Quality Sleep Incentive -- $avings for All - Flexible Spending Accounts

A Healthcare  Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a reimbursement account offered by an increasing number of employers. It allows you to set aside money for healthcare costs from your paycheck before taxes are taken out. The advantage is that you are spending pre-tax dollars so you end up paying fewer taxes on your salary and having more to spend. Plus you can access your entire year's worth of contributions at the start of your company's plan year.With an FSA you can be reimbursed for dollars spent on eligible healthcare expenses that are not paid for by healthcare insurance. Eligible expenses can vary by employer so it is important to check with your FSA Administrator or Human Resources Department however you may find this example guide helpful: Spending Account Eligible Expense Guide

Because Naturally Organic Sleep's Custom Sleep Systems provide a natural, allergy-free sleep environment and require a prescription since we do not add the harmful, yet required-by-law fire-retardant chemicals, our custom mattresses are FSA eligible. We have many customers who have been referred by their Chiropractic Clinic, Allergist or General Practitioner, and are overjoyed to write a prescription for a mattress that will alleviate unwanted symtoms and allow them to sleep soundly, in a toxin free environment.

FSA's can be beneficial to employees and employers--the company can save money on payroll and tout an FSA as a great benefit, and both can save on social security taxes. Plus, if used  correctly, an FSA can help to offset out-of-pocket medical expenses and pay for monthly health insurance premiums. You can even use different types of FSAs to pay for your day-to-day expenses of caring for a dependent or to cover adoption expenses.

There are many benefits for employees with flexible spending accounts. Employers are responsible for opening and maintaining the accounts and they pay all of the fees associated with the accounts. And, using pre-tax income helps lower income taxes, but there is always the inevitable catch: If you put more money into the account than you can spend on eligible expenses in the year, that money is forfeited. Be careful planning and realize that flex spending can be used in more places than one might think. Many health expenses, like our custom sleep systems and bedding now qualify as eligible for reimbursement through FSA.

Employees are paying a high price for too little sleep when it comes to work productivity, according to new statistics from the Better Sleep Council. Respondents to the BSC's 2007 Better Sleep Month Survey, conducted this May, reported an alarming decline in quality of work, poor judgment and trouble retaining information as the top work-related consequences from lack of sleep. In fact 44 percent said they were likely to be in an unpleasant mood -- all bad news for employers, employees and customers. 

As an Employer, HR Professional or Employee, if you are interested in finding out how Naturally Organic Sleep can help you be part of a more tuned-in, productive workforce please contact us and we will outline our healthcare and sleep incentive programs. We will come to your facility, at no charge and conduct an interactive sleep presantation that will prove to be informative, fun and results-oriented.

Poor Sleep Affecting Accuracy & Attitude on the Job

Some believe that you can accomplish more if you sleep less but "limited sleep can affect every aspect of life -  including job performance",  said Dr. Bert Jacobson, Better Sleep Month spokesperson and author of the new study:  Subjective Rating of Perceived Back Pain, Stiffness and Sleep Quality Following Introduction of Medium-Firm Bedding Systems. "In fact, sleep deprivation impacts you level of awareness, your productivity and your ability to socially interact with collegues." 

Studies estimate that sleep deprivation currently costs US Businesses nearly $150 billion annually in absenteeism & lost productivity. Seems that an employee sleep assistance program, might be well worth looking into.