FirstPerson RSS Feed

August 2010 Newsletter

2010-08-10T00:00:00-04:00

September 2010 Newsletter

2010-09-14T00:00:00-04:00

October 2010 Newsletter

2010-10-12T00:00:00-04:00

FirstPerson Named a 2010 Best Places to Work

2010-07-02T00:00:00-04:00

FirstPerson (formerly Benefit Associates | Benefit Consultants) is named one of the 2010 Best Places to Work in Indiana.

Don't Wait for Reform; Prepare for the Future Now

2010-05-27T00:00:00-04:00

Health care reform is coming - learn what you can do to prepare.

November 2010 Newsletter

2010-11-09T00:00:00-05:00

December 2010 Newsletter

2010-12-13T00:00:00-05:00

Five Big Ideas That Will Change Your Approach to Benefits

2010-06-30T00:00:00-04:00

Annual plan changes, double-digit increases, and an aging and unhealthy American population demand a new take on employee health care benefits.

Healthcare Consumerism - More Than Keeping Employees Healthy And Happy

2010-06-30T00:00:00-04:00

Find out why consumerism is the wave of the future in employee benefits.

January 2011 Newsletter

2011-01-11T00:00:00-05:00

February 2011 Newsletter

2011-02-08T00:00:00-05:00

Best Practices in HSA Acceptance, Adoption, and Success

2010-06-30T00:00:00-04:00

HSAs grow in popularity as premiums rise and money-saving health care options become crucial.

The Value of Increasing Investment in Employee Benefits During an Economic Downturn

2010-06-30T00:00:00-04:00

Believe it or not - investing in employee benefits during economic downturn improves more than just the health of your workforce.

March 2011 Newsletter

2011-03-08T00:00:00-05:00

April 2011 Newsletter

2011-04-12T00:00:00-04:00

Consumerism - It's on the Front Page

2010-06-29T00:00:00-04:00

As employers adopt consumer-driven plans, they're faced with obstacles in education that can lead to higher costs for their employees.

May 2011 Newsletter

2011-05-09T00:00:00-04:00

The HITECH Act

2010-01-01T00:00:00-05:00

Learn how the HITECH Act is shaping the way companies become HIPAA-compliant.

June 2011 Newsletter

2011-06-13T00:00:00-04:00

July 2011 Newsletter

2011-07-11T00:00:00-04:00

Balance Work and Care for Loved Ones

2010-02-01T00:00:00-05:00

Find out how the latest tool can help employees dealing with the care of senior loved ones.

Health Care Reform: Get the Big Picture

2010-06-07T00:00:00-04:00

Get a better grasp on Health Care Reform with an overview of emerging policies.

August 2011 Newsletter

2011-08-09T00:00:00-04:00

September 2011 Newsletter

2011-09-13T00:00:00-04:00

Small Business Tax Credit: Worth the Hype?

2010-06-01T00:00:00-04:00

Find out if your small business will benefit from the Small Business Tax Credit.

FirstPerson Named an Indiana Company to Watch

2010-07-15T00:00:00-04:00

FirstPerson has been recognized as one of the 2010 Indiana Companies to Watch, an awards program presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, its Small Business Development Center network, Purdue University and the Edward Lowe Foundation. Companies to Watch is an awards program that celebrates Indiana privately held second-stage companies, typically those businesses that are past the startup phase, are considered to be established, and face issues of growth, not survival.

October 2011 Newsletter

2011-10-11T00:00:00-04:00

November 2011 Newsletter

2011-11-07T00:00:00-05:00

HealthCare.gov Launched

2010-07-12T00:00:00-04:00

Learn more about HealthCare.gov, a site recently launched by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Grandfathering, Adult Children, and Wellness Provisions of Health Care Reform

2010-06-21T00:00:00-04:00

Learn more about grandfathering, dependent rulings, and wellness provisions included in health care reform.

December 2011 Newsletter

2011-12-12T00:00:00-05:00

Grandfathering - Everything You Need to Know

2010-06-14T00:00:00-04:00

Find out lingering details regarding grandfathering and what it might mean for your health plan.

Cost Projections of HCR

2010-05-24T00:00:00-04:00

We shed some light on the cost of health care reform and give you a way to test you knowledge with our quiz!

Health Savings Accounts and Taxation

2010-07-26T00:00:00-04:00

Educate your employees with adult children on the possible tax implications of using HSA dollars for their health care expenses.

Preventive Care Guidelines Released

2010-07-19T00:00:00-04:00

Learn how changes in preventive care guidelines can impact your business.

COBRA Subsidy Not Extended

2010-08-02T00:00:00-04:00

The COBRA premium subsidy has not been renewed - update your model notices and learn what it means to you.

W-2 Reporting Requirement Summary from NAHU

2010-08-05T00:00:00-04:00

Learn more about the new W-2 reporting requirements included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) from the National Association of Health Underwriters.

Prepare for Additional W-2 Reporting

2010-08-09T00:00:00-04:00

Get ready for additional W-2 reporting requirements from the IRS effective Janurary 1, 2011.

Fifth Third HSA Owners: Rate Increase

2010-08-06T00:00:00-04:00

If you use Fifth Third or allow your employes to choose their bank, find out about Fifth Third's new fees for Health Savings Accounts.

HSA Owners: Mellon Bank Fees Increasing

2010-08-06T00:00:00-04:00

Mellon Bank is raising its fees for paper statements. If you use Mellon Bank or allow your employees to choose their bank, find out how you can avoid the new fees.

New Discrimination Laws Part of Health Care Reform

2010-08-16T00:00:00-04:00

Will your plans pass the test? Learn more to find out.

Over-the-Counter Changes for your Flex Plan

2010-08-23T00:00:00-04:00

How will your flex plan be administered after January 1st? Learn about how OTC changes can impact your employees.

New Anthem.com Web Design

2010-08-19T00:00:00-04:00

Anthem.com has been reinvented - find out how to communicate this change to your employees.

Medical Loss Ratio Overview

2010-08-30T00:00:00-04:00

Will new medical loss ratio reporting affect your fully-insured plan? Find out what you need to know.

Model Notices from Anthem - Part of Health Care Reform

2010-09-02T00:00:00-04:00

DOL Offers Compliance Webcast Series

2010-09-03T00:00:00-04:00

Join the Department of Labor's webcasts on health care reform next week.

IRS Guidelines for OTC purchases and HCR website now available in Spanish

2010-09-12T00:00:00-04:00

Familiarize yourself with the newly-released IRS guidance regarding OTC drugs and the new website regarding HCR in Spanish.

CLASS Act Details

2010-09-20T00:00:00-04:00

Print out our simple comparison chart that explains the CLASS Act versus a standard Long Term Care policy to learn more about the differences.

Innoviant transitions to Prescription Solutions

2010-09-23T00:00:00-04:00

UMR's pharmacy benefit administrator is changing names!

PPACA Questions and Answers

2010-09-27T00:00:00-04:00

The Department of Labor released a set of FAQs regarding the PPACA - have you read them?

Changes within Principal Financial Group

2010-10-04T00:00:00-04:00

On September 30, 2010, Principal Financial Group announced that it is exiting the medical insurance business.

Onsite Health Strategy - The Next Generation of Wellness

2010-10-11T00:00:00-04:00

Are higher deductibles and more consumer driven health plans the only options employers have when it comes to mitigating their rising healthcare costs?

W-2 Reporting Requirement Pushed Back

2010-10-18T00:00:00-04:00

The IRS released updated guidance last week that employers have until 2012 to comply with new reporting requirements.

Incentives: Key to Your Health Strategy

2010-10-22T00:00:00-04:00

Check out our incentive best practices document, and learn how you can use incentives to best support your overall health strategy.

Changes Ahead for Anthem Participants

2010-10-22T00:00:00-04:00

Your employees might have disruption with Lumenos and Express Scripts - learn more about questions you might be getting.

Medicare Part D Explained

2010-10-25T00:00:00-04:00

Medicare enrollees need to know if their health plan is creditable or non-creditable - do you know when that happens for your group?

IRS Releases 2011 Limits

2010-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

Have you seen the new IRS limits? Read about them to find our if your plans are affected.

HCR After the Election

2010-11-08T00:00:00-05:00

How will the recent election affect health care reform for employers?

Health Care Reform: An Opportunity You Might be Missing

2010-11-08T00:00:00-05:00

Most employers can agree that health care reform has posed some challenges, but its also created a valuable opportunity - and some employers are missing out.

Elections and Health Care Reform: Is anything changing?

2010-11-08T00:00:00-05:00

In the campaigns leading up to the recent elections, it seemed changes to health care reform were on the way, but in actuality, it’s unlikely that much will change in the next two years, at least on a federal level.

Medicare Premiums and High Income Earners

2010-11-15T00:00:00-05:00

New Medicare Part D rates recently came out - including higher rates for those with incomes above $85,000.

Grandfathering Rules Amended

2010-11-22T00:00:00-05:00

Will new grandfathering rules affect your company?

Health Care Reform Explained in Only 10 Minutes

2010-11-29T00:00:00-05:00

Check out this fun video from the Kaiser Family Foundation that explains health care reform.

Anthem and Suburban Health Organization (SHO) Network Update

2010-12-03T00:00:00-05:00

Could the potential termination of a contract between Anthem and SHO affect your employees?

W2 Reminder Regarding HSAs

2010-12-08T00:00:00-05:00

Are you prepared for your company's tax filings regarding HSAs?

Important Anthem Member Updates

2010-12-08T00:00:00-05:00

Anthem and SHO reach an agreement and details on Anthem's new member service.

What about you? Getting Back to Basics

2010-12-13T00:00:00-05:00

Take a moment to evaluate the "you" factor in your business.

Four Page Summary of Benefits

2010-12-13T00:00:00-05:00

Do you know when your company will have to comply with the new four page summary of benefits requirement?

M&I to be acquired by parent company of Harris Bank

2010-12-22T00:00:00-05:00

M&I Bank will be acquired by parent company of Harris Bank sometime in July, 2011.

End of Year Compliance Reminders

2010-12-29T00:00:00-05:00

The end of 2010 brings compliance requirements - do you know what's required for your company?

Anthem Updates - Paper EOBs and Enhanced EAP Offerings

2011-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

Anthem is making some changse to their paper EOB process and EAP offerings - read more to find out how they affect your company.

Update Regarding OTC Meds and Prescriptions

2011-01-10T00:00:00-05:00

Find out now new IRS guidance governs Flexible Spending Account (FSA) administration for your workplace.

Making Time for Reflection

2011-01-10T00:00:00-05:00

January is the time of year we reflect on our wins and losses from the prior year and look forward to the new year ahead.

2010 HSA Tax Reporting Guidance for Employees

2011-01-27T00:00:00-05:00

Check out the guidance we've put together for you and your employees on how to report your HSA on your taxes this year!

We're "Difference-Makers"

2011-02-08T00:00:00-05:00

Find out how we're transforming our industry.

Anthem Imaging Shopper Results and Address Corrections

2011-02-18T00:00:00-05:00

Anthem has some updates that will impact your employees - get details here.

FirstPerson on Best Places to Work List

2011-02-22T00:00:00-05:00

We're on the list of Best Places to Work in Indiana - for the second year in a row!

Helping Clients Reach their Goals

2011-02-25T00:00:00-05:00

Hear what one of our newest clients is saying about FirstPerson.

Is Your Health Plan Leveraged?

2011-03-08T00:00:00-05:00

Learn how a simple financial formula could give you a new perspective on your small business health plan.

Lactation Expenses Are Now Medical Expenses

2011-03-24T00:00:00-04:00

Expenses incurred for breast pumps and other devices that assist lactation are now considered an eligible medical expense by the IRS - find out what you need to know to assist your employees.

Healthy Employees - A Competitive Advantage

2011-04-11T00:00:00-04:00

Find out how Mark Sherman predicts employers to respond to the HCR legislation changes coming due in 2014.

1099 Bill Repealed

2011-04-18T00:00:00-04:00

The much-debated 1099 bill has been repealed - learn more about what it means for your firm.

Free Choice Voucher Provision Repealed

2011-04-20T00:00:00-04:00

Another provision of PPACA has been eliminated - learn what it means for your company.

FirstPerson Named #14 on Best Places to Work List

2011-05-05T00:00:00-04:00

We've been named a Best Place to Work for the second year in a row - find out who else was on the list.

Self-Funded: To Be or Not To Be?

2011-05-08T00:00:00-04:00

Find out if self-funding is right for your business - you may be surprised.

Indiana Passes Senate Bill 461 Impacting Your Health Plan

2011-05-12T00:00:00-04:00

Does Indiana SB 461 mean anything for your employees?

Benefit Associates earns national “Well Workplace” title

2009-08-31T00:00:00-04:00

Benefits advisor is only Indiana firm on Wellness Council of America list.

IRS Updates HSA Limits for 2012

2011-05-17T00:00:00-04:00

The IRS just released 2012 annual contribution limits for HSAs.

How Does Your Executive Benefit Platform Measure Up?

2011-06-12T00:00:00-04:00

Find out how you can evaluate your executive offering and meet your goals.

FirstPerson Partners with Special Olympics Indiana

2011-06-30T00:00:00-04:00

FirstPerson is the first gold sponsor for the Special Olympics Extreme Triple Challenge.

Building a Health Strategy

2011-07-10T00:00:00-04:00

Bryan shares the importance of a solid health strategy, and the building blocks for getting there.

Indiana Exchanges- Learn About Them Today

2011-07-21T00:00:00-04:00

The Indiana Exchanges are coming - learn about what that means for you as an employer.

2011 SHRM Employee Benefits Report

2011-07-28T00:00:00-04:00

SHRM just released their latest employee benefit survey data - how does your company compare?

New Preventive Guidelines for Women

2011-08-02T00:00:00-04:00

The Department of Health and Human Services just issued new guidelines that will affect your health plan.

Staying Ahead of Renewal Season

2011-08-07T00:00:00-04:00

Renewal and open enrollment season are similar to holidays – they happen every year at the same time, so they should never be a surprise!

New Generation of Advocacy

2011-08-07T00:00:00-04:00

As we move into the health care reform era, we see a shift in how third party administrator (TPA) services are delivered to customers.

Testing Out Our New Functionality

2011-08-09T00:00:00-04:00

Testing Out Our New Functionality

How Healthy is Your County?

2010-03-01T00:00:00-05:00

Find out how your county ranks based on several important health factors.

Demanding Results for Wellness

2010-04-01T00:00:00-04:00

Is your wellness program producing results? Find out how to demonstrate your return on investment.

Best Strategies for Health Engagement

2010-05-01T00:00:00-04:00

Picking a wellness program is the easy part; engaging employees requires strategic effort.

Recession Deepens Benefit Appreciation

2010-06-01T00:00:00-04:00

Find out how the recession has reshaped employee views on benefits.

FirstPerson CEO Makes Who's Who in Health Care and Benefits List

2011-09-07T00:00:00-04:00

CEO Bryan Brenner is the youngest leader named to the IBJ's annual 'Who's Who' list.

Flu Shot Toolkit

2011-09-09T00:00:00-04:00

Flu season is upon us - are you prepared?

Working with Vendors

2011-09-10T00:00:00-04:00

Vendor relationships can be especially rewarding if you know how to choose the right fit. Here are some quick tips!

Employers Seek Health Care Alternatives

2011-09-13T00:00:00-04:00

FirstPerson partnered with Nyhart to compile Indiana employer benefit data. The results are in - see how your plan compares.

Cornering cost sources: How employers save on health benefits

2011-09-30T00:00:00-04:00

Advisor Mark Sherman was interviewed by Benefits Pro for a story on the rising cost of health care for employers.

Wellness Tax Credit Ending

2011-10-03T00:00:00-04:00

The wellness tax credit for small employers in Indiana is set to end in 2011.

New Employee Tools Coming Soon!

2011-10-05T00:00:00-04:00

Learn about the new features of GO LIVE SMART© – an exciting employee communication platform focused on helping employees live smart!

Common HSA Myths Busted

2011-10-09T00:00:00-04:00

Through continuous education we can change the perception of Consumer Driven Health Plans and Health Savings Accounts. Check out these myths...

The Business of Health

2011-10-17T00:00:00-04:00

Advisor Paul Ashley was recently on Inside Indiana Business.

FirstPerson CEO Named to 'Best and Brightest' List

2011-10-14T00:00:00-04:00

CEO Bryan Brenner was recently one of the 'Best and Brightest' in Indianapolis.

Introducing Our New Video Series

2011-10-19T00:00:00-04:00

FirstPerson is rolling out a new video series - learn about why it's important to us from our CEO.

Why do so many of you have mustaches?

2011-11-01T00:00:00-04:00

Today's the first day of Movember - learn more about what we're doing through the month of November.

FirstPerson CEO Named Rising Star

2011-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

FirstPerson CEO Bryan Brenner was named one of the 10 "Rising Stars in Advising" who are making a name for themselves.

2012 Health Care Benefits

2011-10-22T00:00:00-04:00

Executive Director Bridget Scott gives the Indy Star tips on navigating this year's open enrollment.

A Culture of Giving Back

2011-11-06T00:00:00-04:00

A culture of giving back benefits our community and our business. It’s who we are and it’s what we do.

More small employers pick up disability coverage

2011-11-10T00:00:00-05:00

CEO Bryan Brenner weighs in on trends in the disability marketplace.

Waistlines and Bottom Lines: Wellness During the Holidays

2011-11-23T00:00:00-05:00

CEO Bryan Brenner writes his thoughts about the upcoming holiday season and the research behind wellness programs.

W-2 Updates- Year End Guidance and 2012 Planning

2011-12-14T00:00:00-05:00

It's nearing the end of December - time to think about compliance.

Employees Motivated by More than Just Salary

2011-12-28T00:00:00-05:00

Advisor Scott Thompson was recently interviewed by BenefitsPro about what employers are doing to motivate employees beyond just a paycheck.

Keeping the Costs Down

2012-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

Bridget Scott, Executive Director of Marketing and Product Development, recently participated in a roundtable discussion for the Indiana Chamber that had some interesting findings.

2011 HSA Reporting Guidance for Employees

2012-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

Tax time is almost here - do your employees know how their Health Savings Account will impact their tax liability?

Create a Retirement Savings Strategy Using a Health Savings Account

2012-01-06T00:00:00-05:00

Brittany Rhea Luebke was recently published in the Journal of Financial Service Professionals.

Exec gives a 'First Person' account of how to achieve success with employee communication

2012-01-12T00:00:00-05:00

CEO Bryan Brenner was recently interviewed by Employee Benefit News

Top 5 Benefit Trends

2012-01-13T00:00:00-05:00

The insurance marketplace is constantly changing. View our prediction for the biggest trends in 2012.

Reporting Group Health Plan Costs on Form W-2

2012-02-03T00:00:00-05:00

The IRS recently issued Notice 2012-9 which supersedes and replaces previous guidance with a modified and expanded explanation of PPACA's W-2 reporting mandate.