Employee Assistance Programs

Employee assistance programs (EAP)can make a difference for employers of all sizes by; leveraging your investment in employees, reducing your cost of doing business, and mitigating risk. EAP’s provide small to mid-sized employers, with limited resources, the ability to give employees and families access to short term problem resolution, ways to deal with stress, and the challenges of today’s world. Additionally, many provide training for Mangers to identify and deal with workplace stress and performance issues. Workplace absenteeism, productivity, safety and turnover can all be improved with a good EAP. Your business risk can be lowered by reducing the possibility of workplace violence and other safety dangers. It can help management deal with disaster and emergency preparedness and minimizing work disruption in case of such event. EAP’s can provide drug and alcohol-free workplace polices. All of these measures help lesson your risk of workplace litigation or liability. These practices make your business and employees more efficient and can often be added to your benefits program at little or no costs. Contact us for more information.

Walmart $4 Prescription List

As part of our commitment to lowering healthcare costs, Wal-Mart offers over 360 prescription drugs at only $4 per 30-day supply.* In only its first year, this program has already saved our customers over $610 million.

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Health Care Reform- Dental

Dental Coverage/Dependent Children: For our community rated groups we will be increasing the age limit for dependent children to age 26 effective at the group's renewal starting with 10/01/10 renewal dates. VACE has already increased the age limit for all VACE groups effective 6/1/10. Exp rated groups will have the option of not increasing the age limit since dental insurance is not required to cover dependents to age 26 under the federal health care reform. For more information, please contact your service representative.

IRS HSA Limits - 2011

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced the 2011 inflation adjusted amounts for health savings accounts (HSAs) in Revenue Procedure 2010-22. Annual contribution limits for calendar year 2011 are unchanged from 2010 amounts: Deductions for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan: $3,050 Deductions for an individual with family coverage under a high deductible health plan: $6,150 High deductible health plans (for calendar year 2011): A “high deductible health plan” is defined as a health plan with an annual deductible that is not less than $1,200 for self-only coverage or $2,400 for family coverage, and the annual out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, copayments, and other amounts, but not premiums) do not exceed $5,950 for self-only coverage or $11,900 for family coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont | 445 Industrial Lane | Montpelier, VT 05601