Heavy metal is good for your health! 

No, not literal heavy metals, which can be toxic and problematic, but heavy metal music. Heavy metal music is a great way to lower blood pressure and believe it or not, reduce anxiety. Experts say  that some of the topics sung or screamed about in heavy metal music help fans of the music genre release aggression and deal with some of the existential challenges we all face in our lives.

The United States’ high-priced health care system, which includes health care and insurance, affects everyone, sick or well. It has reduced individual spending power for several decades. Salaries for American workers have risen, but net pay has stayed the same because of increasing charges for health insurance.
 
So, what exactly makes the health care system in the U.S. so expensive? It depends on who you are asking.

The concept of a Health Savings Accounts (HSA) was established by Congress in 2003 to allow individuals and families to save for and pay for medical expenses with tax preferred money.

The tax preferences are significant. In fact, HSAs are “triple tax” preferred, which means:

1. Money you invest into an account is tax deductible.
2. Money that is in your HSA may be invested and the income from that investment is tax free.
3. Money that is spent from your HSA on qualified medical expenses also is tax free.
   

Would you agree that your employees are the best asset for your small business? Hopefully you answered with a resounding YES! It’s important for employers to encourage healthy habits at the office that lead to good heart health.
 
Building a healthy workplace and workforce has a number of benefits such as: increased productivity, less absenteeism and ample health-spend savings for both employees and employers. Some health plans – like Allied National’s Freedom Plans – even offer a refund at the end of a healthy plan year. 
 
February is American Heart Month and so we came up with five easy ways to keep your employees happy and heart healthy.

Download our infographic at the end of this blog.

Employers looking for an easy, affordable way to add value to their employee benefits packages should consider adding dental and vision benefits to their group health plans.

According to Willis Towers Watson’s 2019/2020 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey, 42% of employees would sacrifice additional pay each month for a more expansive health benefit plan, a sharp increase from 27% in 2013.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has had a profound impact on small group health insurance. Rates have increased significantly as a result of the ACA. These rate increases have been particularly difficult for small groups.

This is where a level-funded health plan could be a good fit for your small business.

The new year is finally here and also a new round of Federal Government COVID relief. Thankfully, there is help available for your small business.

Get ready for round two of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
 
Smaller businesses that did not receive a PPP loan the first time around could begin to apply on Monday, Jan. 11. Those that did receive one of the original loans can apply for a second PPP loan beginning today, Wednesday, Jan. 13, provided they meet eligibility requirements.

At the beginning of 2020, no one could have predicted what was in store for all of us. However, through these challenging times, Allied still had reasons to be proud. Take a look at our Top 10 highlights of what was quite possibly the craziest year ever.

The holiday season can be the most stressful time of year in the best of years with its office parties and gatherings with friends and family, in addition to extra shopping, holiday festivities and dining out. This year, we can add the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic to the mix and, with that said, it’s time to get creative and change things up in order to stay healthy and enjoy this time of year.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) date back to 1980 when the first PPO was organized to provide contracted rate medical care to a health plan. For providing “steerage” toward the medical providers in the PPO network, the providers granted discounted rates for their services to the health plan.

Over the years, PPOs have changed and morphed into multiple variations, but the end result is the same – health plan members are steered toward PPO providers for their medical care and given favorable discounted rates.

The advantage of this type of arrangement is very obvious – it’s price.