Author Archives: Karen Taylor Smith
SelectFlex Benefits for Small Groups of 3 or More Employees
Our SelectFlex Benefits plan for small businesses has been very popular for groups of three or more. We have also found that groups of less than three are best served by an Executive Benefits Plan and/or Healthcare Spending Account Plus plan (HSAP) (read more in our previous blog, “Can a (…) [Read Full Article]
Can I Have a Benefits Plan for One? [Video]
As a sole proprietor or incorporated individual, have you ever wondered if you could get a benefits plan just for yourself and your dependents? After all, benefits plans are fully tax-deductible business expenses, allowing you to pay for your medical and dental expenses in the most tax-effective way possible. Business (…) [Read Full Article]
Happy National Employee Benefits Day 2016!
From all of us at The Benefits Trust, happy National Employee Benefits Day! Organized by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), this event is intended to help employees and employers learn more about benefits plans and their overall health and wellness. This year’s theme is financial fitness – (…) [Read Full Article]
How Do You Transition to a Healthcare Spending Account?
A benefits plan is a promise between an employer and employee. However, employers may periodically change that promise, for a wide variety of reasons. Some of those reasons include achieving greater cost control, reducing future spending, improving flexibility, increasing employee choice, aligning benefits with compensation philosophy, or simply because they (…) [Read Full Article]
Access to Publicly Funded In Vitro Fertilization for Women under 43
A recent announcement in Ontario is good news for women under 43. Planned for the end of 2015, eligible Ontario women under 43 may have access to one round of publicly funded in vitro fertilization (IVF). The province is adding $50 million per annum to the current $20 million spent (…) [Read Full Article]
Do You Know These Details about Employee Assistance Programs?
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is one possible component of an employee benefits promise. EAPs are primarily known for providing access to confidential counselling (by phone and in person) and consultations on financial or legal questions. An EAP can be an important piece of your benefits solution. With 53% of (…) [Read Full Article]
What Is a Healthcare Spending Account? [Video]
A healthcare spending account (HCSA) is a benefits solution that can be used either as a complement to a core health and dental plan, or as a standalone option. What Is It? Essentially, an HCSA is a pool of money available to employees and their families, which an employer funds (…) [Read Full Article]
FREE eBook! Get “The Smart Employer’s Guide to HCSAs”
A healthcare spending account (HCSA) is a practical, affordable, and flexible benefits plan option that has a multitude of advantages for business owners like you. It comes as no surprise, then, that HCSAs are gaining popularity as an alternative (or addition!) to conventional group health and dental plans. As a (…) [Read Full Article]
Do You Know These Important OHIP Coverage Details?
Do you and your employees know all the ins and outs of the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)? If you’re not in the healthcare or benefits industry, chances are that you don’t. And you might be missing out on some great coverage options! Benefits plans are designed to wrap around (…) [Read Full Article]
The Four Pitfalls of Self-Managing Your Healthcare Spending Account
Some employers believe they can save money on administration by self-managing their healthcare spending account (HCSA) benefits plan. However, it’s important to know that self-administration often results in high costs, lost time, and other drawbacks. Before you determine whether to use a third party administrator or self-manage your plan, you (…) [Read Full Article]
