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• 10 Seemingly Innocent Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore: Too often, patients brush off seemingly benign symptoms that could signal something serious. If any of these 10 issues strike you, don’t wait until it’s too late to seek medical attention:
• 10 Tips For "Healthy Aging Month" this September: The highest levels of anxiety and depression have been reported since the pandemic began.
• 10 Ways To Stay Social During Social Distancing: To limit the spread of COVID-19, we all have to do our part and stay connected to protect mental and physical health.
• 15 Ways to Be An Awesome Manager: While great leadership mostly consists of simple things, many leaders forget about implementing them.
• 3 Ways to Boost Your Heart Health: Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.
• 3 Ways To Position Your Small Business Benefits Offering For Success In 2023: If you’re like many small business CEOs, you’re probably thinking that despite some ongoing market volatility, your growth outlook is pretty good this year, and you may be considering additional hiring.
• 5 Alternatives to Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: When times get tough, it can be instinct to look for a coping mechanism.
• 5 Health Tips for Spring: Spring officially begins in late March, and this can be a great time to create new healthy habits.
• 5 HSA FAQS brokers can help HR answer: As health savings accounts grow in popularity, this is an opportunity for brokers.
• 5 Keys To Shopping for Health Care: As you look to take control of your health care and spending habits, you should get acquainted with the concept of shopping around for health care services.
• 5 Tips for Managing Anxiety: Nearly 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety—persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening—according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
• 5 Tips For Maximizing Your Benefits During Open Enrollment: Open enrollment season is underway for most employees and it is important to carefully review your workplace health-care plan during this period to get what you need in a cost-effective way.
• 5 Tips To Boost Your Daily Mental Health: Mental Health Awareness Month, observed every May, is a time to raise awareness, break the stigma about mental health, and support people with mental illness.
• 5 Ways to Beat Work-From Home Burnout: If you’re working remotely and feeling burned out, you’re not alone.
• 5 Ways To Improve Your Employee Communications Experience: With the unemployment rate at a fifty-year low, top job candidates can be extra picky about who they work for.
• 5 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health: Mental health plays a huge role in your overall health and well-being.
• 6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Health Plan: Health insurance may be one of the most critical annual purchases since it impacts your physical, mental, and financial wellness.
• 6 Ways To Use Life Insurance: Most people may not realize that life insurance can provide benefits well beyond paying for funeral expenses.
• 7 Long-Term Care Insurance Shopping Tips for Women: How can women ensure they’ll receive the coverage they need at a price point that works for them?
• 7 Tips for Avoiding Medical Debt: Many individuals struggle to pay medical bills even when they have health insurance.
• A Family Matter: Teaching your children healthy behaviors can be challenging, and it takes the effort of the entire family to help your children maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• About: Serving Michigan businesses and families since 2001.
• Adjusting to a Post-pandemic Life: Last year, mental health experts warned about “pandemic fatigue” as people were tired of staying at home and wanted to be social.
• Are You Asking Questions About ACA 1095s?: Form 1095 is a collection of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax forms in the United States which are used to determine whether an individual is required to pay the individual shared responsibility provision.
• Basic Introduction to Medicare: Medicare is the national health insurance program to which all Social Security recipients who are either over 65 years of age or permanently disabled are eligible.
• Be Prepared: Medical Expenses in Retirement: You may think that you don't need to worry about health care costs after you turn 65 and are eligible for Medicare.
• Before You Turn 65, 10 Things To Know About Medicare: Annoying. Difficult. Frustrating. For anyone who has applied to Medicare, these are the typical words that come to mind when describing the application process.
• Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2023: On April 28, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) filed its final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2023.
• Benefits Offerings to Avoid the Great Resignation: Employees are walking away from their employers in record numbers; some are calling it the “Great Resignation.”
• Blog: Practical guidance for Michigan small businesses. Expert insights on health insurance, employee benefits, compliance, and more.
• Boost Your Immunity With Nutrition: This winter, cases of the common cold, the flu, RSV and COVID-19 are prevalent.
• Calculating Full-Time Equivalent Employees (FTEs): The calculation of full-time equivalent (FTE) is an employee's scheduled hours divided by the employer's hours for a full-time workweek.
• Can 4 Basic Truths Improve Your Leadership?: Whether you receive a W-2 or run your own business, leadership is important and an sought after skill.
• Can HSA Contributions Be Returned To Employers?: The IRS released an information letter clarifying that employers can recover contributions erroneously made to an employee’s Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Can Managing Your Tax Bill Reduce Your Medicare Costs?: There’s a reason why you shouldn’t pile all your cash into your 401(k): You’ll be paying hefty income taxes in retirement.
• Can Stress Affect Your Risk For Heart Disease?: We know that stress is a contributor to heart disease, the number one killer of Americans.
• CARES Act Might Help You Save A (Pre-Tax) Buck: The CARES Act is best known for those stimulus checks mailed to many Americans to provide some financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shuttered large parts of the U.S. economy.
• Catch Up With Your Friends At RCB & Associates, LLC: You may feel like you've been out of touch with some of your favorite service providers during Michigan's "stay at home" order.
• CDC to Vaccinated Americans: Travel Freely, but Stay Cautious: On Friday, April 2, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced relaxed travel recommendations for vaccinated Americans.
• Celebrate World No Tobacco Day: According to the American Lung Association, smoking kills over 480,000 people every year.
• Congress Extends Telehealth Relief for HDHPs: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA) extends the ability of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) to provide benefits for telehealth or other remote care services before plan deductibles have been met without jeopardizing health savings account (HSA) eligibility.
• Contact: We answer — often in minutes.
• Could You Qualify For A Special Enrollment Period?: The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) refers to a time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance.
• COVID-19 Relief Laws Require Paid Employee Leave: As part of the [Families First Coronavirus Response Act](http://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr6201/BILLS-116hr6201enr.pdf), two laws provide workers with paid leave for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Daylight Saving Time and Your Health: Most of the United States shifts between standard and daylight saving time (DST) each year to “save” natural light.
• Do I want Supplemental Health Insurance?: A supplemental health insurance plan is a health care plan that covers anything above and beyond the medical coverage of your current health insurance plan.
• Don’t Let Winter Derail Your Workout: If you find it harder to keep up with your workouts as the temperatures drop, you’re not alone.
• Eating Healthy Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive: Eating a well-balanced diet is a key component of living a long, healthy life.
• Employee Benefit Plan Limits for 2022: Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are periodically updated for inflation.
• Employee Benefit Plan Limits for 2024: Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are updated for inflation before the beginning of each calendar year.
• Employee Benefit Plan Limits Increase for 2023: Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are updated for inflation before the beginning of each calendar year.
• Employee Benefits: One trusted advisor for your whole benefits package.
• Employee Benefits Plan Limits for 2021: Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are periodically updated for inflation by the IRS.
• Employee Guide to the Major Types of Health Plans: You have many choices when it comes to selecting a health insurance plan, which can make the process feel overwhelming.
• Employer Mandate Penalties Will Increase for 2024: Applicable large employers (ALEs) that do not offer affordable, minimum-value health coverage to their full-time employees may be subject to increased penalties under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer mandate for 2024.
• Ergonomics For The Home Office: If I learned anything from having to work from home due to the pandemic, it's that it can be a pain in the neck.
• EXECUTIVE ORDER ON HEALTH COSTS TO AFFECT EMPLOYER HEALTH PLANS: President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at improving price and quality transparency in health care.
• Factors To Consider Before Launching A Business: Amid the “Great Resignation,” many people continue to relish the idea of being their own boss.
• Family Care-giving Is a Long-Term Job: The years add up quickly (or perhaps not, depending on one’s point of view) for parental and spousal caregivers, many of whom are in it for the long haul.
• FAQ: Straight answers about small-business benefits in Michigan.
• FDA Authorizes New At-home Rapid Test for COVID-19: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen test—the Flowflex COVID-19 Home Test from ACON Laboratories—to increase consumer access to testing during the pandemic.
• FSA extension into 2022? Let's make the most of it!: If your flexible spending account from last year extends into the new year, you’ve still got time to spend the money left in it wisely.
• Happy 20th Anniversary To Us!: Our 20th anniversary is a celebration of the trust-based relationships we’ve built with our customers, dedicated staff, and the communities we serve.
• Health Benefits of Owning a Pet: It’s no secret that older adults can benefit immensely from pet ownership.
• Health FSA Limit Will Increase for 2023: On Oct. 18, 2022, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2022-38 (Rev. Proc. 22-38) to announce various inflation-adjusted tax limits for 2023, including the limit on employees’ salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) offered under cafeteria plans.
• Healthcare Costs And Year-End Planning: The following highlights are some of the more important year-end-planning considerations regarding your healthcare.
• HHS Increases Civil Penalties for HIPAA Violations: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently published a final rule increasing the civil monetary penalties for violations of laws enforced by HHS, including the HIPAA privacy and security rules.
• HIPAA Guidance on Audio-only Telehealth: The Department of Health and Human Services issued guidance to help covered entities understand how they can use remote communication technologies for audio-only telehealth in compliance with the privacy and security rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Home: Fast answers, better benefits, and a long-term partner for Michigan small businesses — serving all 83 counties since 2001.
• How Does The American Rescue Plan Act Impact Employers?: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was signed into law on March 11, 2021.
• How Mentoring Boosts Mental Health: The month is marked to focus attention on the need for mentors, engaging individuals to mentor, and promoting the rapid growth of mentoring by recruiting organizations to engage their employees in mentoring.
• How Much Should You Put Into a Health Savings Account?: A Health Savings account is available only to those enrolled in a high-deductible health plan.
• How Prepared Are You for a Serious Health Event?: A medical emergency can happen at any time, and it is important that you are able to act quickly and effectively when it does.
• How To Design A Post-Coronavirus Office: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has changed many aspects of the current workplace, and soon, employers should begin planning for what their post-coronavirus office will look like.
• How to Prevent Common Desk-Related Injuries: Did you know spending hours at a desk can affect your muscle and bone structure?
• I’m Leaving My Job – And My Insurance, What Options Do I Have?: Q. I’m planning to leave my job to become self-employed in April. My insurance will end on April 30, but I have the option to take COBRA.
• Individuals & Families: Caring for your health is one of your most important responsibilities. We make it easier.
• IRS Allows HDHP to Cover Coronavirus Testing with Little or No Deductible: Many of the nation’s largest insurers have announced that they will be waiving the deductible or other cost-sharing for testing or other expenses related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”).
• Is Critical Illness Insurance For You?: Heart attack, stroke, cancer, and other illnesses can affect not only your health but also your bank account; medical expenses reportedly lead to more than half of all bankruptcies in the United States.
• It’s That Time of the Year Again: Flu Season: The flu vaccine is your best chance of preventing the illness, and it’s more important than ever this year.
• Jet Lag: New Approaches to an Old Problem: The symptoms are well-known: fatigue, insomnia, and poor concentration.
• Laughter May Be a Key in Fighting Workplace Stress: How often do you laugh at work? I mean, unabashed genuine belly laughter.
• Managing Work-Life Balance During Return to School: Working parents are a critical part of the U.S. workforce.
• Managing Workers' Medical Restrictions: The "Alphabet Soup" Of Statutes: Handling an employee’s medical or mental condition, especially one that requires a gap in working, is complicated and stressful for everyone involved, including the HR representative, well-meaning supervisors and the employee themselves.
• May is Mental Health Month: Mental Health Awareness Month, observed every May, is a time to raise awareness about mental health, break the stigma, and support people with mental illness.
• Medicare: An educational, consultative approach for your retirement years.
• Medicare 101: Medicare is health insurance for people who are age 65 or older, under 65 with certain disabilities, or any age with End-stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure).
• Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace: If you don’t have nor qualify for Medicare, the Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) can help you find coverage to fit your healthcare needs.
• Medicare Drug Coverage Changes for 2024 Open Enrollment: Medicare open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year, allowing enrollees to make changes to their coverage that can significantly affect their healthcare costs and options.
• Michigan Coverage | RCB & Associates: Licensed in Michigan — all 83 counties.
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Covid 19 Updates: Thank you RCB & Associates, LLC for being a valuable partner in our efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction: A study by the American Institute of Stress found that more than half (55%) of Americans feel stress daily.
• Navigating Open Enrollment: An open enrollment period is a window of time that happens once a year — typically in the fall — when you can sign up for health insurance, adjust your current plan or cancel your plan.
• Navigator Portal: Benefits technology most small-group brokers don’t offer.
• Not surprising: Freelancers struggle to save for retirement.: Despite the fact that the majority of freelance workers say they’re doing well, that doesn’t change the fact that factors unique to their positions make it difficult or impossible for them to save for retirement.
• November Is American Diabetes Month: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 37 million American adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know they have it.
• Offering Family-building Benefits: Offering family-building benefits can be an impactful way to support employees and their growing families.
• Open Enrollment for 2024 ACA health plans starts November 1, 2023: Open Enrollment starts November 1, 2023 — the first day to enroll, re-enroll, or change a 2023 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
• Opioids in the Workplace: Addiction to prescription painkillers, or opioids, is a national emergency.
• Paid Medical Leave Act Now Law in Michigan: The Paid Medical Leave Act, (PMLA), formerly known as the "Earned Sick Time Act," requires employers to pay eligible employees for earned medical leave time, which may be used for personal or family health needs.
• Practice Self-care: Maintaining your mental health is an essential component of overall good health.
• Protecting Your Vision: If your eyes feel healthy, it’s easy to assume they are healthy.
• Questions to Ask Your Doctor: The questions listed below are designed to help you maximize your health care dollars.
• Reducing Your Stress During American Heart Month: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
• Safety Tips for Exercising Outdoors: As we move into summer, many will want to exercise outdoors to stay active and get some fresh air.
• She Said YES! Is It Too Early To Buy Life Insurance?: If you’re newlyweds or planning to marry soon, shopping for life insurance is probably being edged out by more romantic purchases such as — well, just about anything a newly married couple typically buys.
• Speaking Of New Years' Resolutions....: A healthy lifestyle doesn’t guarantee a long life, but it will add life to your years.
• Staying Active at Home: Some people can develop an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle when working and living at home.
• The ABCs of Medicare: Learning about Medicare can feel like looking into a bowl of alphabet soup.
• The Case for Disability Insurance; 5 Easy Steps: Disability insurance can round out an employer’s health care offerings and provide valuable income protection for individuals in case they become sick or injured and are unable to work.
• The Difference Between Mental Health and Mental Illness: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national campaign designed to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
• The holidays may be the perfect time to discuss insurance needs: Not often discussed until too late, planning for life insurance and funeral costs is a wise thing to do.
• The Insurance Policies You Need After Retirement: Retirement is when everything changes.
• The Marketplace Is Proud To Partner With RCB & Associates, LLC!: Our team here at [RCB & Associates](http://www.rcbassociatesllc.com/) was pretty excited to get this letter!
• The Triple Tax Advantages Of Your HSA Plan: There’s a savings account with a potential advantage over your 401(k) plan — and it just might help you save on taxes.
• Think the great resignation is a passing fad?: Think again. According to a recent Gartner, Inc. press release, U.S. employee annual voluntary turnover is likely to jump nearly 20% this year.
• Time for a Health Care Directive and Power of Attorney: In your 20s and 30s, you’re focused on building your life. Your thoughts center around personal goals, repaying your student loans, starting a family, and maybe even traveling and seeing more of the world. But what about estate planning?
• Top employee stressors identified in study: Modern workers feel stressed out on the job, and the stress is taking a toll on their sleep, health, relationships, productivity and sense of well-being.
• Understanding Employees' Role In A Company's Success: What do most first-time entrepreneurs think is the key to success? A good idea.
• Understanding the Importance of Disability Insurance: One in 4 working adults will become disabled before reaching retirement age, according to data from the Social Security Administration.
• Understanding Trend and the Impact on Employer Health Plan Renewal Rates: Currently, healthcare costs in the United States are high and rising, outpacing inflation and wage increases.
• Utilizing Wearable Technology: Wearable technology isn’t a new feature. For years, personal gadgets such as smartwatches have been gaining popularity among people who want better insight into their health trends.
• Vacationing Employees Are Better Performers: If your employees aren’t up to snuff, productivity-wise, maybe it’s time for a vacation.
• Volunteering Can Boost Employee Fulfillment: You want to get ahead at work, so you work hard, build your relationship with your boss, and perform brilliantly.
• What Can Life Insurance Pay For?: Life insurance isn’t just for paying your final expenses. It’s a tax-free benefit that your beneficiaries can use for a variety of things, such as:
• What To Know About the Powdered Infant Formula Recall: If you use powdered infant formula, be aware certain Similac, Alimentum and EleCare products have been recalled and should not be used.
• What You Need To Know About Life Insurance: Term life insurance policies are designed to provide protection for your family in case of your death — but only for the term stated in the policy (for example, 20 or 30 years).
• What You Need To Know: Signing Up For Medicare: Medicare is the national health insurance program to which all Social Security recipients who are either over 65 years of age or permanently disabled are eligible.
• What You Should Know About Medicare Enrollment: Medicare is health care coverage for those age 65 and older.
• What You Should Know About Medicare Enrollment: Medicare is health care coverage for those age 65 and older.
• What’s the Gut-brain Connection?: Scientific research indicates that gut health may play a bigger role in overall well-being than many people realize.
• When Your Employee Discloses a Mental Health Condition: When one of your direct reports has the courage to talk with you about their mental health condition, how you respond is critical.
• Why RCB: We win on service, not price.
• You're Turning 65: A Must-Do Checklist: If you're about to turn age 65 (or know someone who is) it's time to consider some things that can greatly affect your finances and healthcare.