Blog

  • We’re Moving!

    We’re Moving!

    Great news from RAM Benefits! We’re excited to announce our upcoming move to a new location that will allow us to serve you even better. As of April 29th, our new office will be conveniently located at 3500 American Blvd W, Suite 450 in Bloomington, MN 55431. This move signifies our commitment to growth and…

  • Benefits Check-up: 6 Compliance Issues Affecting Your Clients’ Health

    Benefits Check-up: 6 Compliance Issues Affecting Your Clients’ Health

    A health plan is more than a product or service; it’s a relationship. All productive and healthy relationships—especially in the benefits space—rely on trust. When an employer extends trust in a broker or insurance carrier to purchase something as critical as healthcare—for people as critical as their workers and families—we’re obligated to raise all factors…

  • Protect Your Mental Health with an EAP

    Protect Your Mental Health with an EAP

    Mental health isn’t just the absence of illness. It’s a continuum ranging from severe symptoms such as panic attacks and major depression to excellent mental strength and well-being. Sometimes you’re not ill, but you aren’t well either – and you need help.  If you’re feeling down about work or a problem in your life and…

  • Compliance Recap April 2024

    Compliance Recap April 2024

    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION BANS NON-COMPETE CLAUSES On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finalized a rule banning most employers and employees from entering into non-compete clauses, effective 120 days post-publication in the Federal Register. This move aims to eliminate these clauses across all levels of workers, with a narrow exception for senior executives’ pre-existing agreements.…

  • Benefits 101: What Is Hospital Indemnity Insurance?

    Benefits 101: What Is Hospital Indemnity Insurance?

    No matter whether it is anticipated or unexpected, a hospital stay is expensive.  According to HealthCare.gov, the average 3-day hospital stay in the United States costs around $30,000.  Health insurance will cover some of the costs if you are admitted to the hospital, but you may have other out-of-pocket costs.  Hospital Indemnity Insurance can help…

  • 8 Unique Employee Perks That Don’t Require a Big Budget

    8 Unique Employee Perks That Don’t Require a Big Budget

    Free and low-cost employee benefits are perks that don’t cost you much financially. These perks are often simple to provide and help enhance an existing employee benefits package. Including non-traditional benefits in a job offer shows employees your values; they’re a promise to both current and potential employees that you’ll support them and treat them…

  • 2024 UBA Employee Benefits Benchmarking Trends Report

    2024 UBA Employee Benefits Benchmarking Trends Report

    Employers can develop exceptional employee benefit programs and be an employer of choice when they can benchmark against the most comprehensive data from small and large U.S. employers.  Read the 2024 UBA Employee Benefits Benchmarking Trends Report here.

  • Compliance Recap March 2024

    Compliance Recap March 2024

    AFFORDABLE CARE ACT INFORMATION REPORTING Beginning in 2024, most employers obligated to report under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) must file returns electronically by March 31, 2024. Employers filing fewer than 10 returns a year are allowed to use paper filing. Since March 31 falls on a weekend, the deadline this year is April 1,…

  • Health Insurance Basics

    Health Insurance Basics

    Does a Health Plan Typically Pay for Services from Any Doctor? Not always. Some types of plans encourage or require consumers to get care from a specific set of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical service providers who have entered into contracts with the plan to provide items and services at a negotiated rate. The…

  • Health Insurance Basics: Part 3

    Health Insurance Basics: Part 3

    Insurance Costs Consumers typically pay the following types of costs when they have insurance. Premium: The premium is an amount of money a consumer pays for a health insurance plan. The consumer and/or their employer usually make this payment bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. The premium must be paid regardless of how many services, if…