Healthcare

Consumer driven health plans continue to grow in popularity despite a waning impact on cost control, according to preliminary results in a recent United Benefits Advisors survey.

The Obama administration last week issued regulations intended to improve employees’ understanding of their health plan options, as called for by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Although concerned about challenges in the business environment, brokers and consultants are confident they will find a variety of ways to prosper, according to MetLife’s Broker and Consultant Study released last week.

A key recommendation for medical coverage standards under the Obama administration's healthcare overhaul may be issued later than a September deadline, according to the organization preparing the report.

Reflecting uncertain economic conditions and a conservative cost-management environment, U.S. employers are projecting moderate pay raises for employees in 2012. Employers expect to fully fund their annual bonuses for workers this year, as corporate profits have increased, according to new survey data by global professional services company Towers Watson of 773 employers.

A survey measuring use by various state’s departments of insurance of their websites to engage consumers rated California, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio, Texas and Utah as highest in giving consumers access to critical insurance information.

Insurers and employers will have to spell out plainly the costs and benefits of the health plans they offer starting next year.

One of the primary features of the Affordable Care Act is the establishment of state-based health insurance exchanges.

Middle-income baby boomers, those earning between $30,000 and $74,000, are vastly underserved in terms of preparing for retirement, according to a new Insured Retirement Institute report, “Middle-Income Boomers and Retirement: Tapping the Significant and Underserved Middle-Income Market.”

According to Wikipedia, the word transparency implies openness, communication and accountability . . . performing in such a way that it is easy to see what’s wrong. Sounds like our health care system, doesn’t it? Not really and that’s where enormous opportunity exists to “fix” healthcare.