Voluntary Benefits Built for the Modern Employer
The growth of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) is transforming the way employers approach voluntary benefits. As more organizations move away from traditional group health plans, employees are gaining greater flexibility in selecting their medical coverage. However, many employees are also finding themselves exposed to higher deductibles, larger out-of-pocket expenses, and coverage gaps that […]
15 Jul, 2026
2026 ACA Open Enrollment Trends Show Market Stabilization and Strategic Opportunity
The 2026 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment results reflect a market that is evolving rather than contracting. While headline figures point to a modest decline in total enrollment, the broader data signals stabilization following several years of rapid growth. At the same time, shifts in plan selection and eligibility are increasing consumer exposure to […]
30 Apr, 2026
A Smarter Way to Buy Health Insurance: Balancing Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Risk
For individuals purchasing their own health insurance, the decision often feels like a compromise. Plans with lower monthly premiums typically come with higher deductibles, while more comprehensive options can strain a household budget. As healthcare costs continue to rise, this tradeoff has become more pronounced—and more consequential. A more effective approach is to move beyond […]
19 Mar, 2026
Introducing medZERO: A New Way to Manage Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs with FlexBenefits
Communicating for America (CA) is excited to introduce medZERO—the newest membership benefit now available to all individuals enrolled in FlexBenefits supplemental insurance plans. This innovative program gives members a simpler, stress-free way to manage out-of-pocket healthcare costs with no interest, no fees, and no credit checks.* A $1,500 Safety Net—Built Into Your FlexBenefits Membership Every […]
11 Dec, 2025
How OBBBA Impacts Health Insurance — What It Gets Right and What’s Missing
As the Trump administration implements the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), there are meaningful implications for the health insurance marketplace—especially around Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). While the bill strengthens several consumer-focused tax strategies, it falls short on supporting employer innovation through Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). HSA Provisions: Expanded Eligibility and Flexibility The […]
10 Jul, 2025
One Simple, Very Important Health Insurance Phrase People Don’t Know About
What are metal plans? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced “metal plans”—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—to help consumers compare coverage options based on the level of cost-sharing they offer. Each plan covers a set percentage, meaning policyholders are responsible for paying a portion of all healthcare costs out-of-pocket. Understanding the cost balance and the annual […]
6 Nov, 2024
How Supplemental Insurance Can Complement ACA Plans
FlexBenefits supplemental insurance products are designed to go hand-in-hand with Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans FlexBenefits works by providing additional financial protections for individuals who may still face significant out-of-pocket medical expenses. Although ACA plans offer essential health benefits and protect against major medical costs, there are still upfront high deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, which […]
25 Oct, 2024
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