Do Your Employees Understand Their Benefits

Although human resource decision makers believe it is important for employees to fully understand their benefit options, it is estimated that about 40% of them do not. With the trends in health care pushing more and more responsibility on employees to manage their own benefits, there is clearly a disconnect here.
The majority of large and midsized companies believe web based tools increase employee understanding of benefits and their overall engagement, yet the majority of large and midsized companies don't provide them. In fact six out of ten HR decision makers, regardless of company size, believe Mobile access to benefit information is important. Yet fewer than half of the companies provide mobile access now.

Ways To Use Your FSA Before Year End

Many employees have trouble identifying expenses they can purchase with a health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Circulating a list of health care and dependent eligible expenses may help them use their fund prior to year end. Here are some examples:

• Over the counter medications prescribed by your doctor can be reimbursed.


• Submit any outstanding receipts for health care such as Rx or dependent care such as day care or summer camp.


• Get a back up supply of regularly used medical supplied such as contact lenses and solution, prescription glasses etc.


• Behind on any exams? Visit chiropractor or acupuncturist, dentist or physician before year end.


• Get up to date on vaccinations including flu shot.


• Smoking cessation and weight loss counseling accompanied by letter of medical necessity can be reimbursed.


• Mileage to and from eligible appointments as well as pharmacy are reimburseable. From January to June 2011 the rate is 19 cents a mile and from July to December 2011 it is 23.5 cents a mile.