Strengthen Your Benefit Package with Voluntary Benefits

Strengthen Your Benefit Package with Voluntary Benefits - Valley Schools

According to Bankrate’s Financial Security Index, January 2019, 60% of Americans don’t have savings available to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense such as a deductible. The Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research & Education Trust in their 2018 Employer Health Benefits Survey found that 58% of Americans with health insurance have a deductible of $1,000 or more. Taken together, more than half … Read More

The Role of Telemental Services in Healthcare

Patient talking to doctor over the computer

Technology continues to advance our access to care in the form of telemental services. What Are Telemental Services? Like telemedicine that allows members to access practitioners to remedy acute care situations such as colds, rashes, or minor infections, telemental health solutions have moved into the digital age.  With the demands on balancing work, home, family, and self-care, telemental services offer … Read More

Truth or Myth: Chronic Diseases

MYTH: The cause of chronic diseases are either unknown or due to genetics and are beyond our control. TRUTH: The health of the gut plays a significant role in the development of such diseases, and many lifestyle factors can positively affect disease outcome. Defined broadly, chronic diseases are conditions that require ongoing treatment or management and are unlikely to have … Read More

Voluntary Benefits: The Cherry on Top

cherry on top

An ice cream sundae just isn’t the same without the shiny cherry, and while medical benefits are employee’s #1 priority, voluntary benefits make the complete options package more appealing.  As your full-service, benefits consultant, Valley Schools is here to help point you in the right direction on choosing the right voluntary plans for your organization.  Ancillary or voluntary benefits are … Read More

Medical Research: Truth or Myth?

A doctor is holding a stethoscope for medical research

Myth: All medical recommendations are made based on research that is up-to-date, and absent of error. Truth: Healthcare and medical research are flawed due to outside pressure and influence. If you have been following our myth-busters, then you are aware that the information in them does not always align with the recommendations that come from credible organizations like the American … Read More

Using Your Health Carrier’s Cost Comparisons Tool

A patient is going through an MRI machine health carrier

That MRI Costs HOW MUCH?!  If you’ve been one of the unlucky ones who know how much a knee or chest MRI impacts your wallet, you probably have had an unfortunate experience of sticker shock. If you are on a PPO or Copay Plan, diagnostic testing isn’t something we think much about as it’s likely only a $20-50 dollar copay. … Read More

What’s the Doctor got to do with it?

A stethoscope with a heart against it Relationship

Have you ever considered how much influence the relationship with your health care provider has on your health? When selecting a healthcare provider to work with, are there certain things you look for, or standards you have? Or is it merely, check the task box of things such as: they’re in network, the office is near me, and/or I can … Read More

Welcome to Summer!

A person is standing in front of a bright sunset valley schools

Valley Schools welcomes you to the Benefits Broadcast, showcasing timely topics and updates relating to your membership. We are passionate about serving our members and helping them live their best lives. Your Benefits Account Management and Wellness Team are always available to answer questions and provide detail on any of the topics and resources listed below. Health and Happiness from … Read More

Should You Consider Self-Funding?

A pen and calculator on top of a spreadsheet going over self-funding

If you are a public sector employer of 200 or more benefit-eligible employees, self-funding, or self-insuring your medical and pharmacy plan(s) is an essential option to consider. Let’s compare fully insured to self-insured plans: Fully Insured Self-Insured •       Insurance company dictates the cost of the monthly premium to the employer •       Employee/Employer pays a set monthly premium •       Insurance company … Read More

Factoring Health Care Costs into Your Retirement

A calculator and pen on top of a spreadsheet going over health care costs

If you’re contemplating and planning for retirement, there is much to consider. The basics come to mind first, housing, food, transportation, travel to “bucket list” locales, gifts for the grandkids and – last but certainly not least – health care.    You may want to move health care to the top of that list. A study released earlier this year … Read More