BerniePortal HR Blog

Emerging HR trends, compliance updates, recruitment and retention—everything you need to keep your organization running smoothly.

    How to Fill Out Form 941 to Receive COBRA Subsidy Tax Credits
    Picture of Drew Gieseke Drew Gieseke | July 19, 2021

    Employers with team members who have been laid off or furloughed may qualify for COBRA subsidies that cover the full cost of coverage through the end...

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    Is it Legal for People to Use FSAs and HSAs Together?
    Picture of Drew Gieseke Drew Gieseke | July 11, 2021

    Yes, employees can use an HSA and an FSA together, but with important exceptions. According to IRS Publication 969, a standard FSA is generally...

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    What Employees Should Know About the Average Cost for Ultrasounds
    Picture of Drew Gieseke Drew Gieseke | July 6, 2021

    Employers that provide a health insurance benefit to employees will almost certainly field countless questions about the costs of coverage. This is...

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    Just Married: How Does Health Insurance Change for Newlywed Employees?
    Picture of Lauren Brown Lauren Brown | July 6, 2021

    Newlyweds have plenty to navigate after they tie the knot, including how they enroll in health insurance. Generally speaking, employees can only...

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    How to Write a COVID-19 Return to Work Letter Best Practices
    Picture of Drew Gieseke Drew Gieseke | July 1, 2021

    COVID-19 vaccines have arrived. As more and more municipalities welcome workers back to their respective offices—particularly with more recent...

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    Do Copays Count Toward the Out-of-Pocket Maximum?
    Picture of Lauren Brown Lauren Brown | June 29, 2021

    Back in 2014, all in-network cost-sharing, including copays, started to count toward a policyholder’s out-of-pocket maximum, which marked a...

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    How Does Enrolling in an HDHP Mid-Year Impact Your HSA?
    Picture of Lauren Brown Lauren Brown | June 23, 2021

    Changing life events in the middle of the year usually means changes to your health insurance plan. If an employee enrolls in a high-deductible...

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    Adding a Newborn to Your Insurance Coverage
    Picture of Katie Shpak Katie Shpak | June 23, 2021

    As an HR professional, you've probably fielded questions from new or upcoming parents about health insurance for their babies. Or, if you're new to...

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    Should Benefit Packages Include Pet Insurance?
    Picture of Lauren Brown Lauren Brown | June 22, 2021

    After the COVID-19 pandemic forced most teams to work remotely and spend more time at home, many employees took the opportunity to add pets to...

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    Juneteenth Established as Federal Holiday with Bill Signed by Biden
    Picture of Drew Gieseke Drew Gieseke | June 17, 2021

    On Thursday, June 17, President Biden signed a bill establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day. The new federal holiday, which...

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