Today, a question about health insurance came up. Our own. And nobody could answer it. (Like many employees, we ask each other first rather than seek out HR.)

What if, when employees had a question, the employer’s benefits page had a Siri clone that would answer the question based on all the data it had about an employee’s situation?

We’re not there yet. Still, we see the industry creating and embracing technology with every new day.

Document tool for ERISA compliance

A cloud-based document generator tool for brokers and agents is now available from Infinisource Benefit Services. Its goal is to help brokers keep clients compliant with ERISA reporting requirements. The POP/ERISA Document Generator lets you create and print complete Premium Only Plan and ERISA documents from an online portal.

Online benefits exchange

For brokers and agents looking to provide additional programs to employers, benefit product provider LiDAC is offering Legal Club’s Group Legal and ID Theft products for quoting, implementation, and enrollment. Service agreements are issued and group installed immediately through LiDAC.com Online Broker Employee Benefits Exchange.

Uber-like tool for allocating nurses

Some are predicting a future shortage of nurses. But with intelligent scheduling, the supply of nurses can perhaps be more efficiently allocated. Intelenet Global Services has launched Radius, a scheduling tool to help organizations use data and analytics to better schedule nursing staff.

Code generator for ACA reporting

ACA reporting tool provider Greatland says businesses are often confused about ACA compliance -- especially when filling out Form 1095-C. Those pesky lines 14-16 on Form 1095-C can be so frustrating, that companies sometimes pay third parties to calculate the codes for them. So Greatland is offering a free ACA Code Generator tool. Answer some questions and it will help you find the correct codes to enter.

Worried about deadlines? Greatland also notes, “The IRS has issued a 30-day extension for employers and issuers to provide individuals with forms reporting on offers of health coverage and coverage provided. The due dates for 1095-B and 1095-C deadlines are as follows: February 28, 2017 for paper 1095 forms filed to the IRS, March 2, 2017 for 1095 copies to be sent to recipients and employees and March 31, 2017 to e-file 1095 forms to the IRS.”

Learning tool for employees

A tool to help employees remember what they learned in training has been released by Bridge by Instructure. The tool, Bridge Retain, offers learning opportunities and quizzes, along with immediate feedback. It can be added to any course, and administrators can get reports about whether employees are retaining their learning. Along with the tool, the company is launching a course on memory designed and delivered by Jeopardy! star Ken Jennings.

Instant Insights /

Tools brief: Benefits exchange, ACA reporting, employee training

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