At Home in Berks August 2017 - 25

"There are a lot of ways that an employer
can offer health care for employees," he
said. "There are innovations and different
ways of doing things, but you've got to be
open to the options that your agent will
explain to you."
While other types of insurance, such as property, casualty and auto, have remained relatively stable, health insurance has changed dramatically over the past decade, and
probably will continue to do so. Regulations keep changing,
and can make it difficult for employers to remain compliant.
Mahoney advised all employers who offer health care
for employees to hire a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) to
make sure they are in compliance with all regulations.
Employees from the U.S. Department of Labor conduct
audits of businesses to assure they are in compliance, Mahoney explained, and fines for compliance violations have
increased dramatically.
"They're out there, and if they find out you don't have
these things covered, you're going to be paying big fines,"
warned Mahoney.
An insurance agent can offer advice regarding policies
and plans, but is not permitted to get involved with compliance issues. And, while large businesses will have lawyers or
human resource professionals to review compliance issues,
small businesses normally do not.
"It's not overly expensive to hire a
third-party administrator, and I just look
at it as a cost of doing business," Mahoney
said. "If you hire a TPA, compliance issues
should not be a problem."
Many changes have occurred, and health insurance
has become a complex subject, said Mahoney, who has
worked in the insurance industry for 15 years and is widely
recognized for his work on behalf of customers. Finding a
reputable insurance company and an agent you trust are imperative for making sure that you and your employees make
the most out of coverage cost, and there will be assistance
available when problems arise.

Local.

Where he makes farming thrive.
David Wolfskill
Where we make decisions.
Mar-Anne Farms

When David and Cindy Wolfskill decided to expand their dairy farm,
they switched to Tompkins VIST Bank.

"They're different," says David. "When you need something,
Tompkins VIST is there immediately."
Says David: "They really go above and beyond."
Need a local decision?

Call 888-238-3330 or visit VISTBank.com.

Locally focused. A world of possibilities.

AUGUST 2017 AT HOME IN BERKs

http://www.VISTBank.com

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