PEO Tips From PEO-Pros.com

In this issue we have some special announcements and some tips. We also continue with the worker's comp discussion and excellent health insurance/plan tips from PEO Pros Benefits Administrator Pam Gass.

Reminder! A networking after hours will be held 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5:30 pm, at the Office Suites Plus. Food and beverage will be donated. Sponsored by PEO Pros and the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. All invited! The next networking meeting is on April 19th.

Our Sales Manager Pamela Gass has released her new website – http://pamelagass.com!

Please be sure to visit early and often for updates on the PEO industry and Central Florida networking events.

John Will Tenney, Property & Casualty Insurance Agent for PEO Pros

Worker’s Comp companies are authorized to offer credits for performing certain risk-reducing activities. In Florida, for example, having a written safety program in place entitles you to a 2% discount on gross premium.

A Drug-Free Workplace gets you a whopping 5% discount in the sunshine state. Why? Because history has shown that a large amount of claims involve use of illegal drugs on the job. In order to be eligible for the drug-free credit you must perform post-accident drug testing at a minimum. Some industries (such as aviation and security) require pre-employment screening and random testing as well.

The best way to earn a good discount on your comp policy is favorable loss history. Employers are eligible to earn an experience modifier (mod) after two complete years in business, where they have paid over $5,000 in premium each year, or at least $10,000 in premium one year. A credit mod is very desirable, and is depicted as a multiplier (i.e. - .85 would indicate you pay only 85% of premium, or a 15% discount.)

Conversely, employers with bad loss history may be issued a debit mod, which would be a multiplier greater than 1 (i.e. – 1.15, a 15% penalty.)

Last time we discussed the difference between co-pay and co-insurance. This time we will talk about enrollment periods and section 125 administration. As always, if you have any questions for me or my staff, please contact me at http://PamelaGass.com or http://www.PEOPros.com and we will get you an answer ASAP.

Q - Why can I only enroll or change benefits under certain circumstances? They are my benefits, Shouldn’t I be able to make changes whenever I want?

A - The IRS allows (certain) benefits to be deducted pre-tax, so they have placed regulations around when they can be changed or elected, this is otherwise know as Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. This allows the IRS to monitor the benefits and prevents employees from changing coverage too frequently, thus creating an administrative burden for employers or administrators. To learn about the Qualifying Status Changes that allow you to change benefit elections, contact your Benefits Administrator

PEO Pros takes away the Headaches!
Diane Persaud at SouthEast Hardwood Floors.

"I love the fact that I don't have to calculate taxes anymore or run to the bank to deal with payroll. It really helps to take the load off! My contact at PEO Pros and our PEO has been great! Any employee issue or question I have is usually resolved very quickly"

(If you would like to have your testimonial printed here, please contact our office.)



	PEO Tips for April 6, 2006 In this issue we have some special announcements and some tips. We also continue with the worker's comp discussion and excellent health insurance/plan tips from PEO Pros Benefits Administrator Pam Gass. *Networking After Hours* Reminder! A networking after hours will be held 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5:30 pm, at the Office Suites Plus. Food and beverage will be donated. Sponsored by PEO Pros and the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. All invited! The next networking meeting is on April 19th. *New Website* Our Sales Manager Pamela Gass has released her new website – http://pamelagass.com! Please be sure to visit early and often for updates on the PEO industry and Central Florida networking events. John Will Tenney, Property & Casualty Insurance Agent for PEO Pros Worker’s Comp companies are authorized to offer credits for performing certain risk-reducing activities. In Florida, for example, having a written safety program in place entitles you to a 2% discount on gross premium. A Drug-Free Workplace gets you a whopping 5% discount in the sunshine state. Why? Because history has shown that a large amount of claims involve use of illegal drugs on the job. In order to be eligible for the drug-free credit you must perform post-accident drug testing at a minimum. Some industries (such as aviation and security) require pre-employment screening and random testing as well. The best way to earn a good discount on your comp policy is favorable loss history. Employers are eligible to earn an experience modifier (mod) after two complete years in business, where they have paid over $5,000 in premium each year, or at least $10,000 in premium one year. A credit mod is very desirable, and is depicted as a multiplier (i.e. - .85 would indicate you pay only 85% of premium, or a 15% discount.) Conversely, employers with bad loss history may be issued a debit mod, which would be a multiplier greater than 1 (i.e. – 1.15, a 15% penalty.) *The ABC's of Benefits, Part 4* Pamela Gass, Benefits Administrator for PEO Pros Last time we discussed the difference between co-pay and co-insurance. This time we will talk about enrollment periods and section 125 administration. As always, if you have any questions for me or my staff, please contact me at http://PamelaGass.com or http://www.PEOPros.com and we will get you an answer ASAP. We want to be a valuable resource for your benefit needs! Q - Why can I only enroll or change benefits under certain circumstances? They are my benefits, Shouldn’t I be able to make changes whenever I want? A - The IRS allows (certain) benefits to be deducted pre-tax, so they have placed regulations around when they can be changed or elected, this is otherwise know as Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. This allows the IRS to monitor the benefits and prevents employees from changing coverage too frequently, thus creating an administrative burden for employers or administrators. To learn about the Qualifying Status Changes that allow you to change benefit elections, contact your Benefits Administrator Next issue we will discuss HMOs and PPOs. PEO Pros takes away the Headaches! Diane Persaud at SouthEast Hardwood Floors. "I love the fact that I don't have to calculate taxes anymore or run to the bank to deal with payroll. It really helps to take the load off! My contact at PEO Pros and our PEO has been great! Any employee issue or question I have is usually resolved very quickly" (If you would like to have your testimonial printed here, please contact our office.) We'd like to thank our resource partners: Scott Kidd with No Joke Biz The East Orlando Chamber of Commerce Jeff Bosworth and his staff at Sales Growth Group Listen to us on Thursdays, Marketing 2 Win! Radio show – 11am on WORL 660 AM