by admin | Apr 7, 2026 | Custom Content, Health Insurance
Navigating the healthcare system is rarely a straight line. Between deciphering insurance jargon and choosing the right doctor, the decisions you make have a direct impact on your physical health and your bank account. As healthcare costs continue to rise—ranking as a top economic concern for two-thirds of Americans—personal health literacy has become an essential survival skill. It isn’t about having a medical degree; it’s about having the practical “know-how” to find, understand, and actually use health information to your advantage.
The Four Levels of Health Literacy
- Proficient: Can navigate complex systems, follow intricate treatment plans, and choose the most effective care.
- Intermediate: Can handle moderately complex documents and draw reasonable conclusions.
- Basic: Can manage simple tasks (like reading a brochure) but struggles with complex insurance or medical concepts.
- Below Basic: Struggles to navigate the healthcare environment beyond simple hospital forms.
How Health Literacy Saves You Money
- Choosing the Right Setting: Why pay ER prices for a minor flu? Literacy helps you distinguish when to use Telehealth or Urgent Care versus the Emergency Room.
- Mastering the Network: Avoiding “out-of-network” surprises by proactively verifying provider status before you show up for an appointment.
- Decoding the Jargon: Understanding basic terms like deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums so you can predict expenses and optimize your coverage.
- Managing Medications: Knowing how to ask for generics or 90-day supplies, and understanding instructions to avoid costly complications or repeat visits.
- Using Preventive Care: Many plans offer vaccinations and screenings at no cost. High health literacy ensures you use these benefits to catch issues before they become expensive emergencies.
- Maximizing Tax Savings: Effectively using HSAs and FSAs to pay for medical needs with pre-tax dollars.
- Effective Communication: Asking the right questions during a doctor’s visit to avoid unnecessary tests or duplicate referrals.
The 2-Minute Health Literacy Challenge
Test your “Health IQ” and see if you’re ready to save in 2026!
- You have a $1,500 deductible…
A) $0
B) $500
C) $1,000
- Which account rolls over?
A) FSA
B) HSA
C) Both
- Nasty cough, sore throat…
A) ER
B) Telehealth/Retail Clinic
C) Specialist
- True or False: In-Network means discounted rates.
A) True
B) False
- Non-life-threatening injury on Saturday…
A) Urgent Care
B) Telehealth
C) ER
- Tier 3 drug cost…
A) Cheap generic
B) Expensive brand/non-preferred
C) Not covered
Check Your Answers
- C ($1,000). Since you haven’t hit your $1,500 deductible yet, you are responsible for the full cost of the procedure until that “starting line” is met.
- B (HSA). HSAs are yours for life. FSAs are generally “use-it-or-lose-it” by the end of the year.
- B (Telehealth/Retail Clinic). For non-emergencies, these settings are significantly cheaper and faster than the ER.
- A (True). Staying in-network is the easiest way to avoid “surprise bills” and high coinsurance rates.
- C. The ER is designed for life-or-death situations. Because it is staffed 24/7 with specialists, the “base price” just to walk through the door is often 5x–10x higher than an Urgent Care or Telehealth visit.
- B. Formularies are usually tiered 1 through 4. Tier 1 is the cheapest (generics), while Tier 3 and 4 are the most expensive (specialty/brands). Knowing your tiers helps you ask for a “Tier 1 alternative.”
by admin | Apr 1, 2026 | HR, Human Resources
Most employers follow standard payroll schedules—monthly, weekly, semi-monthly, or biweekly—with biweekly cycles being the most common. Nearly half of organizations pay employees every other week.
In 2026, however, employers using a biweekly schedule may encounter an unusual twist. Because New Year’s Day in 2027 falls on a federal holiday, companies that typically issue Friday paychecks may need to move that payday earlier. This shift places the final paycheck on Thursday, December 31, 2026—potentially resulting in 27 pay periods instead of the usual 26.
This extra pay cycle doesn’t happen often—typically less than once a decade—due to the mismatch between the 365-day calendar year, leap years, and a 14-day pay schedule.
What This Means for Payroll
An additional pay period can create complications, especially for salaried employees who receive a fixed amount per paycheck. Employers generally take one of two approaches:
- Adjust salaries by dividing annual pay across 27 periods instead of 26
- Maintain current pay rates and issue an additional paycheck, increasing total compensation by about 3.85%
In most cases, benefit deductions (like health insurance) are still spread across the first 26 paychecks.
However, the extra cycle can introduce compliance and administrative challenges, including:
- Wage and hour law compliance under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Proper handling of salaried employee pay structures
- Required employee notifications
- Accurate tax withholding
- Budget forecasting and payroll accuracy
- Benefits and contribution limits
Key Takeaway
The additional payroll cycle in 2026 may seem minor, but it carries meaningful implications for budgeting, compliance, and employee pay. Employers should review their payroll strategy early and consult legal or payroll professionals to ensure they remain compliant and prepared.
by admin | Mar 24, 2026 | Human Resources
As we move through 2026, the workforce is sending a clear message: Stability is the new priority.
New research from the Adecco Group
shows that employees are putting a premium on job security, fair pay, and long-term stability—much more than chasing the next opportunity.
Many have embraced “job hugging”,
choosing to stay where they are rather than jump for a slightly bigger paycheck.
The Great Stability: Why Employees Are Staying Put
Specifically, employees say they stay in their jobs because:
- They’re happy with their work-life balance.
- They like the company culture.
- They’re satisfied with their salary.
- They appreciate the flexibility in their current role.
- They value the upskilling and training they receive.
As the report notes, flexibility, fulfillment, and culture still matter—but they’re no longer enough on their own.
What Employees Value Most Now
Priorities have shifted in the last few years. With the pandemic largely behind us but the economy and society
still unsettled,
employees are sending a clear message.
With the results from the Addeco Group survey, they found that employees value:
-
Prioritize security over personal fulfillment.
Stable income and job security now outrank “purpose” as the top reasons people stay.
In an uncertain world, they need
stability at work.
-
Still want flexibility—but tailored to them.
Leaders often care more about where they work, while junior employees focus on when they work.
One-size-fits-all policies miss the mark.
-
Expect fair and transparent pay.
Blue-collar employees are more likely than white-collar workers to feel they’re paid fairly—but both groups want clarity and openness around compensation.
-
Want to grow where they are.
Many employees want internal mobility, but more than 60% of organizations struggle to move people into new roles.
There’s an opportunity to
build internal mobility
through better
skills gap analysis.
How Companies Can Lead in the Great Stability
Stability alone won’t keep people forever. Employees still need growth, purpose, and a healthy environment as their lives and careers evolve.
Here are four ways organizations can respond:
-
Invest in upskilling and internal mobility.
Many companies have people who could step into new roles, but lack the tools and visibility to make that happen.
At the same time, employees are increasingly taking development into their own hands, learning AI and building new skills on their own.
Companies that provide clear learning paths, targeted training, and internal job opportunities will hold onto their best talent rather than constantly hiring from outside.
-
Create an environment where employees thrive.
Most workers prefer employers committed to inclusion, well-being, sustainability, and purpose—but Adecco found satisfaction with those efforts is still low.
Organizations can stand out by offering real mental health support, visible DEI progress, and meaningful social responsibility,
then communicating those efforts clearly and consistently.
-
Personalize flexibility—think “when and how,” not just “where.”
Instead of generic hybrid or remote policies, give teams tools to shape their own work rhythms:
schedule flexibility, core hours, compressed weeks, or smart shift-swapping for frontline roles.
Let employees help design team norms—like meeting-free blocks and response-time expectations—and tie flexibility to clear performance outcomes.
-
Build a genuine “voice-to-action” loop.
Use short, frequent check-ins and listening sessions focused on what makes people want to stay—workload, manager support, recognition, flexibility, growth.
Then close the loop quickly with “you said, we did” updates so employees see tangible changes within weeks, not months.
The Great Stability isn’t about employees settling; it’s about employers rising to meet a new standard.
Organizations that pair security with fair pay, growth, and real listening will be the ones people choose to “hug” for the long haul.
by admin | Mar 17, 2026 | Uncategorized
If your company provides an employee benefit plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), you are likely obligated to file Form 5500. This annual report discloses key details about your organization’s benefit offerings, such as welfare benefit plans (including medical, dental, life, and disability coverage), retirement plans, fully insured plans, and self-funded plans. In this article, we break down the fundamentals of Form 5500—who must file, important deadlines, and the consequences of failing to comply.
Who Is Required to File Form 5500?
As a general rule, you must file Form 5500 if your plan had 100 or more participants at the beginning of the plan year. Additionally, any plan that holds its funds in a trust must file, even if it has fewer than 100 participants. However, there are exceptions: welfare plans with fewer than 100 participants that are either unfunded or insured (meaning they don’t hold assets in a trust) are usually exempt. This exemption also covers government entities and church plans. When determining the number of participants for Form 5500, you should count all eligible employees (whether they’ve joined or not), as well as retirees, former employees, and beneficiaries receiving benefits.
Filing Requirement: For non-exempt calendar year plans in 2026, electronic filing of Form 5500 (and attachments) via the DOL’s EFAST2 system is mandatory by July 31, 2026. Need more time? File Form 5558 for a possible extension until October 15, 2026. For more information on filing requirements, penalties and voluntary correction programs, employers can refer to the DOL’s guidance on Form 5500.
Important Note: Small welfare benefit plans (under 100 participants, unfunded or fully insured) might not need to file.
Late Filing? Consider DFVCP: If you’ve missed the deadline for Form 5500, the DOL’s Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program (DFVCP) could help you avoid bigger penalties by filing voluntarily. To qualify, filings must be completed before the Department of Labor (DOL) sends a written notice of noncompliance.
Penalties for 2026
- The DOL may issue penalties for missing or incomplete filings.
- Under ERISA, penalties can exceed $2,670 per day for each day a complete Form 5500 is not filed.
- Using the DFVCP can help reduce potential penalty amounts.
- Penalties may be waived if there is a reasonable cause for noncompliance.
Form 5500 isn’t just a formality – it’s a vital part of staying compliant and transparent. Understanding your filing responsibilities and planning ahead for audits can save you stress and money.
Quick Links
by admin | Mar 10, 2026 | ACA, Compliance
On January 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officially released the maximum cost-sharing limits for the 2027 plan year. These figures represent a significant 13.2% increase over the 2026 limits, marking a substantial shift in potential out-of-pocket expenses for plan participants.
2027 Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limits
For 2027, the maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing is:
- Self-Only Coverage: $12,000 (Up from $10,600 in 2026)
- Family Coverage: $24,000 (Up from $21,200 in 2026)
Employers must review their current plan designs to ensure they remain compliant with these updated Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates.
Understanding the Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OOPM)
The ACA requires most health plans to set an annual cap on total enrollee cost-sharing for Essential Health Benefits (EHBs). This limit is commonly known as the Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OOPM).
Scope of Coverage:
- Applicability: These limits apply to all non-grandfathered health plans, including self-insured, level-funded, and fully insured plans of all sizes.
- Included Costs: Deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance all count toward the limit. Premiums and spending for non-covered services are excluded.
- Essential Health Benefits: Limits apply to the 10 EHB categories, such as emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and maternity care. Plans are not required to apply the OOPM to non-EHB services.
- Network Status: Plans generally do not have to count out-of-network expenses toward the ACA’s cost-sharing limit.
The “Embedded” Individual Limit
Even within a family plan, the ACA’s self-only cost-sharing limit applies to each individual. This means that if a family plan has a total OOPM higher than the self-only limit ($12,000 for 2027), the plan must include an “embedded” individual OOPM.
Once any single individual in a family reaches the $12,000 threshold, the plan must cover 100% of their qualified expenses for the rest of the year, even if the total family limit has not yet been met.
HSA-Compatible High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs)
It is important to note that HDHPs compatible with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are subject to lower out-of-pocket limits set by the IRS.
While the 2027 HDHP limits have not yet been released, for comparison, the 2026 HDHP limits are capped at $8,500 for self-only and $17,000 for family coverage. Employers with HSA-qualified plans should watch for separate IRS guidance later this year.
Next Steps for Employers:
- Audit 2027 plan designs for compliance with the $12,000/$24,000 thresholds.
- Ensure payroll and benefits systems are updated to handle the embedded individual maximums.
- Consult with your benefits advisor to prepare for the upcoming open enrollment cycle.
