Why FlexBenefits?
By Brian Dow, President When asked why we created FlexBenefits, the answer is clear: to address the growing burden of out-of-pocket expenses faced by many individuals in various health plans. This issue is not limited to the individual ACA market but extends to the Medicare Advantage market and the small group markets. Deductibles continue to […]
15 Aug, 2024
FlexBenefits on BenefitsPRO: Protect Workers From Medical Debt
In a new article for BenefitsPRO, FlexBenefits founder Jeff Smedsrud draws attention to the crushing out-of-pocket costs faced by many people and discusses the need to protect people from medical debt. Smedsrud, a longtime benefits player, makes the case for supplemental insurance as a needed solution to help consumers safeguard their health and family finances. […]
25 Jul, 2024
The Financial Burden of a Critical Illness Diagnosis
Critical illnesses like cancer, heart attack or stroke are a huge burden not just emotionally and physically but also financially. The cost of initial care, prescription drugs, and follow-up treatment can run in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. No matter your health insurance coverage, this burdens patients and caregivers. What’s in this article How […]
24 Apr, 2024
Critical Illness Can Happen at Any Age
Getting majorly sick is for older people like your parents, right? Think again. It happens to young and old alike. You can get diagnosed with cancer in your 40s just as if you’re in your 60s. Strokes and heart attacks? They won’t discriminate either and affect younger adults as well as older ones. What are […]
24 Apr, 2024
Hiking Injuries: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Health & Finances
You love the outdoors. No matter the weather, you’re eager to slip on your hiking boots and see nature in all its glory. You’ve visited all your local state parks and even camped at some of the largest national ones like Yosemite. Like many other hikers, you haven’t had the misfortune of a major injury […]
24 Apr, 2024
Service Industry Workers: 6 Ways to Maximize Your Savings Potential
Service industry workers put in the time to pay for the necessities of life. They bus tables, take orders from hungry customers, and sometimes, pacify the same hangry mouths. Service industry workers pool tips and hourly salaries to cover groceries and rent. Some days are good. Others are a scramble to get by. So how […]
11 Apr, 2024
The Hidden Costs of Accidents: Childcare, lost wages, mortgage, car payments - all of life's bills plus estimates of accident recovery costs.
Accidents cost trillions of dollars a year. That’s a lot of zeros. But as a business of one and a self-employed worker, how much would an accident cost you personally? What else do you need to be aware of when a fluke accident sidelines you for days, weeks, or longer? Some studies estimate it could […]
6 Apr, 2024
Gig Workers, Contractors, Consultants – How are they different and similar? Why they need a rainy-day policy
Gig workers, contractors, and consultants. They all sound the same, but there are some key differences between each one. One thing they share is a need for a rainy-day policy should the unthinkable or unimaginable happen. What’s in this article: What are gig workers, contractors, and consultants? How are gig workers, contractors, and consultants similar? […]
6 Apr, 2024
Why Disability Insurance is Key for Gig Workers
Being a gig worker has lots of pluses. Flexible hours. Freedom to choose your work. It also has its minuses. Lack of job security. Inconsistent income. No benefits, especially to protect you if you get sick or hurt. Disability insurance is one option that can help. It pays you when you can’t work because of […]
5 Apr, 2024
How Executives Can Protect Their Finances
After years of working for someone else in executive roles, you’ve struck out on your own. You’re on solid financial footing and have a plan for retirement and beyond. You’ve also planned for everything else and have all the security you think you need for life’s what-ifs. But life can throw even executives a curveball […]
3 Apr, 2024
3 Benefits Beyond Employee Compensation
You may think your job’s health insurance benefits will foot the bill if you get sick or hurt. It will — but only to a point. You’ll still be on the hook for hundreds if not thousands in out-of-pocket costs, even with those employee benefits. Your health plan may not cover all unexpected expenses. That […]
29 Mar, 2024
I’m Over 65 and Don’t Have Enough Savings for Medical Expenses
You’ve retired and are enjoying the golden years of your life. You go for walks in the morning and jog in the afternoon. You tend to your garden and play a round of golf or pickleball whenever you want. Medical expenses are far from your mind. But your annual checkup turned up something that merited […]
29 Mar, 2024