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As the challenges mount for benefits advisers to prove their value to clients, one of the main questions I think we should consider is can we help HR? And if so, how? What are the solutions that help HR be more effective to their organizations? Is it possible that benefits advisers might be able to help HR have a more strategic “seat at the table”?
February 8
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Common sense seems to be in short supply these days, especially when it comes to application of the rules under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Here’s a case in point: we’ve heard that some accountants have made the Act’s so-called Cadillac Tax a focus point of their current accounting protocol for retiree health plans.
February 7 -
Do your clients have a process in place to comply with the laws that regulate their health plans? If the answer is no, then by default your compliance strategy recommendation to them is “keep your head down and hope you don’t get caught.” While this approach may actually be appealing to some overworked HR Managers, others in the organization, such as the CFO or CEO, may not be happy if they discover that federal law is
February 2 -
We’ve all seen the research data documenting the positive effects that benefits have on employee morale. However, in today’s age of shrinking benefits and rising premiums, employees are likely missing the forest for the trees. During last year’s open enrollment, most employers likely had to raise their employee cost-share, increase their medical deductible, offer a new CDHP or all of the above. Employees can perceive these types of changes as takeaways and/or benefit reductions, resulting in
February 1 -
Can you imagine a world where the new norm required insurers and providers to disclose what they charge upfront? Read as Mark Gaunya, president of the Massachusetts Association of Health Underwriters, shares two specific messages he took to the Hill at the Cap Conference and the outcome.
January 30 -
Do you have an action plan for complying with the Wage Theft Protection Act by February 1? Read in todays BeAdvised as EBA contributor Ken Moyle shares three areas New York employers must comply with under the WTPA.
January 26 -
Is every business a potential client? The answer depends on who you ask and where you are in your business evolution. Thinking back to my humble beginning . . . every business was a potential client. If they were moving I went after them! There was no target market. There was no ideal size, industry or appropriate corporate culture.
January 24 -
This month I wanted to discuss strategic alliances as a strategy for broadening your practice capabilities and potentially changing your business model. In an ideal world, a strategic alliance will permit you to enhance your value proposition and your client offering without having to build or buy the resources, skills, and capabilities. Are any of you contemplating an alliance right now? It seems like it is a timely topic and that it’s prudent to at
January 23 -
Happy New Year! Are you pumped up for the New Year? Okay, I have to admit I am running out of juicy material for my ethics blog posts. So heres my request for help from you. Leave your responses in the comments. In your opinion: What ethical issues does our industry need to address? What is the biggest ethical challenge you have ever faced? Do you have an ethical challenge in your business practice now? What do you feel is
January 19 -
Did you make a resolution at the start of this year? If so, youre in good company. About 4 out of 10 Americans make resolutions each year. While you are setting goals to lose weight, exercise more, and spend more time with the kids, how about making one or two resolutions that can help you and your client improve your benefits communications? Here are a few ideas to
January 18