Beyond Sick Leave: Integrating HRAs and Group Health
Managing mandatory sick leave is just one piece of the employee retention puzzle. At Total Benefit Solutions Inc, we believe in a holistic approach. If you’re already paying for mandatory sick leave, you might be looking for ways to balance your budget elsewhere without sacrificing the quality of your benefits.
This is where Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) come into play. HRAs allow employers to reimburse employees for medical expenses (and sometimes premiums) tax-free. They are an excellent tool for small to mid-sized businesses navigating the PA sick leave patchwork.
HRA Plan Design Options for 2026:
- Section 105 HRA (For 1 Employee or Spouse): These plans are not considered "group" plans by the ACA, meaning they escape many of the more restrictive federal mandates. It’s a great way to provide high-level coverage for a very small team.
- Qualified Small Employer HRA (QSE-HRA): Perfect for small businesses that don't offer a traditional group plan. It allows you to reimburse employees for their individual ACA exchange premiums.
- Integrated HRAs (For 2+ Employees): If you have a high-deductible group health plan, you can use an Integrated HRA to pick up a portion of the employee's deductible. This makes your benefits feel "richer" to the employee while keeping your monthly premiums low.
- Excepted Benefit HRA: This specifically covers "Excepted Benefits" like dental, vision, or supplemental insurance premiums. It’s a great "add-on" to show your team you care about their total well-being beyond just a sick day.
By combining a smart HRA design with your mandatory sick leave policy, you create a robust benefits package that attracts top talent while keeping your business's bottom line in check.
Why You Need an Advocate
The rules for group health insurance for employers are constantly shifting. One year the focus is on the Affordable Care Act; the next, it’s a localized sick leave ordinance in Pittsburgh that doubles your accrual requirements.
We act as the helpful intermediary between you and the complex world of insurance bureaucracy. Whether it’s fighting an insurance company that said "no" to a valid claim or helping you shop around to find a plan that integrates perfectly with your new sick leave policy, we are in your corner.
Our commitment is simple: We never accept "no" as an answer when fighting for our clients' rights and benefits.
Disclaimer
This blog post provides a summary of current Pennsylvania local sick leave laws as of June 2026. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Laws can change quickly; we recommend consulting with a legal professional or an insurance advocate at Total Benefit Solutions Inc to ensure your specific business is fully compliant.
Ready to Navigate the Maze?
Don't let a $110-a-day fine or a localized ordinance catch you off guard. Whether you need to set up a Wrap SPD to avoid ACA penalties or you're looking for the best HRA design for your PA-based team, we are here to help.
Contact Total Benefit Solutions Inc today.
Website: www.totalbenefits.net
Phone: (215) 355-2121
Address: 130 Almshouse Rd, Richboro, PA 18954
#PennsylvaniaSickLeave #EmployeeBenefits #SmallBusinessPA #InsuranceAdvocacy #NeverAcceptNo #PhillyBusiness #PittsburghEmployers