Épisodes

  • Navigating Employee Benefits in 2025

    Navigating Employee Benefits in 2025
    May 6 2025

    Summary


    In this episode of BenefitsTV - The Podcast, hosts Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avila discuss various topics related to employee benefits, including how insurance benefits vary with company size, the impact of AI in the workplace, and the growing interest in pet insurance as a benefit. They explore the importance of effective communication of benefits, the role of AI in streamlining administrative tasks, and the potential for pet insurance to provide financial protection for employees.


    Chapters


    00:00 Podcast Origins and Hiatus

    03:24 Insurance Benefits and Company Size

    06:26 Communication and Employee Engagement in Benefits

    09:07 The Role of AI in Benefits Administration

    12:09 Pet Insurance: A Growing Trend

    26:56 Conclusion and Future Episodes

    28:53 Benefits TV Outro.mp4


    Takeaways


    Larger companies typically offer more comprehensive benefits than smaller ones.

    Effective communication of benefits is crucial for employee appreciation.

    Disability insurance is essential for protecting against income loss.

    AI tools are increasingly being used to automate administrative tasks in insurance.

    AI can assist employees in selecting the best benefits plans for their needs.

    Pet insurance is gaining popularity as a requested employee benefit.

    Offering pet insurance can enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

    Employers can deduct pet insurance costs from employee paychecks for convenience.

    The integration of AI in the workplace is inevitable and beneficial.

    Employers should embrace AI to improve workplace wellness programs.


    Keywords


    insurance benefits, company size, AI in workplace, pet insurance, employee benefits, health insurance, workplace wellness, employee support, insurance trends, benefits communication
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    19 min
  • Gen Z to Boomers: Cracking the Multi-Gen Benefits Code

    Gen Z to Boomers: Cracking the Multi-Gen Benefits Code
    Sep 27 2024
    In this episode of BenefitsTV - The Podcast, co-hosts Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avila delve into innovative strategies for employee benefits communication, with a focus on the future. They discuss the effectiveness of using text messaging as a communication tool, inspired by the 2017 Sonoma County fires. Additionally, the hosts emphasize the importance of understanding the cost and efficiency differences between primary care, urgent care, and emergency room visits. They advocate for employers to adopt forward-thinking communication methods and address how to effectively convey benefit information to a multi-generational workforce.

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
    00:24 Innovative Employee Benefits Communication
    01:02 The Rise of Employee Texting
    02:18 The Importance of Consistent Messaging
    03:48 Embracing Technology for Better Communication
    04:39 Generational Differences in Communication
    08:48 Primary Care vs. Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room
    10:32 Cost-Effective Healthcare Options
    14:13 The Value of Asking Questions
    17:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Andrew McNeil - AndrewM@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
    Rosario Avila - RosarioA@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
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    18 min
  • Navigating Health Insurance Premium Trends and ICHRAs

    Navigating Health Insurance Premium Trends and ICHRAs
    Aug 22 2024
    In this episode of BenefitsTV - The Podcast, co-hosts Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avila reconnect after a brief hiatus to discuss recent trends in healthcare costs and the growing interest in Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). They dive into a BenefitsPro article predicting an 8% rise in healthcare costs in 2025, explore the factors driving these increases, and ponder the impact on employers and employees. The discussion also covers the pros and cons of ICHRAs, highlighting their potential as a flexible solution for employers looking to manage expenses while offering employees greater choice in their healthcare plans.

    00:00 Welcome Back to BenefitsTV - The Podcast
    00:31 Catching Up: Personal Updates
    02:07 Healthcare Cost Trends for 2025
    10:41 Understanding ICHRAs
    12:45 Employee Perspectives on ICHRAs
    17:30 Conclusion and Sign-Off

    Contact:

    Andrew McNeil: AndrewM@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
    Rosario Avila: RosarioA@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
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    18 min
  • Creating a Fun Workplace and Addressing Leave Policies

    Creating a Fun Workplace and Addressing Leave Policies
    Jul 25 2024
    In this episode of BenefitsTV - The Podcast, hosts Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avila discuss the significance of creating a fun work environment and the positive impact it has on employees. They share experiences from their company, Arrow Benefits Group, detailing a two-day summer party and the benefits of such gatherings. Additionally, they delve into the important topic of maternity and paternity leave, sharing personal experiences and discussing broader trends and cultural shifts regarding parental leave policies. They emphasize the importance of employers supporting employees by encouraging the use of parental leave. The hosts also invite listeners to share their own experiences and practices regarding these workplace topics.

    00:00 Welcome Back to Benefits TV
    00:38 Creating a Fun Work Environment
    03:25 The Impact of Company Events
    12:55 Maternity and Paternity Leave Insights
    17:46 Encouraging Work-Life Balance
    24:36 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

    Contact:

    Andrew McNeil: AndrewM@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
    Rosario Avila: RosarioA@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
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    26 min
  • Evolving Benefits in the Workplace: A Conversation on Personalization and Education

    Evolving Benefits in the Workplace: A Conversation on Personalization and Education
    May 20 2024
    In this episode of BenefitsTV - The Podcast, the hosts discuss various workplace benefits topics, including personalization, education, and the role of advisors. They explore Rosario's experience as a finalist for Advisor of the Year and the need for innovation in the industry. The conversation covers the impact of larger companies entering the benefits space, self-funding strategies, engaging diverse workforce segments, and the importance of communication in enhancing benefits programs. The hosts encourage listeners to share their experiences in personalizing benefits and engaging employees.

    00:00 Welcome Back to Benefits TV
    00:28 Advisor of the Year: A Reflective Journey
    01:04 Bringing Innovations to the North Bay
    02:04 The Impact of Big Companies on Health Insurance
    03:38 Engaging New Generations in the Insurance Industry
    04:48 Addressing the Translation Barrier in Insurance
    06:11 Generational Differences in the Workforce
    07:01 Customizing Benefits for Diverse Employee Needs
    10:17 Effective Communication Strategies for Benefits Programs
    15:19 The Power of Personalization in Employee Engagement
    18:16 Closing Thoughts and Invitations for Feedback
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    19 min
  • Understanding Gen Z's Benefits Expectations

    Understanding Gen Z's Benefits Expectations
    Mar 22 2024
    In this episode of BenefitsTV - the Podcast, co-hosts Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avila discuss the top benefits that Gen Z expects from employers, based on a study by the Standard Insurance company.

    The episode delves into the changing landscape of employee benefits, highlighting Gen Z's growing influence in the workforce. By 2025, Gen Z is expected to comprise about 30% of the workforce, emphasizing the importance for employers to understand and cater to their needs. Surprising many, the top benefits for Gen Z include medical insurance, paid family and medical leave, retirement savings plans, life insurance, and mental health days, with a tie for fifth place between emergency savings accounts and mental health services. The hosts also touch on the significance of financial wellness, the rise of financial literacy, and the changing perspectives on work and family life.

    00:00 Welcome to Benefits TV: Discussing Gen Z's Workplace Benefits
    00:40 Casual Banter: Weather, Baseball, and Family Life
    03:41 Diving Into Gen Z's Top 5 Expected Benefits from Employers
    06:12 Exploring the Surprises in Gen Z's Benefit Preferences
    16:58 The Importance of Financial Wellness and Emergency Savings
    21:00 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement to Engage with Benefits Advisors

    Contact us:

    Andrew McNeil - AndrewM@arrowbenefitsgroup.com

    Rosario Avila - RosarioA@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
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    22 min
  • Rate Increases and Renewals: Strategic Planning for 2024 Benefits

    Rate Increases and Renewals: Strategic Planning for 2024 Benefits
    Feb 12 2024
    In this episode of BenefitsTV The Podcast, co-hosts Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avila discuss the challenges experienced by organizations with open enrollment and benefits compliance at the tail end of 2023 and the start of 2024. They highlight important factors like communication to employees, early strategic planning, and proper understanding of the range of options to handle issues like rate increases. They also dive into a commonly found issue where some employers often confuse certain documents or overlook certain procedures which could lead to potential compliance problems, affecting even smaller employers. The hosts encourage employers to ask more questions and start strategic conversations early with their brokers, and also offer their audience to reach out to them for free audits to ensure compliance. They stress the importance of staying updated on changing requirements due to changes in company size as well.

    00:03 Introduction and Welcome
    00:36 Discussing Open Enrollment Challenges
    02:08 Exploring Employer Experiences
    04:24 The Importance of Communication in Benefits
    06:13 Exploring Different Benefits Options
    09:38 The Importance of Benefits Compliance
    15:26 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

    Andrew McNeil - AndrewM@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
    Rosario Avila - RosarioA@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
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    17 min
  • 2024: A Success Guide for Employers in the New Year

    2024: A Success Guide for Employers in the New Year
    Jan 9 2024
    New Year, New Beginnings: Embracing Changes in 2024

    In this episode of Benefits tv, co-hosts Andrew McNeil and Rosario Abela discuss their first podcast of the new year. They talk about the importance of adapting to the changing norms, particularly in the work landscape. Specific topics included the need for improved communication and education regarding benefits programs, simplifying the employee experience, and embracing workplace flexibility.

    00:11 Introduction and New Year Greetings
    01:00 Reflecting on the Previous Year
    01:38 New Year Resolutions and Changes
    02:22 Covid-19 and its Impact
    03:03 School Policies during Covid-19
    04:01 Stanley Cup Craze
    06:56 Beanie Baby Craze of the Nineties
    09:09 NFTs and Other Recent Trends
    09:31 Remembering Important Dates
    09:56 Discussing Insurance and the Success Guide for Employers in the New Year
    10:17 Highlighting Key Points from the Monthly Column
    11:16 Communicate and Educate Your Benefits Program
    15:58 Simplify the Employee Experience
    19:52 Embrace Workplace Flexibility
    24:29 Concluding Thoughts and Looking Forward

    Andrew McNeil - AndrewM@arrowbenefitsgroup.com

    Rosario Avila - RosarioA@arrowbenefitsgroup.com
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    26 min