FEDlogic's January Newsletter

January 22, 2024

The Benefit of Guiding Employees on COBRA to FEDlogic

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, employers play a crucial role in supporting their current and former employees, especially those on COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). Providing guidance on exploring comprehensive healthcare options is not only a testament to responsible employer practices but also a means of empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health coverage, as well as a way to avoid higher claims costs. FEDlogic is a valuable resource for navigating these options that can help individuals understand their true healthcare alternatives, including potential eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare, or Healthcare.gov policies with subsidies.

The Importance of Guidance:

When employees transition to COBRA coverage, they face critical decisions about their healthcare future. Many may not be aware of the full spectrum of options available beyond COBRA. This is where employers can make a significant impact by instructing their COBRA beneficiaries to contact FEDlogic. This guidance ensures that individuals receive comprehensive information about alternative healthcare plans, potentially leading to more cost-effective and tailored coverage.

Understanding True Options:

FEDlogic offers insights into various healthcare avenues. Employees on COBRA may be eligible for Medicaid, a state and federally-funded program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals. This option can significantly reduce the financial burden for those who qualify.

Additionally, FEDlogic can help individuals explore Medicare eligibility. For COBRA beneficiaries reaching the age of 65, understanding Medicare options becomes essential. FEDlogic's experts assist individuals in navigating the complexities of Medicare, ensuring they make well-informed decisions.

Furthermore, FEDlogic provides guidance on accessing Healthcare.gov policies with potential subsidies, helping individuals assess their eligibility for subsidies, and making healthcare coverage more affordable and accessible.

Empowering Employees:

By directing current and former employees on COBRA to FEDlogic, employers empower individuals to take control of their healthcare journey. Informed decisions lead to better coverage choices, improved financial well-being, and increased overall satisfaction with healthcare plans.

In a world where healthcare options can be complex and overwhelming, employers can serve as a guiding light for their employees. Instructing COBRA beneficiaries to contact FEDlogic ensures that individuals receive accurate information about their true healthcare alternatives. This proactive approach not only demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being but also fosters a sense of security and empowerment, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more satisfied workforce and lower claims costs.

FEDlogic provides digital marketing materials designed to support our clients as they make employee referrals to FEDlogic. If you need these materials or updated versions, please contact Kate Kellner, Director of Client Services.

Featured Success Story

In January, our experts were contacted by an employee who had been diagnosed with cancer and was no longer able to work. He and his spouse were in jeopardy of having no health insurance, and their short-term disability had ended. FEDlogic experts worked with this family and were able to help the employee secure health insurance through an Affordable Care Act (Healthcare.gov) plan and get his spouse signed up for Medicare. In addition, the employee was approved for Social Security Disability benefits in just two weeks, though his case was not considered to be a Compassionate Allowance case since his cancer diagnosis was not at a late stage. This family now has a source of income and health insurance.

The employee said of his experience with FEDlogic, “Great information. [They] answered my questions and concerns, took the extra stressful headaches away. Thank you very much.”

A conversation with a FEDlogic expert can turn what feels like the most vulnerable and stressful time in someone’s life into a transformational experience and a true lifeline for them and their household members.

FEDlogic’s Monthly Webinar Series

Our popular monthly webinar series returns in 2024!

Hosted the last Wednesday of each month at 1:00pm CST, our webinars are designed to provide your employees with valuable insights and knowledge on various federal and state benefits topics.

January’s webinar includes an overview of federal benefits, how FEDlogic can help, and an in-depth look into federal and state changes and updates for 2024.

We take a deep dive into a different topic nearly every month. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the FEDlogic experience along with your employees and teammates. For those unable to attend the live sessions, the webinars are recorded and available to access through the employee resources page on our website.

Register now and secure your spot for our upcoming webinars in 2024 by clicking on the image below!

Client Feature: Wise Business Forms

Wise serves a variety of resellers with their manufacturing of forms, labels, tags, and business printing. Wise is based in Alpharetta, Georgia, with production facilities in Indiana, Maine, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. They are ranked as one of the top 10 independent manufacturers of forms in the United States for sales volume. Wise strives to continue creating quality manufactured goods for their clients' businesses based on their unique needs.

Thank you for placing your trust in FEDlogic. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve your families.

Check out the FEDlogic LinkedIn page for this and all new client features.

Survey Reveals Trends in Employers' Benefits Strategies for 2024

In Mercer's recent Health and Benefits Strategies for 2024 survey, employers are gearing up for the upcoming year by focusing on enhancing benefits to improve affordability and flexibility and address perceived gaps. The survey, which gathered insights from over 700 employers, indicates that a quarter of them have already made improvements to their benefits programs in the past two years, and over two-thirds plan to incorporate further enhancements in the coming year.

Despite the anticipated rise in healthcare costs by 7% in 2024, employers are prioritizing the improvement of benefits to remain competitive in the labor market. The majority recognize that reducing offerings to cut costs may have negative effects that outweigh potential savings.

One significant trend is the increased focus on supporting women's health. Mercer reveals that 46% of employers plan to offer benefits or resources to support women's reproductive health, a notable increase from 37% the previous year. Moreover, there has been a substantial surge in the number of employers planning to offer menopause support, more than tripling since the last survey.

Employee flexibility is another key area of improvement for 2024. Mercer's findings show that 27% of employers now offer unlimited paid time off to at least some employees, up from 22% in 2021. Paid time-off policies are becoming more inclusive, with a growing emphasis on paid parental leave for all types of families. Other flexible work options include hybrid work arrangements (80%), paid time off for volunteering (49%), remote work options (47%), a four-day workweek or consolidated schedule (22%), unpaid sabbaticals (17%), paid sabbaticals (8%), and even time off for an ill or newly adopted pet (3%).

In light of inflationary pressures affecting employees' salaries, affordability is a top concern for employers. To address this, many are adopting strategies to slow health cost growth without shifting the burden to employees. Common approaches include programs to help manage specific health conditions, addressing the cost of specialty prescription drugs, focusing on virtual care, and guiding employees toward quality care with navigation or advocacy services.

The survey underscores the importance of a robust employee communications strategy that prioritizes benefits education. This can empower employees to make informed decisions about their healthcare, positively impacting both their well-being and the organization's bottom line. Incorporating FEDlogic as a benefit and communicating the availability of the breadth of topics we can help with is crucial to realizing higher employee engagement and, by extension, lower costs.

As employers navigate the evolving landscape, consulting with experts and evaluating unique organizational needs will be crucial to crafting an effective benefits strategy for 2024. Make sure FEDlogic is strategically placed in your benefits offering to ensure you get the most out of your relationship with us.

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