What 2026 open enrollment reveals about cost pressures ahead
Advisers say the health insurance market could stay hardened in 2027 and beyond amid greater involvement in benefit design strategies from executive teams.
Adviser strategies
OE look-back: Advisers reach a cost tipping point in 2026
Benefit advisers unpack their latest client experiences helping employers respond to a hardening group health insurance market and employee education challenges.
Avoid IRS penalties: How advisers can streamline federal filings
Handing off clients to an e-filing expert can help reduce administrative strain while allowing HR and benefits teams to focus on employee support and plan strategy.
Cash-pay option expands care access
Sidecar Health's approach removes barriers associated with provider network restrictions, prior authorization, formularies and step care.
How to close the LTC insurance gap
Alternatives to costly standalone long-term care insurance include hybrid life policies with an LTC rider, extended premium payment periods and annuities.
This adviser coaches ex-NFL players on health insurance
Gina Downs does the blocking and tackling for retired athletes and their families when it comes to accessing medical and behavioral healthcare.
Validation Institute recognizes advisers who meet ERISA fiduciary standards
The Validation Institute has put its stamp of approval on a dozen benefit advisers with a fee-based model that avoids conflicts of interest.
Benefits ‘Shark Tank’ hedges bets on next big innovator
At the upcoming You Powered Symposium, vendors compete for $50,000 and investment in their benefit solution.
Benefits Think Block strategy lays foundation for a successful book
Savvy brokers are building scalable, strategic momentum with coordinated, high-performing blocks that feature the right employers.
Jeb Dunkelberger
ClearPoint Health
Report suggests need to improve advisers’ AI experiences
Nearly half of brokers say their clients are actively requesting insights on AI tools, but most lack the infrastructure to adopt them.
This adviser wants insurance plans to cover the therapy that saved her life
Cally Ideus's nonprofit aims to bring an alternative treatment that helped her recover after military tours of duty into the medical mainstream.
Family feuds: Advisers navigate beneficiary designation disputes
Mindful of cumbersome rules and the potential for blended-family feuds, advisers can help take the lead on keeping the peace for benefit plan participants.
Expanding HSA eligibility could pay for GLP-1s
With about 7 million additional Americans expected to sign up for HSAs, these vehicles can help finance costly GLP-1s.
Beyond health benefits: Growing need seen for estate planning services
As many as 70% of Americans don't have a will, trust, health or funeral directive as the nation gears up for its largest wealth transfer ever.
Personalized benefits drive retention amid ‘Silver Tsunami’
Advisers can help employers compete for C-suite talent amid major demographic shifts by highlighting nonqualified plans to supplement core benefits.
Preparing for open enrollment: Growing demands give rise to fiduciary advising
Pressure continues to mount on producers to deliver more customized benefit packages and consultative services to satisfy the needs of more demanding clients.
Preparing for open enrollment: This adviser backs hyper-personalized messaging
Brown & Brown's Erika Illiano suggests finding the right decision-support tool and constructing a compelling narrative around various coverage options.
Benefits Think Time to transcend the comfortable and conventional
Self-funding, network steerage and gap funding require advisers willing to step out of cruise control and into a more consultative, engaged role.
Brian Lacher
Mammoth Insurance Solutions
Preparing for open enrollment: Benefits literacy a linchpin for success
Advisers can do a better job equipping employees with the knowledge they need to make better benefit choices.
Preparing for open enrollment: Generational tipping point shaping adviser strategies
Communication challenges will include personalizing benefit messaging to five generations working side by side, and designing affordable healthcare coverage.
