provider, who enters notes into an electronic file throughout the visit. These notes will later be used to create codes that the insurance carrier pays by.


3.  The patient’s visit is concluded and the patient leaves with no immediate bill or charge aside from a possible copay.


4.  The codes interpreted from your healthcare provider’s notes will be sent in an electronic data file to your insurance carrier, which will likely be automatically adjudicated and paid by the carrier. 


5.  The patient will receive their explanation of benefits (EOB) from the insurance carrier and an invoice from the doctor’s office if additional payment is needed.

Know the Cost of Your Healthcare Before Receiving It.

If a possible unknown medical bill in the mail from your healthcare visit stirs up more fear in you than the effects of untreated injury and illness, this article is for you. The Healthcare Transparency Rule, effective January 1, 2021, brings patients closer to knowing what care will cost before a visit to the doctor even happens. Read more >>>

The Explanation of Benefits

An explanation of benefits, or EOB, is a summary of your insurance benefits that have been applied to your medical claim. It is important to note that an explanation of benefits is NOT a final invoice and should not be treated as such. A crucial area of the patient’s EOB that should be examined is under ‘Member’s Responsibility’. The amount listed under ‘Member’s Responsibility’ should exactly match the amount due in the invoice from your doctor’s office. If the EOB and invoice amounts do not match, it is time to give your company’s Benefit Broker a call for assistance in resolving the claim discrepancy. 

EOBs should be filed and stored away for future reference. 

Making a Payment:

When a claim has been finalized, either the insurance company will cover the invoice in full, or an outstanding payment will be requested of the patient. When a patient receives the invoice from their doctor’s office and has confirmed that the amount due matches the EOB, a few pieces of information are needed to complete the payment.


1.  Date of healthcare service(s) provided.

2.  Patient ID number and billing number.

3.  Total amount owed by patient, not covered by insurance carrier, to service provider.


Keep in mind that if you have a high-deductible or other qualifying plan, your HSA is an acceptable method of payment.

What is a Health Savings Account?

A health savings account, or HSA account, is a savings account where you can deposit money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. The list of qualified medical expenses is huge... Read more >>>

Asking for Help

When in doubt, contact your employer’s Benefits Broker for assistance resolving billing and claims discrepancies, help understanding your explanation of benefits or other insurance and billing related questions. For Forsite Benefits' clients, rely on our Forsite Assist team for benefit guidance. If you find your explanation of benefits does not match the doctor’s invoice, reach out to your doctor’s office for an itemized list of services and invoice coding to ensure coding is correct before finalizing a payment. 

Did you enjoy this educational read?

Check out our library of Nav Series newsletter topics and remember to subscribe to our employee healthcare education and receive a new healthcare topic each month to your inbox! 

]]>Wed, 19 May 2021 15:18:11 -0500<![CDATA[4 Ways Employers Can Level-Up the Employee Benefit Experience]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/4-ways-employers-can-level-up-the-employee-benefit-experience

Unicorns, flying pigs, golden eggs, and a money tree. What do these have to do with your company’s Employee Benefits you ask? Absolutely nothing. But now that I have your attention let us talk about the benefits you, as an employer, offer and how you communicate those benefits to your employees.

 

Whether you are a company of under 50 or a fortune 100, benefits are typically promoted at onboarding for new hires and once a year at open enrollment. That is where it usually stops. Seriously! Outside of Payroll, your second or third greatest expense to be in business is only addressed one to two times per year. Not only are employee benefits expensive for you as the employer, but a big decision for us employees too. So, would you say addressing employee benefits 1-2 times a year is sufficient? I do not think so.

Address the Education and Communication Gaps.

Employees are most often not taught how to use their benefits and what might be worse is that most do not even know what benefits they have even after electing them. If an employee does not know what benefits he or she may have, do you think their spouse or significant other knows? More than likely not. Some of the most common questions or comments I receive as a Benefit Advisor include:


  • I do not know what benefits I have.
  • Where do I go with questions about my benefits?
  • Does my company have a wellness plan?
  • Do I have life insurance through work?
  • Is my doctor in-network?
  • Are there more affordable options for my prescription medications?


If Joe, the employee, does not know what his benefits are, how to use them, or where to go with questions about coverage, how can you expect him to make the most informed decisions about his health and wellbeing? See where I am going with this?


OK Brad, we hear ya. So, what can we do? Glad you asked!

Distribute a Simple To-Do List for Immediate Progress.

Each employee & their plan dependent(s) should be provided with this list to take action on the following items.

 

1.  Get registered on the Insurance Carrier’s website.

a.  Create a username & password for medical, dental & vision plans.

2.  Confirm that chosen care providers are in-network.

3.  Know the plan deductible and coinsurance and have a summary of benefits readily available.

a.  I always recommend calling the insurance customer service to verify my benefits before my appointments.

4.  Create a list of phone numbers & email address to call when you have question or need help with benefits-related questions.

5.  Obtain most recent ID cards for the plan holder and dependents.

a.  This list should contain the contact information of the company’s employee advocacy program through your benefits broker.

Forsite provides another helpful checklist, called The Open Enrollment Checklist, you can share with employees to ensure they are equipped with the resources and information they need to navigate benefit needs all year long.

Provide Employees with Year-Round Benefit Education.

Here are some ideas for topics you could address with your employees consistently throughout the year to increase employee engagement in healthcare education and awareness and reduce unnecessary claims.

    • Diabetes management - most health insurance plans have a program to help.
    • Employee Assistance Programs.
    • Heart health.
    • Mammograms.
    • Prescription medication saving tools (Amazon Pharmacy, Wal-mart $4 drug list, and GoodRx)
    • Safety reminders for those in manufacturing plants, shops or production lines.
    • Smoking cessation.
    • The importance of scheduling and attending an annual wellness exam.


Engage Employees Wherever They Are.

Recognize that not all your employees are in an office, cubicle, or storage B (“Excuse me, I believe you have my stapler” Melvin). You may have employees on the production floor, out in the field, on the road, working from home, across multiple locations, etc.


My assumption is that not every employee is effectively engaged or knows where to find important employee benefits info. You probably send all corporate communications via email, intranet, break room postings, or your Human Resources team members are fielding the questions. These are just the most common communication methods I hear.


Instead of these multi-channel communication approaches, don’t you think housing all communication and resources in one spot would be easiest, most effective, and provide the best employee experience?


Invest in the Best.

Your company can pay a gazillion dollars for the best benefits. But in order for those expensive benefits to attract and retain the best employees and build the best company culture, your company needs the best technology to effectively communicate year-round with employees and their family.

Get the Best Solution With Forsite Benefits' EXP.

We at Forsite Benefits have that solution to house all your important company communications and employee benefit information in one place; on the employees' smart phones. I love our App. We have been using our technology internally and are now offer our solution to companies who want to engage their employees in effective communications, benefits information and education, wellness initiatives, and company culture.

  

All those roadblocks of not knowing what benefits I have and where to go with insurance questions are gone as my company’s communications are in one spot. I don’t have to log onto my computer, get a printout, and ask my boss or HR team questions on what to do because my spouse asked me a question about our insurance.


“Hey, do we have life insurance through your work?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well do you know where you can find out?”

“No.”

“Who do we have to ask?”

“I don’t know!”


With EXP, employees and their dependent(s) can easily find the answers they seek right on the app.

EXP Educates Employees and Encourages Healthy Habits.

Education around benefits & wellness is oftentimes only covered at open enrollment. Our solution, EXP, aims to fix that. We surround your employees with the education they need to confidently navigate care, and improve their daily health habits.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EXP >>>

In summary, most companies do not have a consistent or effective way to communicate with their employees all year round. Most employees do not know what benefits they have or where to go with questions about their coverage. 2020 has spread our workforces out more than ever. Having the right communication tool to engage your employees has become so much more important.


Thanks for giving me your time! Now, let’s help our employees become the best, most educated and communicated-with healthcare consumers they can be!


This article was written by Brad Lindemann |blindemann@motionconnected.com

As a Business Development Manager for Motion Connected, Brad is an invaluable resource for employers when establishing, building upon or rebuilding the way employees are communicated with and engaged in company culture. With 15 years of experience assisting employees in benefit navigation, Brad can provide detailed insight into the struggles employees are facing today that employers might not know about, communication solutions to address these struggles and what information employers need to share with their employees for an elevated employee experience.


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The Three Es That Make or Break Your Employees' Experience


]]>Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:27:21 -0500<![CDATA[Know the Cost of Your Healthcare Before Receiving it with the 2021 Price Transparency Rule]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/know-the-cost-of-your-healthcare-before-receiving-it-with-the-2021-healthcare-transparency-rule

If a possible unknown medical bill in the mail from your healthcare visit stirs up more fear in you than the effects of untreated injury and illness, this article is for you. The Healthcare Price Transparency Rule, effective January 1, 2021, brings patients closer to knowing what care will cost before a visit to the doctor even happens. This historic ruling empowers healthcare consumers, such as yourself, to shop around for the most affordable and quality healthcare services. Not only will you know what to expect for a visit or procedure cost but can accurately prepare financially in advance.


"...the (hospital) Price Transparency Rule (the “Rule”) requires all hospitals operating within the United States to make public a list of their standard charges for items and services via the Internet in a machine-readable format. Hospitals must also provide prices for a list of 300 shoppable services that must be made publicly available in a searchable, consumer-friendly format..." - Healthcarelawinsights.com 


In years past, healthcare consumers being in the dark regarding prices of healthcare services has brought about anxiety over surprise medical bills. Several reputable surveyors (including the Kaiser Health Tracking Poll and NORC at the University of Chicago) have reported that while the vast majority of Americans, over 90%, believe that physical exams are important, less than half of the population schedules this crucial, annual visit to their doctor. 

The Dilemma Facing Today's Typical Healthcare Consumer.

Due to a fear of unknown cost, common preventive care and illness or injury related visits are foregone by too many Americans. As a result, chronic illness and disease is not detected as early as possible, resulting in later, more intense treatment and higher than necessary medical bills. 

The Future of Healthcare Consumerism.

The new healthcare transparency rule coupled with employees’ efforts to becoming a more educated consumer has potential to result in cost savings for employees and employers alike.


Healthcare consumers can be confident in their knowledge to get the right care from the right providers at the right time. The lessened anxiety and stress associated with unknown costs and navigating healthcare today can open the doors for patients to plan financially and receive necessary care. The predictable increased utilization of preventive care services could lead to more cases of early detection and an overall healthier population. 

The Mission: Becoming a Better-Informed Healthcare Consumer.

1.  List out the services you know you will need in the coming year: annual physicals, elective surgeries, childbirth, blood work, your annual eye exam, and other preventive care.


2.  Search the names of the healthcare providers you are considering for your care along with “price transparency” and locate for your needed service(s).


3.  Compare prices; shop around for the best price for your budget and healthcare needs.


4.  Schedule those preventive visits! Keep in mind: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.


5. Gather and organize your resources using this checklist to be ready in a pinch when a healthcare need arises.


Navigating healthcare is confusing, but you don’t have to navigate your plan alone. It is possible for you to be as educated a consumer of healthcare as you are groceries. Benefits are to be used as just that; a benefit to you and your dependents. 

Be Prepared. Keep it Simple. Get Educated.

Gather your resources, know who is in your network, understand how to reach out if you have broker advocacy tools such as Forsite Assist, and know where educational resources are regarding your benefits plan. 


Be prepared! Have a plan ready in the event of a medical emergency or mental health crisis knowing where to go and what information you need on hand. 

Download this free, printable newsletter for the office.

This Month's Nav Series Newsletter is a quick and easy read about the new Healthcare Price Transparency Rule and what it means for the future of healthcare consumerism.


Did you enjoy this educational read?

Check out our library of Nav Series newsletter topics and remember to subscribe to our employee healthcare education and receive a new topic each month to your inbox! 


]]>Fri, 23 Apr 2021 13:07:40 -0500<![CDATA[3 Steps For Employers to Help Retirement Ready Employees Make the Best Healthcare Decisions]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/3-steps-for-employers-to-help-retirement-ready-employees-make-the-best-healthcare-decisions

From newly hired team members to seasoned employees nearing retirement, every employee will have unique healthcare needs for their stage of life. If you provide employees sufficient education on how they can intelligently navigate healthcare, not only will employees save money, but claims will be mitigated which effect the cost of the employer-sponsored benefit plan.


When it comes to a stage of life and the healthcare education provided for said stage, the largest gap that we see, and employers often attest to, is among retirement ready employees.


Staying on the employer-sponsored benefit plan is rarely in the best interest of a retirement ready employee or the employer. With age, employees typically see more claims and complicated health issues that will weigh heavily on the company’s benefit plan. Alternative health insurance could save an eligible employee nearing retirement some financial strain and equip them with the options they need for their wellbeing. In turn, the employer could be spared high dollar claims that would affect their plan premium.


Because of these truths, your retirement ready employees knowing and understanding all healthcare options available to them is in the best interest of both the employee and the employer.

Three Steps Employers Can Take to Help Retirement Ready Employees Make the Best Healthcare Decisions.

Step 1: Establish an effective communication method with your employees.

A reliable communication method will ensure proper delivery of and engagement with important company updates and healthcare information. Perhaps company email, desktop messaging, or traditional paper notes into office mailboxes has been your communication practice over the years. With the overwhelming use of email today, desktop messaging only being accessible during office hours and traditional paper methods being less than reliable and un-trackable, these outdated communication methods rarely prove effective.


We find the best and most effective avenue to reach employees with important communications is through a device that never leaves their person; smart phones. Consider investing in a customizable smart phone app that would deliver notifications and text messages right to your employees’ phones.

Step 2: Educate your retirement ready population on proper healthcare navigation.

Unfortunately, because of its complicated and frustrating nature, insurance is seldom communicated about. Employees love education, but do not enjoy having to find information for themselves. Reach out to a strategic partner for employee healthcare education or gather educational resources yourself on:


Alert your employees that these resources are available and make them accessible. Use your established, effective communication method to deliver these resources.
Step 3: Empower retirement-ready employees to take action.

Encourage employees to consider their retirement needs 2-3 years before retirement, meet with a Financial Advisor to establish a budget, contact a Life Stage Support Counselor to discuss plan options, and ultimately enroll in a healthcare plan that is best suited for their unique current and long-term healthcare needs as they transition into retirement.

The Results of Proper Healthcare Education and Getting Employees Ready for Retirement.

Retirement ready employees choosing their best health insurance option is a big decision that takes time and is in the best interest of the employee and employer. With proper guidance and continued healthcare education, retirement ready employees will find themselves saving the most money and getting the best coverage for their individual healthcare needs. In turn, employers could mitigate or all-together avoid inheriting claims on the company benefits plan that will affect their population healthcare premiums in the future.


Actions for Retirement Ready Employees to Take Today to Save Money on the Most Common Healthcare Costs and Mitigate Future Claims.


1.  Schedule an annual physical exam or wellness visit. This annual preventive visit is covered at 100% through health insurance and catches chronic, genetic, and other disease early on and keeps treatment costs at bay.

 

2.  Get familiar and comfortable with telehealth services. Virtual doctor visits are a fraction of the cost of in-person visits and can be done from the comfort of your home using any technology device that supports a camera function.

 

3.  Know the resources available for prescription cost savings. Walmart’s $4 drug list, GoodRx and Amazon Pharmacy are just a few that offer tremendous savings on otherwise costly medications.

Check out our series of employee healthcare education newsletters: The Nav Series

Forsite Benefits creates monthly employee healthcare education on relevant topics for all stages of life. We compile useful information into easy-to-read and understand articles, and deliver free content to our email subscribers each month. 

The Nav Series

As a Life Stage Support Counselor for Forsite Benefits & Wellness, Charles uses his health care expertise and ambition to help clients choose the best healthcare plan for their unique individual and family needs along with solving exhausting issues that naturally arise when navigating healthcare. 



]]>Tue, 06 Apr 2021 11:48:04 -0500<![CDATA[Step-by-Step How Employees Can Find the Best Early Retirement Health Insurance Options]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/step-by-step-how-employees-can-find-the-best-early-retirement-health-insurance-options
How to Navigate Health Insurance For Retirees Under 65 Before Medicare Eligibility.

Retiring before 65? Hopefully finding the right health care coverage for you and your family has been at the top of mind. Roughly 90 days prior to your becoming Medicare eligible, chances are many of the health coverage options will present themselves to you in the mail. Each carefully crafted message surely tells you all the reasons {insert plan} is the best option for you. Unfortunately, no piece of mail, internet article or neighbor knows your unique individual or family situation, health history, current medications, retirement plans, or budget and each of these items play a huge role in deciding which retirement health insurance makes the most sense for you. 

Download this month's Nav Series Newsletter on early retirement to share with your team.

Medicare will be available to you at age 65. As an early retiree, how do you go about finding health care coverage that will best cover all your health care needs in retirement?

    

There is no cookie cutter health insurance coverage option for retirees. Everyone’s situation is unique. Take the next steps with the goal of understanding; what options are available to you, how do they work, and how does each plan option fit into your current life and future.

Step 1. Talk with your financial advisor about retirement planning.

Bring your retirement hopes and dreams to your financial advisor and nail down a budget. This will tell you what health care coverage you can afford, and help you allocate money for prescription medications, doctor visits, surgeries and other health related needs that may come up in your retirement years.

 

Step 2. Talk with a Life Stage Support Counselor on how each health care plan available to you fits with your unique needs.

Your trusted Life Stage Support Counselor will know the ins and outs of every option available to you including COBRA, the health insurance marketplace, private insurance market options, health sharing ministry programs, and short term medical policies. Forsite’s Life Stage Support Counselors are seasoned health insurance experts that advocate for our clients, not a direct insurance carrier. So you can be sure the education our team provides on each option available to you is transparent and truthful, and all conversations had with our counselors are 100% confidential.

 

Step 3. Take home all the information you are given and thoroughly digest it.

Consider your health history, current medications, budget, retirement lifestyle and family needs to make the best and most educated decision.

 

Step 4. Confidently choose your health care coverage and get help enrolling.

Once you have chosen the plan that makes most sense for you, take your decision to your Life Stage Support Counselor to guide you through enrollment in that plan. Forsite’s Life Stage Support Counselors will not only help you execute the plan you have chosen but continue to be a resource as you navigate your new plan in retirement.

Employers Need to Help Retirement Age Employees Make Smart Health Care Decisions and Plan For Retirement >>>

When it comes to a stage of life and the healthcare education provided for said stage, the largest gap that we see, and employers often attest to, is among retirement ready employees.

Common Mistakes to Avoid as an Employee Nearing Retirement.

 

1. Doing nothing or waiting until the last minute.

The complexity of the health care system coupled with fear and anxiety of change in health care plans causes many individuals to do nothing or wait until the last minute to get information on retiree health plan coverage.

 

2. Making decisions with the information you receive in the mail and online.

The bombardment of retiree healthcare information in the mail as well as information on the internet can often be misleading and not paint you the whole picture. Talk with your financial advisor and Life Stage Support Counselor on how each plan interacts with your healthcare needs.  

 

Now that you have a step-by-step guide to choosing health insurance for your retirement, prioritize your and your family’s health. Take care of your heart! And combat chronic illness. Use some of your new time to meal prep, cook at home, and get active.

 

Enjoy retirement!

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]]>Fri, 12 Mar 2021 17:02:26 -0600<![CDATA[10 Steps to Becoming a Heart Healthy Role Model]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/10-steps-to-becoming-a-heart-healthy-role-model



Adopting and sticking to heart-healthy habits is important for everyone at every age.  With heart disease being the leading cause of death among Americans, educating yourself on heart health is of the utmost importance. There are many ways to practice a lifestyle that contributes to heart health, in turn lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease.


Symptoms of cardiovascular disease may be different between men and women. Men are more likely to have chest pain, whereas women are more likely to have chest discomfort; shortness of breath, nausea, and extreme fatigue. If any of these symptoms occur, call 911 immediately! 

American Heart Statistics.

  • Nearly 1 in 3 Americans’ cause of death is cardiovascular disease.
  • Smoking leads to 1 of every 3 deaths from cardiovascular disease.
  • Cardiovascular disease kills 1 woman every 80 seconds!
  • Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men.
  • Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the U.S.A.

Download this month's Nav Series Newsletter to share with your team.

You may already be conscious of your heart’s needs and taking steps to maintain your most important organ’s health. Or maybe heart-health has not been at the top of your priority list over the years. The good news is, it is not too late to develop some habits that will help you take care of your heart!

Here are 10 ways you can start taking better care of your heart today, and influence those around you.

1.  Eat healthy at home. 

First, take notes on what foods are best to make up the majority of your diet. The American Heart Association recommends eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean animal protein, fish, nuts, and legumes. Using mainly these ingredients, create balanced meals.


Click here for a Heart Healthy Recipe Guide that is good for your heart and wallet. 


To make balanced, daily nutrition easy, plan your shopping list and weekly meals ahead of time to avoid impulse purchases, drive-through meals, and an unbalanced diet.

2.  Seek out a reputable, In-Network doctor and schedule your annual wellness checkup.

Your annual wellness visit with your primary care provider helps establish a baseline for your vital stats; weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. This very important annual visit helps foster a relationship with your doctor, creating a comfortable environment and trust for if a more serious health issue were to occur. Going annually also helps your doctor with early detection of disease or other health problems.


No one likes a surprise healthcare bill in the mail. This brief article describes how to be sure your annual visit is FREE!  An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.

3.  Get Active Every Day.

This isn’t as easy as it sounds. With our busy schedules of work, social and family life, waking up before the sun shines might feel like your only option to fulfill a physical activity quota. The trick is to treat the time you need for physical activity like an important meeting and schedule time to move in your calendar. Whether it’s multiple 10-minute breaks throughout the day to get out of your seat and stretch, or 30 minutes during lunch to go for a walk, find a routine that is comfortable for you. To take your daily routine to the next level, add some accountability. Ask a co-worker or family member to join you. Make it a club; walking, running, yoga, or any other movement you enjoy.


Here is a quick list of  30 ways to get your steps in at home.

4.  Do away with bad habits such as over-indulging in alcohol and smoking.

Over-indulging in alcohol is defined as more than one drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men. Smoking and drinking alcohol narrows the blood vessels and forces the heart to beat harder, which can ultimately lead to high blood pressure. Measurements above 140/90mmHg are considered to be high blood pressure.

5.  Live out your heart-healthy habits with the ones you love. 

Allow those around you to witness your daily commitment to heart health. Include your family in your daily exercise routine; walking together, taking bike rides, practicing yoga or engaging in other physical activities. Shop for and cook your favorite heart-healthy meals together. 


As a role model, here are 5 healthier living resolutions for you to commit to, and share with everyone around you. 

6.  Know your family history of heart health and take note of risk factors.

Leading a heart-healthy lifestyle alone can reduce your risk of heart disease by 45%. A crucial component to being proactive in your heart health is knowing your family’s medical history. Do you know of any cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure that runs in your family? Inform your doctor of your findings during your annual physical, so together, you can act early to mitigate the onset of any possible genetic cardiac disease.

7.  Practice meditation to improve factors linked with heart disease.

The slowing of your breathing helps you breathe deeper, ultimately lowering the production of the stress hormone, cortisol. Meditation reduces stress and anxiety, helps lower blood pressure, aids in smoking cessation and will reduce mortality risk from heart disease.


Wondering where to start with meditation? For easy, in-home meditation, YouTube contains countless meditation guides for anxiety, relaxation, mindfulness, and so much more.

8.  Maintain a healthy body weight as your metabolism slows down with age.

Muscle cells require more energy than fat cells. As we get older, we tend to lose muscle cells, hence our metabolism slows. Eating protein rich foods, such as fish, legumes, dairy, among other foods, could help increase your metabolism and helps your body hold onto muscle mass. For women, the decrease in estrogen, typically around menopause, makes a big impact on regulating metabolism.


Practice good habits in diet and exercise to maintain a healthy body weight.

9.  Check your blood pressure levels on a regular basis.

54% of strokes and 47% of coronary heart diseases worldwide are attributed to high blood pressure, so it is important to be in tune to your blood pressure levels. Have fun with your kids at the pharmacy or grocery store checking your blood pressure together near the store pharmacy.


How is Blood Pressure Measured?

Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. The first number, systolic pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart muscles contract. The second number, diastolic pressure, is the measure of your blood pressure between heart beats. Ideally, your blood pressure should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. 

10.  Be Mindful of Your Mental Health.

The American Heart Association recommends that depression be recognized as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Depression increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 80%. There is a simple prescription for both mental health and cardiovascular disease; moving! Activity improves mood, sleep, response to stress and memory function. 

I hope this article has given you ideas on how you can start in keeping or making your heart healthy. A great way to start putting your heart health front of mind is to pick 2 or 3 of the 10 ways listed above and focus on those solutions for a given time. When those practices become habit, pick 1 or 2 more to focus on. No one is perfect but taking the proper steps in the right direction can only help!


On the personal side, get your family or loved ones involved. Everyone does better when it becomes social. Not only will you hold each other accountable, but you will be able to spend more time together doing something for your health!


On the professional side, check into seeing if your employer has a wellness program. If they do, see how you can get involved. If your employer does not have a wellness program, start a walking club with your coworkers! You will be surprised at how quickly others will be interested in learning about what you are doing, or they may start a club of their own that interests them!


For more information on how Forsite Benefits | Motion Connected has helped individuals and employers jump start their wellbeing platform, please contact me directly msteffek@forsitebenefits.com or 920-593-1912. Forsite Benefits | Motion Connected has seen fantastic results when it comes to mental and physical health improvements, along with correlations of improved health and improved health insurance performance when utilizing our resources. 

This article was written by Missy Steffek | msteffek@forsitebenefits.com

As a Benefit Advisor for the Forsite Team, Missy believes deeply in the importance of proper communication when it comes to company-sponsored benefit programs. Through her experiences as a frequent user and navigator of healthcare, Missy is an incredible connection for any professional seeking benefit communication and open enrollment advice. 

Did you enjoy this educational read? 

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]]>Thu, 11 Feb 2021 11:50:00 -0600<![CDATA[February 2021: Stay Informed of the Latest HR News]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/february-2021-stay-informed-of-the-latest-hr-news


DOL Increases Civil Penalty Amounts for 2021

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its 2021 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties that may be assessed on employers for violations of a wide range of federal laws, including:


  • The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA);
  • The Employee Retirement income Security Act (ERISA);
  • The Family and Medical leave Act (FMLA; and 
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH act)

To maintain their deterrent effect, the DOL is required to adjust these penalties for inflation, no later than Jan. 15 of each year. Key penalty increases include the following:

  • The maximum penalty for violations of federal minimum wage or overtime requirements increases from $2,050 to $2,074 per violation. 
  • The maximum penalty for failing to file a Form 5500 for an employee benefit plan increases from $2,233 to $2,259 per day.
  • The maximum penalty for violations of the poster requirement under the FMLA increases from $176 to $178 per offense.

Action Steps
Employers should become familiar with the new penalty amounts and review their pay practices, benefit plan administration and safety protocols to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

Reminder: Medicare Part D Disclosures due by March 1, 2021 for Calendar Year Plans

Requirement Generally Applies to Group Health Plans Providing Prescription Drug Coverage.


Group health plan sponsors are required to complete an online disclosure form with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on an annual basis and at other select times, indicating whether the plan's prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. This disclosure requirement applies when an employer-sponsored group health plan provides prescription drug coverage to individuals who are eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D. 


The plan sponsor must complete the online disclosure within 60 days after the beginning of the plan year. For calendar year health plans, the deadline for the annual online disclosure is March 1, 2021.


Employers that are required to report to CMS should work with their advisors to determine whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. They should also visit CMS' creditable coverage website, which includes links to the online disclosure form and related instructions.


For timely compliance, regulatory and healthcare reform updates, you can always visit the Forsite Homepage to view our alerts newsfeed at your convenience.  

5 Steps for Year-Round Benefits Engagement


Open enrollment is something you probably only think about a few times a year. For employees, it might be even less often. And that’s unfortunate because that means employees may not be maximizing their benefits. That’s why it’s important to touch on benefits throughout the year—to ensure employees are making the most of them.

Open enrollment provides the ideal opportunity to gather and organize resources employees may need throughout the year to effectively transfer that financial risk, should they need to. Navigating healthcare can be stressful. By sharing this employee open enrollment checklist    with your team, not only can future stress be eliminated, but savings can also be achieved.

To engage your employees in benefit education year-round, consider the following 5 steps.


1. Have a Goal in Mind

It’s no good to send random communications to employees. Your benefits communications should be informed by a clear goal. For instance, your goal may be to reduce employee questions during open enrollment. From there, you could survey employees to figure out their top questions to ensure you hit the right marks.


2. Keep Topics Relevant

As you communicate throughout the year, don’t lose sight of your goal. You’ll want to make sure each message is relevant to both your main objective and to employees’ interests or benefits options. With your communications, employees will immediately want to know “what’s in it for me,” so be sure to stay on topic.


Forsite Benefits creates free, monthly content for employees featuring easily-digestible healthcare topics. Sign up for the monthly Nav Series newsletters to be delivered to you inbox! Educating your employees on an important and relevent healthcare topic each month will be as simple as clicking "forward".

3. Aim for Brevity

All your messaging should get straight to the point. Employees can get tired of seeing the same information over and over. If your communications go on and on, employees will be disinterested even faster. The basic message formula should be:


  • The pitch: “Here’s something you may not know about your benefits.”
  • The why: “This is why it’s important to you.”
  • Call to action: “Here’s what you should do to learn more about this information.”


If you find that a communication has multiple versions of these elements, that may be a sign that it’s too lengthy.


4. Change Up the Medium

Not everyone retains information in the same way. So instead of sticking to one medium, be sure to vary your communication methods. This could mean mailing print flyers, sending mass emails, posting videos on an intranet site and tacking up posters. The idea is to get your message out through every channel available.


5. Set Up a Communication Calendar

Having communications that are goal-oriented, relevant, punchy and multichannel is great, but you must also know when to send them. Consider setting up a communication calendar to help. Think about important dates, and schedule messaging for those instances. At the very least, having a calendar will help you space out communications to reduce messaging fatigue.

Financial Planning Assistance During the Pandemic


The COVID-19 pandemic is not only challenging the way Americans live on a daily basis, but also posing significant economic threats that could have a lasting effect on their financial well-being. Furthermore, studies suggest that financial worries can affect employees’ health and productivity. That’s why the majority of employers believe they must help address these issues before they worsen.

Amid the pandemic, more employers than before feel responsible for helping improve employees’ financial well-being and reduce their stress. According to a recent Bank of America survey, 62% of employers feel "extremely" responsible for their employees' financial well-being, compared with 13% in 2013.


Employers can choose to provide financial planning assistance in a number of ways, through HR, financial advisors or other third-parties. Assistance may include budget counseling, educational resources, and student loan paybacks and purchasing programs—anything that helps reduce employees’ financial anxieties. Employers should consider surveying employees to pinpoint what programs or resources would be most impactful for them.

 

Easing the financial worries of employees has many positive benefits. By helping employees with a major source of stress, employers can improve morale, productivity and overall employee well-being. Employers should review their current financial assistance offerings to ensure they can satisfy the evolving needs of their workers.

5 Must-Do's for Employee Orientation


Employee orientation is an important piece of HR and employee management. A formal orientation is essential to setting a new hire up for success and helping your company maintain the corporate image and values you portrayed during the interview process. Employee orientation can also be designed for current staffers who are being promoted to a new position within the company and need a similar type of program. Learn the must-do's for employee orientation in this video >>>

The content herein is provided for general information purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or other advice or opinions on any matters. This information has been taken from sources which we believe to be reliable, but there is no guarantee as to its accuracy.

Copyright © 2020 HR 360, Inc. All rights reserved.


]]>Mon, 01 Feb 2021 15:03:39 -0600<![CDATA[Five New Year Healthier Living Resolutions For Employees]]>https://www.forsitebenefits.com/blogs/post/five-new-year-healthier-living-resolutions-for-employees



We asked the Forsite Health & Wellness Center's Nurse Practitioner, Chelsi, for her New Year Healthier Living Resolutions. 

This list of achievable healthy habits considers the whole health picture: mind and body. For any individual seeking a healthier, happier new year, here are some simple resolutions to point you in the right direction.


1. Go for More Walks.

If you are not in the habit of frequent walks, start small! Tomorrow, get up and walk for 15 minutes. Gradually increase the number of days you walk and the length of your walks. To create some motivation in your walking endeavors, track your steps using a smart device such as a Fitbit or apple watch, or even your smart phone. 


An accountability partner is also a great way to stay motivated. Ask an office mate to commit to walking with you during the day, or a family member or pet to walk early in the morning or after work hours. 

 

2. Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables.

A diet including fruits and vegetables is so important for vitamin intake. being heart healthy and maintaining an ideal weight. It is recommended to include about 5 servings of fruit and vegetables into your diet each day. Think of one serving as about the size of your closed fist. You can increase your fruit and vegetable intake by making delicious smoothies, trying some new healthy recipes, or committing to fruit and vegetables as your snacks throughout the day and sides during meals. 


3. Drink More Water.

There are countless health benefits to proper water intake. These include, but are not limited to, increased energy, brain function, gut health, and weight control. What is proper water intake? The current standard is 8 glasses a day, but everyone is different! Listen to your body, and drink more if you feel you need it. It takes approximately 14 days of proper hydration to feel the benefits, so keep it up!

 

4. Be Mindful of Your Mental Health.

If you find yourself struggling in any facet of life, do not hesitate to find help. Counselors, crisis hotlines, and telehealth options are always available if you need assistance. 


Telehealth services rapidly increased in popularity in 2020, and conveniently include counseling and mental health services. Telehealth platforms operate like video call platforms many of us are comfortable using today. This service is user-friendly, often less costly than a regular visit to the doctor's office, and allows you or your dependents, such as your children, to see a professional from the comfort of your own home.


Find your provider here to learn more about Telehealth services offered to you.


5. Schedule Your Annual Physical.

Your annual visit with your preferred, in-network physician is covered through your company-sponsored insurance plan. Aside from this routine, preventative care, meeting with your physician once a year helps establish a relationship and trust for if a more pressing health issue arises.


Hesitant to schedule your annual physical? Many worry if their simple preventative visit will result in a surprise bill in the mail. To reduce this worry, here is a quick read about the difference between preventative services and diagnostic services, and some steps you can take to ensure your intended visit is covered under your plan.

Read An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.


 

Chelsi’s New Year Resolution:

“With COVID, I am no longer going to the YMCA to work out. I’m hoping to start a home workout program this year and get out for a walk at least once a week.” 


Download this free, printable newsletter for the office.

This Month's Nav Series Newsletter is a quick and easy read about gathering and organizing your benefit resources.




Did you enjoy this educational read? 

Here are some additional Nav Series Newsletter topics to Help Your Employees Better Navigate Today's Healthcare System:


]]>Wed, 20 Jan 2021 14:55:29 -0600