Voluntary Advantage

Attn: Brokers & Consultants ?? EXTENDED to April 11th ? Everyone that completes the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $500 GIFTCARD! Voluntary Advantage is partnering with Eastbridge Consulting Group to produce the industry’s most comprehensive annual study of broker best practices, preferences and challenges and we want to hear from you!! ?? Share your perspective on key topics and market trends of the voluntary/worksite industry in a quick 15-minute online survey. Brokers who participate in the survey will also have access to an exclusive webinar that highlights key topics from the survey results! This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and make an impact on our industry. CLICK HERE: https://lnkd.in/gzRUF_hh - to share your thoughts! #thoughtleadership #insurance #insuranceindustry #benefitsbroker #benefitsconsultant #insights #knowledge #survey

Long-Term Care (LTC) is becoming a major financial and caregiving challenge as Baby Boomers age and Gen Xers navigate supporting both parents and children. Many employees are unprepared, assuming Medicare will cover expenses, however Steve Cain from LTCI Partners explains how employers have a unique opportunity to close the benefits gap by offering Worksite LTC Insurance—providing employees with accessible, affordable coverage for the future. The time is now to plan for your future. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gjZSqfG2 #EmployeeBenefits #VoluntaryBenefits #LongTermCare #LTCInsurance #Caregiving #FuturePlanning #AgingPopulation #FinancialWellness #WorkplaceBenefits #HealthcareCosts #ElderCare #InsuranceSolutions #Medicare #GenX #Boomers

The benefits industry is governed by both state and federal laws, along with oversight from state insurance departments. While legislation is beneficial—protecting individuals from bad actors and ensuring the industry operates efficiently—regulations can also have unintended negative consequences. In this month's Voices of Voluntary Benefits article, we asked: Where do you think the state or federal government should play a greater role in regulating the employee benefits and insurance industry? Here is what Alden Bianchi, Counsel with McDermott Will & Emery LLP had to say: "There are three, basic questions confronting Federal policy makers as they consider the regulation of voluntary benefits: ?? First: What role(s) or purpose(s) of voluntary benefits should the government encourage or discourage? The term “voluntary benefits” can encompass wide variety of products, such as hospital and fixed indemnity and disease specific coverage, disability insurance, accident insurance, and more. It is however hospital and fixed indemnity coverage that gets the most attention, and it is with respect to this coverage that there appear to be two camps. One camp sees hospital and fixed indemnity as “junk” insurance and the other that it as filling an important need, particularly as group health plan cost sharing keeps rising. The market, it appears, has sided with the latter. Folks see value. But even if it fulfills an important need, hospital and fixed indemnity coverage has been pressed into the service of some patently abusive tax schemes. It behooves the government to support the legitimate use of this coverage and discourage its abuse. ?? Second: Does do current laws and regulations align with these purposes? Clearly not. The tax rules are muddled beyond recognition. It is not always clear whether hospital and fixed indemnity coverage is a wage replacement benefit or a medical benefit? It makes a difference. The better view is that it is and should be taxed as a wage replacement benefit, which mean applying the tax rules that govern disability insurance. This approach would logically rule out certain of the abusive schemes that rely on and leverage the more favorable tax rules that apply to medical benefits. (Here, I have in mind the so-called “double dipping schemes that purport to save on payroll taxes.) ?? Third: If not, what needs to change. The IRS, in a proposed 2023 regulation, suggested an approach that clarify the tax rules in a way that would cut back on some of the tax benefits of voluntary benefit coverage. While the rules discourage abuses, the insurance industry opposed them, and in the current political environment, these rules are going nowhere. The IRS should however revisit that payroll tax rules, since this is the source of much of the abuse." #insurance #insuranceindustry #voluntarybenefits #employeebenefits #legislation #compliance #regulation #supplementalhealth

The PFML landscape is evolving—are you ready? Learn from Tara Athy and Annie Jantz from Lincoln Financial as they explain how more states are expanding Paid Family & Medical Leave with higher benefits and new qualifying leave reasons. What's also mentioned are the upcoming programs in Delaware, Maine, Maryland, and Minnesota, which are exemplify these changes in the upcoming year. As compliance becomes more complex, more employers are outsourcing leave management to stay ahead. Is your company prepared? Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gquY8xbc #EmployeeBenefits #VoluntaryBenefits #PFML #HR #EmployeeBenefits #Compliance #PaidLeave #Insurance #HRUpdates?#WorkplaceWellness #LeaveManagement #ComplianceMatters #FutureOfWork #HRCompliance #EmployerResponsibilities #BenefitsConsultant

In both basketball and insurance, success comes down to strategy, teamwork, and the ability to pivot under pressure. Every client interaction, every case written, and every claim handled is a chance to make a game-changing impact. Like a championship team, we: ? Prepare for every scenario– anticipating risks before they happen ? Adapt to challenges– finding solutions for our clients when they need us most ? Play the long game– building trust and lasting relationships Enjoy March Madness and best of luck in your brackets… Game on! ?? #MarchMadness #InsuranceWins #GamePlanForSuccess #ProtectWhatMatters #Insurance #InsuranceIndustry

In this month's Voices of Voluntary Benefits article, we asked: Where do you think the state or federal government should play a greater role in regulating the employee benefits and insurance industry? Here is what Jessica Brooks Woods CEO, MPM, PHR, CEO of NABIP had to say... "NABIP strongly supports a regulatory environment that ensures consumer access to high-quality, affordable healthcare coverage while preserving market stability. We believe the state and federal government can play a key role in the following areas, guided by the principles outlined in NABIP's Healthcare Bill of Rights, which advocates for choice, affordability, and access to trusted advisors: ?? Protecting Consumer Choice & Access to Agents – Government policies should ensure that consumers whether you are an individual, senior, employee, or employer—can work with licensed health insurance professionals who help them navigate complex coverage options and maximize their benefits. ?? Ensuring Transparency & Fair Competition – Regulators should hold all industry stakeholders including insurance carriers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and third-party administrators to the same level of transparency and accountability. This promotes cost efficiency, prevents hidden fees, and ensures that consumers and employers have clear, accurate information about their coverage. ?? Preserving Access to Employer-Sponsored Coverage – More than 150 million Americans rely on employer-sponsored health insurance, and it remains a crucial pillar of our healthcare system. Regulatory policies should support this market by encouraging flexibility and innovation in benefit design, including expanding the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), and other tools that empower employers and employees to find the best coverage solutions. ?? Stabilizing the Market Through Thoughtful Regulation – While oversight is necessary, overly burdensome regulations can disrupt access to affordable coverage. NABIP advocates for policies that foster stability in the Medicare, employer-sponsored and individual health insurance markets, ensuring that consumers continue to have affordable and sustainable healthcare choices. NABIP remains committed to advocating for policies that uphold consumer access, market stability, and the critical role of health insurance professionals. By working collaboratively with state and federal policymakers, we can ensure a regulatory environment that prioritizes choice, transparency, and affordability, ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes for individuals, families, and businesses across the country." #insurance #insuranceindustry

What will you find in the March ?? edition of the Voluntary Benefits Voice publication? ?? Nick Rockwell and Danielle Lehman from Eastbridge Consulting Group talk about the importance of better billing processes ?? PES Benefits breaks down the Mental Health Parity Act ?? Tara Athy and Annie Jantz with Lincoln Financial Talk about the Evolving PFML Landscape and what to expect in 2025 ?? Alden Bianchi, John R. Locy, and Jessica Brooks Woods CEO, MPM, PHR with NABIP share their insights in the newest Voices of Voluntary Benefits article on where they?think the state or federal government should play a greater role in regulating the employee benefits and insurance industry ?? Steve Cain with LTCI Partners shares what you should know about Worksite LTCI insurance ?? And Steve Clabaugh talks about how to have championship team behavior discussions! Don't miss out—stay informed, stay inspired! #VoluntaryBenefits #EmployeeBenefits #Benefits #WorkplaceBenefits #Insurance #InsuranceIndustry #LTCI #LTC #BenefitsBroker #BenefitsConsultant #Leadership #BenefitsAdministration #MentalWellbeing #MentalHealthParityAct #Compliance #PFML #AbsenceManagement #Disability #ShortTermDisability #Legislation #Regulation

Attn: Brokers & Consultants TIME IS RUNNING OUT ? Voluntary Advantage is partnering with Eastbridge Consulting Group to produce the industry’s most comprehensive annual study of broker best practices, preferences and challenges and we want to hear from you!! ?? Share your perspective on key topics and market trends of the voluntary/worksite industry in a quick 15-minute online survey. Brokers who participate in the survey will have access to an exclusive webinar that highlights key topics from the survey results! This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and make an impact on our industry. CLICK HERE: https://lnkd.in/gzRUF_hh - to share your thoughts! Jennifer Daniel Jack D. Holder Paul Hummel Seif Saghri Tim Schnoor Mark Rosenthal Hunter Sexton, JD, MHA Rachel McCarter Nick Rockwell Danielle Lehman Heather Garbers Trevor Garbers, M.S., REBC? NABIP #thoughtleadership #insurance #insuranceindustry #benefitsbroker #benefitsconsultant #insights #knowledge #survey

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ?? Today, we celebrate luck, laughter, and the spirit of Ireland! Whether you're wearing green, enjoying festive traditions, or simply embracing the joy of the day, may your heart be light and your blessings plenty. We hope your day is filled with opportunities, your efforts bring great rewards, and your team continue to thrive. Here’s to growth, good fortune, and a bright future ahead! ??? #StPatricksDay #LuckAndLeadership #GrowthAndOpportunity #LuckOfTheIrish #FeelingLucky

Every policy written, every claim processed, every conversation with a client—it all matters. Insurance isn't just about numbers and contracts; it's about people, trust, and security. We have the privilege of being there for individuals, families, and businesses in their most critical moments. We turn uncertainty into confidence, setbacks into comebacks, and risks into opportunities. If you're in this industry, remember: you are a guardian of peace of mind, a builder of resilience, and a catalyst for stability. The work you do today shapes a safer tomorrow. Let’s continue to innovate, serve with empathy, and inspire trust. Because what we do isn’t just insurance—it’s impact. #InsuranceIndustry #Motivation #Inspiration #ProtectingFutures #inspirationfriday