Having an insurance broker
means much more than just coming to see you once a year to discuss a renewal. Today, a company's benefits programs can make or break hiring that "key employee" or being an "employer of choice." Our benefit advisors utilize the best technologies afforded and literally take you and your staff out of the insurance business. These services are available at no additional cost to companies with 20 or more employees, and with a small additional charge to smaller groups.
Employee benefits program analysis & communication:
OPBA will help your company review, design and analyze your employee benefits program. If needed, we can help you create a program that will allow you to be an employer of choice. Do your employees really appreciate their company paid benefits? Most employees do not know what benefits they have, what they are worth and how much their employer actually pays for these benefits on an annual basis. OPBA will provide customized benefits communication material. Spanish is available upon request.
On-site enrollment service:
When a new or existing benefit plan enrollment comes around, many employees have not been given the tools or knowledge to make proper healthcare decisions. We help them to utilize the plan in a way that will be less costly to them. Many times an employee or employer is disenchanted with a plan simply because they got charged a deductible when they thought it was only going to cost them a copay. OPBA will provide face to face employee meetings to fully explain coverages in every location you request. (Even Out of State if there are a minimum number of employees at the site).
Cobra compliance service:
Over 90%of all employers are not in compliance with COBRA and updated HIPAA requirements-and the DOL knows it. Fines, penalties, and ERISA lawsuits range from $100 a day for each employee and each violation. We will provide updated COBRA notices and HIPAA assistance to help keep your personnel informed and up to date. We also offer actual COBRA administration at no charge.
Employee handbook service:
Having an outdated employee handbook can be worse than not having one at all. With today's litigious environment a carefully drafted, up-to-date employee handbook is essential to employee management. An employee handbook is the first line of defense for any employer. OPBA will review and our HR consultant will either provide a new handbook, update the existing or provide in-depth recommendations.
Legal compliance:
A review of internal practices concerning benefits will be conducted. Your company's legal compliance, personnel procedures, systems and files can be evaluated to ensure sound practices and provide peace of mind.
HR Consulting and Labor Law Assistance:
Your company may have pressing questions on a daily basis that may require the assistance of a professional HR consultant or labor attorney. OPBA has a strategic partnership with highly specialized local professionals in the area of HR and labor law.
Employer's Poster Set Service:
Employer posting requirements change regularly and fines can run as high as $8000 depending on which State the violation occurs in. We take care of you by providing all Federal, Local & State required posters. Out of State and other languages will require a fee.
Section 125, Premium only plan services:
Many employers still do not take advantage of the "pre-taxing" of health premiums, which reduces certain employee and employer paid payroll taxes. Your employees will increase their take home pay and see reduced income to help lower their tax bill. OPBA will provide a plan document at no charge and assist in getting the program set up. We can also help set up a Flexible Spending Account program for employees to set aside monies on a pre-tax basis for unreimbursed medical expenses, daycare and in some cases parking and transportation. Programs vary.
Employee benefits hotline/health faires:
Employees are often left out of most brokers' claims assistance. They deal directly with office/HR staff which ties up their workday. This is NOT why you hired a broker! Some brokers only offer assistance to owners, officers or managers. OPBA will provide assistance to any employee directly and they will have a toll-free number to use! We will interface with every insurance carrier to achieve satisfaction. Informative Health Faires can be provided at least once a year.
Benefits administration:
In some cases, your benefits administrator or HR department would like to spend more of its time in payroll, employee relations and revenue producing activities. Not in adding or deleting employees, fighting with the insurance company or monitoring the premium billing every month. OPBA will administer your employee benefits programs and save an immense amount of time and headaches!
Voluntary benefits programs:
Many employers cannot afford to provide the benefits they would like to. Frankly, the competition may provide the benefits but they must build it into their costs. To remain competitive, you can add benefits for your employees at no cost to you. They will be able to pick and choose what is best for them. A wide variety of products are available such as dental, vision, life insurance, disability, accident, hospital plans, specific illness plans, long term care, cancer and much more. We will find the best program for you and will help implement the program with as little disruption as possible.