BenefitConnect vs Ease

BenefitConnect is WTW’s benefits administration platform for employee benefits, with web and mobile access for employees and retirees. Users can check balances, upload receipt photos, submit claims, and initiate inquiries through a portal or app. WTW says users can contact professionals through the app, online portal, call center, or automated help desk. The platform supports medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, and HRA plans. HSA, FSA, and HRA balances can appear through a web service call, and Benefits Accounts supports single sign-on with BenefitConnect. WTW also lists tested eligibility files and automated closure of non-valid HSA accounts. APIs can make information such as wellness credits, year-to-date claims, and required actions available to employees. Client-chosen wellbeing vendors can connect through established data exchange standards. BenefitConnect | COBRA is a separate multi-client version, with round-the-clock employer administration and participant self-service for elections, life events, and annual enrollment. WTW says its COBRA service combines ACA 6055/6056 reporting data with active population data.

Ease is a broker-powered benefits administration and HR platform for small businesses, including businesses with two employees. It is available on Android, iOS and the web. The Pro tier includes online enrollment, rate quoting, onboarding, marketing tools and renewal assistance. Agency adds plan libraries, compensation statements, client management reports, EOI management, third-party EDI apps and EaseConnect 834; Enterprise adds custom reports, single sign-on, carrier-specific census and point-in-time reporting. EaseConnect and EaseConnect+ provide direct carrier connections for enrollment updates, additions and changes. The marketplace spans HR tools, telemedicine, payroll, compliance resources, enrollment assistance, COBRA management and identity protection partners. Named payroll integrations include ADP Workforce Now, Heartland, Paycor, Paylocity and RUN Powered by ADP. Pricing is on request; payroll integration costs and setup fees vary by partner and typically range from $0 to $1.50 PEPM. Optional Modernize costs $1 PEPM for brokers to enable and $2 PEPM for employers; ACA compliance is listed at $6 per employee per form per year. Ease offers support by chat, phone, video, Help Center and Ease Academy. Its security page mentions plans to sunset the platform in 2027.