Sarah Ocampo, Author at Vizance

In recent years we have seen new laws, rules and regulations that have significantly impacted almost every aspect of employee benefits – from the benefits an employer can offer to how those benefits are offered and the programs administered. In the ever-changing world of employee benefits knowing the current and applicable rules and maintaining compliance can be a daunting task for employers. We want to help. Join us for our fall webinar series when Beth Ward, Vizance’s Compliance Attorney, will address several common issues affecting employee benefit plans. Beth will discuss the legal issues and practical concerns surrounding the issues and discuss strategies to help employers be compliant.

Thank you to our associates who have again made us a Best Place to Work! The Milwaukee Business Journal has named Vizance to the Best Places to Work list again this year.

The Milwaukee Business Journal recently released the 2017 list of Fastest Growing Firms, and Vizance was honored to be part of the list. The companies named to the list are those with the highest percentages of growth for the past three years.

Vizance is honored to have been named a Top Workplace by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, placing 4th in our category. We are also the proud recipient of the Ethics Award, which indicates that our associates firmly believe that our company operates by strong values and ethics. Thank you to our associates for providing feedback and for making Vizance a Top Workplace!

As required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is a new version of the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) that all health insurers need to provide to their group health plan clients. The new SBC template includes an additional coverage example as well as language and terms to improve individuals' understanding of their health coverage. The updated template improves readability and includes more information about cost sharing, enhanced language to explain deductibles, and requires plans to address individual and overall out-of-pocket limits. The new version of the SBC must be distributed to all eligible individuals and beneficiaries beginning on the first day of the first open enrollment period that begins on or after April 1, 2017. This means that upon your next renewal, the new SBC’s should be distributed to your employees.

Under Section 125 and HIPAA Special Enrollment rules, changes to elections for group health insurance are generally not permitted. However, there are specific instances when employees can make midyear election changes. In this session we will review the election changes that are permitted, and are not permitted, under the rules. We will cover topics such as: Qualifying events Special enrollment periods Changes in number of hours worked Written plans that allow mid-year election changes Potential penalties Benefits Elections Webinar: Tuesday, March 28th, 2017 1:30 to 2:30 pm Webinar – Login information will be provided RSVP to Joanna Baisch at (262) 563 5457 or register@vizance.com

Vizance continues its growth with the addition of Valley Insurance Associates. The combined organization gives Vizance a geographic market stretching from Southeastern Wisconsin up through Northeastern Wisconsin, encompassing the entire Fox Valley. “We recently changed our name from RC Insurance Services to Vizance, to help position our agency for accelerated growth,” explained Jeff Cardenas, President of Vizance. “This partnership follows our intent to grow Vizance strategically, and we are excited by the capacity that Valley Insurance Associates adds to our outstanding team.” “The cultures among Vizance and Valley Insurance Associates are a perfect fit, and that’s what attracted us to Valley,” Vizance Vice President Dimas Ocampo said. “We succeed by our culture. We want to create the very best workplace for our associates and be the very best partner for our clients’ financial security.” Founded in 1990, Valley Insurance Associates offers business insurance, home and auto insurance, employee benefits and individual health insurance, including Medicare. Valley Insurance Associates will continue to operate under that name from its office locations in Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay and Kaukauna. More information is available here.

Author: Sarah Ocampo

Vizance Insight Series: Employee Benefit Plan Issues and Compliance – What Employers Need to Know

Vizance is Part of Best Places to Work List

Vizance on Fastest Growing Firms List

Vizance Named to Top Workplaces List; Wins Ethics Award

Changes to SBC Forms

Benefits Elections: What Can You Change, When & Why

Vizance Continues Its Growth With Addition of Insurance Agency Serving Fox Valley Area