BerniePortal Broker Blog

What Benefits Brokers Should Know About HIPAA, Data Breaches, & Compliance

Germeen Tanas | May 15, 2024

In 2019, an insurance brokerage started notifying healthcare providers about a data breach after a business associate discovered that the protected...

What Is the Difference Between a Fully-Funded and Self-Funded Health Plan?

Mary Chauvin | May 14, 2024

Your employer groups have a couple options when it comes to insurance. They can opt to be fully-funded or self-funded. But—how do you know what type...

How to Leverage AI As a Benefits Broker

Germeen Tanas | May 8, 2024

The most rapidly emerging technology of today is Generative AI, which is a type of artificial intelligence that uses patterns and algorithms to...

Broker Considerations for PEPs

Germeen Tanas | May 2, 2024

Established by the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE), PEPs operate as a type of open multiple employer plan (MEP),...

Common Qualities HR Looks for in a Broker

Mary Chauvin | April 16, 2024

Gaining clients is one of your main priorities. As a broker, you know this. But—have you ever thought about what your clients' main priorities are?...

Benefits Brokers Are the First Line of Defense for Educational Efforts

Aidan Farrish | April 2, 2024

If you’re a benefits broker working with small to midsized employers, you’re the one who HR should be able to lean on for benefits education.

Can SMBs Afford Paid Parental Leave?

Germeen Tanas | April 2, 2024

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide 12 workweeks of unpaid leave to their...

Optimizing Technology to Provide Great Service for Benefits Agencies

Aidan Farrish | March 29, 2024

Successful benefits brokerages all rely on providing their clients with great, reliable service. While this is a given, oftentimes, what isn’t is how...

Is Your Client Eligible for COBRA Continuation Coverage?

Aidan Farrish | March 27, 2024

Great brokers are more than benefits coordinators for their clients. They serve as trusted advisors, extensions of employer teams that offer expert...

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Successful First Prospect Meeting

Germeen Tanas | March 19, 2024

Regardless of the product or service, any good salesperson will tell you that a strong process is key to earning new business. With these four steps,...