Posts Tagged ‘San Francisco Benefits Consultancy’

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What are Multiple Employer Plans? Part 1

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Have you heard people talking about Multiple Employer Plans? Are you curious as to what these are? This series of  blog posts will help you understand the terminology and the benefits of offering Multiple Employer Plans for your business.

Let’s start with some relevant terms:

Multiple Employer Plan (MEP): A retirement plan for businesses that typically have
a common interest, but are not commonly owned or affiliated.

Multiple Employer Plan Sponsor (MEP Sponsor): The organization that sponsors and maintains the MEP and master contract under which adopting employers may adopt a retirement plan; An example of organizations that may sponsor an MEP include a professional employer organization (PEO), or a professional association.

Adopting Employer: The term used to describe an employer that participates in an MEP.

A few Advantages of Multiple Employer Plans:

  1. MEP’s offer great potential as a savings option for small-business owners who want to provide their employees the same flexible features and benefits of a traditional 401(k) plan.
  2. If you are a small businesses you probably have a unique retirement plan-related needs, and very different concerns about the cost of administering a retirement plan than a larger company, therefore, a MEP would be very beneficial.
  3. The MEP structure also offers flexibility for small business owners to remain in this plan construct or to easily graduate to a stand-alone plan when they are ready.

If you are interested in Multiple Employer Plans it’s important to contact your Employee Benefit Adviser.

Stay tuned for the next blog with more information on MEP’s.

Resource: TRANSAMERICA Retirement Services

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National Walk @ Lunch Day – Are You Walking?

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Wednesday of last week was National Walk @ Lunch Day. We thought it would be fun to write a post on this because it is such a great idea! Are you walking at lunch?

The definition of the day is as follows: National Walk @ Lunch Day is a national workplace walking initiative designed to encourage you to take a walk during your lunch break.  Since walking briskly for 30 minutes can burn up to 200 calories for the average person, a daily walking program can be an effective way to manage weight and blood pressure.  Regular physical activity can improve stamina and reduce fatigue during the work day and at home.

This does no mean that you have to wait a year to take a walk at lunch. This is the time to start a new routine. Instead of sitting at your desk during your lunch and feeling lazy, eat your lunch and then go for a walk. The best way to make this happen is to find a friend who wants to do it with you. Make a commitment to each other that you will walk for 30 minutes two to three times a week. Make it a fun part of your day and make sure you don’t walk the same path everyday – mix it up so you don’t get bored.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the cost to treat illness and chronic disease caused by inactive lifestyles is nearly $1,000 for every family in America, every year. Simply getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as a brisk walk, at least five times a week has significant health benefits, lowering the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes and improving the health of muscles, bones and joints.

Let the National Walk @ Lunch Day inspire you to try walking at lunch. See if you can do it for a month and then another and perhaps a full year. It’s important to celebrate your health and wellness and make it a part of your day. Find a buddy and start walking at lunch – you will enjoy it!

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Starting with a 5K – Ending with a Triathlon, Part 2

Monday, April 25th, 2011

Last week we posted a blog about training for a 5K. This week we are featuring part 2, training for a 10K. If you have done a 5K already then your training will be very similar, just more distance and more training.

Let’s start with some key terms to help with training.

Rest: Rest means no running. None. Give your muscles and synapses some serious R&R so all systems are primed for the next workout. Better two quality days and two of total rest than four days of mediocrity resulting from lingering fatigue. Rest days give you a mental break as well, so you’ll come back feeling refreshed.

Easy Runs: Easy runs mean totally comfortable and controlled. If you’re running with someone else, you should be able to converse easily. You’ll likely feel as if you could go faster. Don’t. Here’s some incentive to take it easy: You’ll still be burning 100 calories every mile you run, no matter how slow you go.

Long Runs: Long runs are any steady run at or longer than race distance designed to enhance endurance, which enables you to run longer and longer and feel strong doing it. A great long-run tip: Find a weekly training partner for company. You’ll have plenty of time to talk about anything that comes up.

Speedwork: Speedwork means bursts of running shorter than race distance, some at your race goal pace, some faster. This increases cardiac strength, biomechanical efficiency that translates into more miles per gallon, and the psychological toughness racing demands. That said, you’re not trying to kill yourself. Keep it fun.

One of the ways to train for a 10K is by doing a run/walk schedule – see below. Your workout instructions will displayed in run/walk intervals. The first number displayed will be the amount of minutes to run and the second number is the amount to walk. So, for example, 1/1 means run for 1 minute, then walk for 1 minute. Make sure that you always start your workouts with a 5 to 10 warm up.

10 Week Training Program for beginners:

Week 1:
Day 1: 1/1 x 10 (1 minute run, 1 minute walk x 10, for a total of 20 minutes)
Day 2: 1/1 x 10
Day 3: 1/1 x 10
Day 4: 40-45 minutes cross-training

Week 2:
Day 1: 1/1 x 11
Day 2: 1/1 x 12
Day 3: 1/1 x 13
Day 4: 40-45 minutes cross-training

Week 3:
Day 1: 1/1 x 15
Day 2: 1/1 x 15
Day 3: 1/1 x 15
Day 4: 45 min cross-training

Week 4:
Day 1: 2/1 x 10
Day 2: 2/1 x 10
Day 3: 2/1 x 10
Day 4: 45 min cross-training

Week 5:
Day 1: 2/1 x 10
Day 2: 3/1 x 10
Day 3: 2/1 x 14
Day 4: 45 min cross-training
Day 5: 30 min cross-training

Week 6:
Day 1: 3/1 x 10
Day 2: 3/1 x 8
Day 3: 3/1 x 11
Day 4: 45 min cross-training
Day 5: 30 min cross-training

Week 7:
Day 1: 3/1 x 10
Day 2: 3/1 x 8
Day 3: 3/1 x 13
Day 4: 45 min cross-training
Day 5: 30 min cross-training

Week 8:
Day 1: 3/1 x 10
Day 2: 3/1 x 10
Day 3: 3/1 x 15
Day 4: 45 min cross-training
Day 5: 30 min cross-training

Week 9:
Day 1: 3/1 x 10
Day 2: 3/1 x 10
Day 3: 3/1 x 17
Day 4: 45 min cross-training
Day 5: 30 min cross-training

Week 10:
Your 10K is this week! You’re going to take it a little easier this week, so that you’re well-rested for your big race. Good luck! Day 1: 2/1 x 10
Day 2: 30 min cross-training
Day 3: 3/1 x 5

Good luck training for a 10k!

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Starting with a 5K – Ending with a Triathlon, Part 1

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Have you ever thought about completing a 5K, what about a Triathlon? Does this sound overwhelming and difficult? The answer is probably YES and this is why you haven’t done it. However, if you start small, set a goal, and make a plan you can do it! We are going to give you advice in 5 blogs on how to train for a 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, and a Triathlon.

The picture featured to the right is BayPoint Benefits Co-Founder Brian Hassan, who has completed multiple Triathlons over past few years. He’s an avid runner, biker, and swimmer. He highly recommends focusing on nutrition, drinking lots of water, and staying consistent with your training schedule.

Starting with a 5K:

Remember to start off walking, then gradually introduce running. Make sure you get a good pair of shoes designed for running. Don’t try to make do with shoes you bought five years ago and have been wearing for yard work. You will end up injured and your running plans will have to be postponed. Visit your local running retailer for information on purchasing the best shoes for you.

This is a 12 week program for beginners. This is for people who have passed a physical but have done little exercise. If you can complete this program, you should be ready to participate in a 5k!

The first eight weeks of the program are based on time. The time suggested should be spent exercising, which at this stage means walking and running. All running should be gentle as far as effort goes, which means that it should be fat burning or aerobic conditioning.  If you are using a heart rate monitor, every step the first eight weeks should be under 75% of maximum heart rate (if you do not know your max HR, use the formula 220 – age until better information is available). If you are not using a monitor, the exercise should be at an effort in which conversational talking is possible.

The last four weeks of the program are based on distance. At this point in the program you should be able to run pretty much the entire distance without any walking.

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Week 1 15 mins off 15 mins off 15 mins 20 mins off
Week 2 15 mins off 15 mins off 15 mins 25 mins off
Week 3 20 mins off 20 mins off 20 mins 30 mins off
Week 4 20 mins off 20 mins off 20 mins 30 mins off
Week 5 25 mins off 20 mins off 25 mins 35 mins off
Week 6 25 mins off 30 mins off 25 mins 40 mins off
Week 7 30 mins off 25 mins off 30 mins 45 mins off
Week 8 30 mins off 30 mins off 30 mins 45 mins off

Based on miles:

Week 9        3         off             3            off         3             4          off

Week 10      3         off              4            off        3             4          off

Week 11       4         off             4            off         4             5           off

Week 12       4         off            4            off          1            5K Race off

The next blog we will provide a 10K training schedule. Good luck and be sure you set a goal for yourself and stick to it.

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Music, Laughter, & Your Health

Friday, March 25th, 2011

When is the last time you laughed out loud? When is the last time you listened to a good song? In a recent article on CNN.com it explains that researchers found that people who took part in bimonthly group sessions built around music or laughter lowered their systolic blood pressure (the top number in the reading) by an average of five to six points after three months. By contrast, the average blood-pressure reading in a control group that received neither therapy didn’t budge.

This shows that there must be a psychological effect happening. The heart and mind are very much connected and using these types of alternative remedies to lower blood pressure are very promising.

Here are 5 ways to fight stress and help your heart:

    1. Focus on relaxation - stress-reduction techniques and exercises such as yoga, meditation, and tai chi have been shown to lower stress hormones and bolster immune function.
    2. Connect with friends – spending extra time with friends can help not only with your mental health, but with your heart health. Laughing and sharing experiences together are very healthy activities for the entire body.
    3. Don’t hold grudges - research suggests that people experience more psychological stress and higher heart rates when they hold grudges than when they grant forgiveness.
    4. Laugh & lighten up – laughter can burn up to 20% more calories than keeping that poker face, according to a 2005 study, which monitored adults while they watched funny and not-so-funny film clips.
    5. Cut the caffeine – caffeine can quickly raise your fight-or-flight response and all the attendant stress hormones.

      We hope these tips will help you stay healthy. Health and wellness are very important, especially if you are struggling with stress at work. Make sure you understand the importance of your employee’s health and overall wellness.

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      You hired a new employee – now what?

      Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

      When you are working with new employees and addressing an enrollment plan there are some very important steps to take. Here are a few of the steps to help you make the process flow from the beginning to the end. Even if your HR department takes care of these steps, it’s important as an employer or an employee to be aware of the process. 

        1. Provide the new employee with a pre-employment benefits newsletter.
        2. Make sure the employee has the links to all online forms so they can review coverage options.
        3. Supply the new employee with information for registering on carrier website.
        4. Speak with the employee regarding for for spouse. For example the spousal allowance compliance form.
        5. Provide the employee with a benefits comparison if multiple plans are offered.
        6. Make sure the employee is aware of all annual notices required by federal and state law.

          After the employee has gone through eligibility the next step is to address the follow items.

            1. Speak with the employee on how claims are filed, processed and the general time it takes for turnaround.
            2. How to resolve claim issues and who to speak with.
            3. Procedures to address questions and concerns.
            4. Makes sure the employee has all ID cards ad they are printed correctly.

              If you have questions regarding any of these steps it’s important to speak with your employee benefit adviser.

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              5 TIPS TO MORE HAPPINESS!

              Thursday, March 10th, 2011

              Sometimes it’s easier to say you are happy than to be happy. As part of our focus on health and wellness we are going to look at 5 things will make you happier. It’s not always easy to do these things, but thinking about them everyday will help inspire you to be happier. We hope you can take a few minutes and look over these tips.

              1. Be Grateful: Take a few minutes everyday to be grateful, perhaps it’s sending a thank you note or a letter to a good friend. Studies have shown that when be are grateful they have an increase in happiness.

              2. Be Optimistic: Optimistic thinking is very important to happiness. Waking up in the morning, smiling, and telling yourself  you will have a good day will lead to increased happiness.

              3. Count Your Blessings: Research has shown that people who sit down each week and write three good things that have happened to them are happier. This exercise gives people the ability to reflect on the positive things in their lives, rather than negative things

              4. Commit Acts of Kindness: Helping others can help yourself. By doing acts of kindness you will feel better about yourself and ultimately lead to a happier lifestyle. Small acts of kindness count as well. Spending a few hours helping a friend, donating to a charity, or volunteering are simple ways to help another.

              5. Use Your Strengths: What are you good at? What do you shine at doing? Using your strengths will make you happier and will also make the people around you happier. Are you good at organizing meetings? If so, you should be the one arranging them and ultimately this will make you happier.

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              Have you heard of National Almond Day? Heart Healthy

              Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

              In honor of National Heart Month today is National Almond Day! Our last post was about heart health and we mentioned the importance of almonds. Today is just one day this year to celebrate how the many forms of almonds can offer both taste and health benefits. Almonds are a great snack to carry in your purse and pop into your mouth when you are feeling hungry. There are many ways to use almonds, for example, sprinkle toasted slivered almonds on a salad of greens, or add almond milk to a mixed berry smoothie to boost vitamin E and a spectrum of other antioxidants. For more almond recipes click on California Almonds.

              Here is some interesting information about the Almond Board of California:

              Consumers all over the world enjoy California Almonds as a natural, wholesome and quality food product, making almonds California’s leading agricultural export in terms of value.

              The Almond Board of California promotes almonds through its research-based approach to all aspects of marketing, farming and production on behalf of the more than 6,000 California Almond growers and processors, many of whom are multi-generational family operations.

              Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, Calif., the Almond Board of California is a nonprofit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

              For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.almondboard.com or sign up for their eNewsletter to receive the latest almond nutrition news, research and helpful tips for your clients.

              Happy almond eating from BayPoint Benefits.

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              15 Keywords To Understand Your Health Insurance – Part 2

              Thursday, January 20th, 2011

              Here you can find 15 more keywords that will help you when you are speaking with your benefits consultant.

              To finish off the alphabet.

              1. Medicare: This is a federally-sponsored healthcare program that offers coverage for medical and hospital care primarily to those over the age of 65.

              2. Network: This refers to the groups of doctors, hospitals and other medical professionals who have been contracted to provide discounted healthcare services to your insurance carrier’s customers.

              3. Out-of-Network: This term typically refers to any doctors, hospitals or other healthcare providers considered to be non-participants by your insurance plan (HMO, POS, or PPO). Depending on your plan’s guidelines, services provided by out-of-plan providers may not be covered, or only covered in part.

              4. POS: Point-of-Service Plan. A POS is a managed healthcare plan that combines the features of a Health Maintenance Organization and a Preferred Provider Organization. These plans allow you to decide whether or not you’ll use an in-network provider or an out-of-network provider.

              5. Pre-existing Conditions: This refers to any healthcare issues you had prior to your insurance plan’s effective date. Many policies will refuse to cover pre-existing conditions, while others do so only for a short time.

              6. PPO: Preferred Provider Organization. PPOs are networks of healthcare providers who have negotiated discount contracts with health insurance carriers. Your healthcare provider decisions will be up to you, but there are generally financial incentives for you to select providers within your PPO network.

              7. Preventative Care: Health services that focus solely on preventative care measures such as physical exams, immunizations, diagnostic tests and mammograms.

              8. Premium: The dollar amount you’ll pay on a monthly basis in exchange for your insurance coverage.

              9. Primary Care Physician: Most HMOs and POS plans will require you to select one family physician, pediatrician or internist to monitor your health, treat most of your health problems, and refer you to specialists when necessary.

              10. Provider: This term refers to any individual (nurse, physician, or specialist) or institution (clinic, hospital, or laboratory) that provides you with care.

              11. Rider: This refers to any policy attachment that makes additions or changes to your original insurance plan.

              12. Short Term Health Insurance: This type of healthcare plan is purchased to provide you with benefits during coverage gaps between jobs, after a move, or while you’re traveling overseas.

              13. Small Business Health Insurance: This is a type of healthcare coverage that is available to businesses employing between two and fifty employees. It offers discounted premiums to employees and tax advantages to small business owners; also in most cases, the coverage cannot be denied.

              14. Travel Health Insurance: This insurance is purchased to provide you with coverage when you’re traveling abroad.

              15. Waiting Period: This refers to a pre-specified time period during which you will not be covered by your insurance (for a particular healthcare issue).

              Reference: www.ctindividualhealth.com/glossary.html

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              Looking into 2011 – Health Reform Implementation

              Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

              Happy New Year to all! 2010 was a very eventful year for health reform and 2011 will be as well. Here are some hot topics you should expect to see in the new year.

              1. A NEW SPENDING BILL: The outgoing Congress was able to approve a temporary budget to fund the federal government into early March, based on current appropriations levels. That means there was no money for agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services to pay for the implementation of health reform, from monitoring the development of state insurance exchanges to awarding grants to reviewing insurance rate hikes.

              2. THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE: Lawsuits contesting the constitutionality of the individual mandate to purchase health insurance will continue to wind their way to a likely Supreme Court decision. While the Supreme Court isn’t likely to take up the case until 2012, big lower court decisions will be handed down in the coming year.

              3. STATE IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS: States will need to make significant strides forward to make sure they are prepared to implement health reform’s most important components in 2014, especially insurance exchanges. Keep an eye on states with newly elected Republican governors, especially Florida, to see whether they resist moving ahead on health reform and how the federal government responds.

              4. MEDICAL LOSS RATIO: New regulations requiring insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care will take effect. Keep an eye on how many states request exemptions out of fear that the regulations could destabilize their insurance markets.

              If you have any questions regarding these topics be sure to contact your benefits consultant.

              Reference: IBM Center for The Business of Government

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