Blog

Emergency Periods Related to COVID-19 to End May 11, 2023

Paul Brooks

Monday, February 6, 2023

On January 30, 2023, the Biden Administration announced its intent to end the Public Health Emergency and the National Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic on May 11, 2023. They are currently set to expire after February 28, 2023 and

2023 Health Care Reform Checklist for Small Fully Insured Plans

Paul Brooks

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made a number of significant reforms to group health plan coverage when it was enacted in 2010. Since then, changes have been made to various ACA requirements that employers should be aware of. These...

2023 Health Care Reform Checklist for Large Fully Insured Plans

Paul Brooks

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Attention: Employers with More than 50 EmployeesThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) made a number of significant reforms to group health plan coverage when it was enacted in 2010. Since then, changes have been made to various ACA...

Benefits Notices for Employers with 2-49 Employees

Paul Brooks

Monday, January 9, 2023

For companies with 2-49 employees, this chart provides an overview of key required benefits notices and filings for employers and plan administrators under federal law. Please note that your company may be exempt from certain...

Benefits Notices: Employers with 50+ Employees

Paul Brooks

Monday, January 9, 2023

For companies with 50+ employees, the charts provided give an overview of key required benefits notices and filings foremployers and plan administrators under federal law. Please note that your company may be exempt from...

RxDC Reporting Relief and Submission Grace Period for 2020/2021

Paul Brooks

Thursday, December 29, 2022

As previously reported, group health plans must submit information annually about prescription drugs and health care spending to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”). This is known as the RxDC reporting requirement and the

Telehealth Relief for HSAs Extended in Last Minute Funding Package

Paul Brooks

Thursday, December 29, 2022

On December 23, 2022, the House passed a 4,155-page funding bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (“CAA- 23”), that includes a two-year extension on telehealth relief for high deductible health plans (“HDHPs”) offered with healt

Parties chart a new course to bring greater value to shared communitiesJohns Hopkins Medicine and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) have agreed to a new multiyear contract to provide high-quality care options while building on...

We are pleased to share our latest Quarterly Market Review & Outlook, which reviews the key developments that impacted markets over the past quarter and offers our perspective on the themes we expect to affect investors going forward...

Medicare Part D Notification Requirements

Paul Brooks

Monday, October 3, 2022

Employers sponsoring a group health plan with prescription drug benefits are required to notify their Medicare-eligible participants and beneficiaries as to whether the drug coverage provided under the plan is "creditable" or ....

Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Rebate checks have recently been or will be mailed by some health insurance carriers. Keep in mind, not all employers will receive an MLR Rebate. Health insurers determine and calculate MLR Rebates based...

We are pleased to share our latest Quarterly Market Review & Outlook, which reviews the key developments that impacted markets over the past quarter and offers our perspective on the themes we expect to affect investors going forward...

We are pleased to share our latest quarterly market review and outlook, which reviews the key developments that impacted markets over the past quarter and offers our perspective on the themes we expect to affect investors going forward...

Workplace Stress

Paul Brooks

Friday, April 22, 2022

Job stress is defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or need of the worker. Learn how to reduce workplace stress.

Benefits Notices for Employers with 2-49 Employees

Paul Brooks

Thursday, April 7, 2022

For companies with 2-49 employees, this chart provides an overview of key required benefits notices and filings for employers and plan administrators under federal law.

Benefit Notices for Employers with More Than 50 employees

Paul Brooks

Thursday, April 7, 2022

For companies with 50+ employees, this chart provides an overview of key required benefits notices and filings for employers and plan administrators under federal law.

HSA/FSA/HRA Comparison Chart

Paul Brooks

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

If you're wondering how an HSA, Health FSA, and a Traditional HRA compare to one another, you'll find this chart to be a helpful tool.

We are pleased to share our latest Market Review & Outlook, which summarizes key developments impacting the global economy and capital markets and offers our perspective on the implications for investors.Our outlook is constructive...

The percentage of older Americans with debt is at its highest level in almost 30 years, and the amount and types of debt are on the rise. In recent years, the increase has largely been driven by the 75-and-older age group – a...

After two years of decreases, interest rates on federal student loans are set to increase almost a full percentage point for the 2021-2022 school year.(1) The interest rates on federal student loans are reset each year after the May...

Despite the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic, American workers and retirees remain largely optimistic about their financial prospects for retirement. In its annual Retirement Confidence Survey conducted in January 2021, the...

If you have qualifying children under the age of 18, you may be able to claim a child tax credit. (You may also be able to claim a partial credit for certain other dependents who are not qualifying children.) The American Rescue Plan...

For information regarding the Blue Cross Blue Shield Class Action Settlement, please use the contact information listed below. Settlement website at www.BCBSsettlement.com (includes FAQs) Settlement phone line 888-681-1142 Settlement...

In our commitment to provide ongoing communication and leadership, we are writing to you today to share the findings of our most recent economic committee meeting of the Freedom Capital Management Strategies®. The quarterly market...

Employer Questions to Consider for COVID-19 Vaccines

Paul Brooks

Thursday, January 21, 2021

As particular COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use and are starting to become more available, employers continue to grapple with how they should (or should not) address the...

Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. While some of the limits remain unchanged for 2021, other key numbers have increased. IRA contribution limits The maximum amount you can contribute to a...

1st Vice President, Jordan Taylor, CFP Jordan Taylor, CFPFor most of our lives, retirement is a distant thought that seems years and years away. Then, as with all things time-related, we find this new phase of life to be just around...

Vice President of Wealth Management, Alec Knight, CFP Alec Knight, CFPAt any given point in time, retiree confidence is an important measurement. People want to know that they will have the funds they need to live comfortably when it...

Brooks Financial Group is a long time supporter of Calvert Hall College High School and their Red C Challenge. In fact, Paul Brooks, President of Brooks Financial Group, is the Challenge's Chairman. Calvert Hall's Red C Challenge was...

Brooks Financial Group, Inc. has been the proud title sponsor of the Turkey Bowl for many years. A community and family tradition for 100 years, the Turkey Bowl football game is held on Thanksgiving Day and features two wonderful local...

Brooks Financial Group, Inc. is proud to announce our role as a Presenting Sponsor in Calvert Hall College High School's 175th Anniversary Year Celebration. The Brooks Financial Group (BFG) family has always maintained strong ties to...