Wellness

The Obama administration says it will propose to let employers offer wraparound coverage to certain low-wage employees purchasing individual health insurance on and off the exchanges.

Reducing health care costs is still the No. 1 reason U.S. employers implement wellness programs.

The obituary for traditional wellness programs has been widely published, though perhaps not universally acknowledged. What, indeed, went wrong?

To really dig deep into private exchanges, it would behoove employers to understand some of the characteristics different exchanges offer.

It’s been a year of massive growth for private exchanges, with estimates of more than three million people receiving employer health benefits through them by mid-2014, according to business management consultancy Accenture. Yet, 2015 is expected to see even more growth and acquisitions.

More than 1 million people used the U.S. Healthcare.gov system to sign up for Affordable Care Act plans in the seven days ending Dec. 12, the best week yet for enrollment in the program’s second year.

From the first open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act to the unveiling of Apple’s HealthWatch, the health care industry has seen some big advancements and major changes in 2014, making it a year of constant adjustment for benefit advisers.

With 2015 fast approaching, employee benefit decision makers are scrambling to ensure that they stay ahead of the curve – particularly as the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate kicks in next month.

The year in wellness: Wearable devices, outcomes-based incentives and social media have helped shape wellness in the workplace in 2014.

Delaying health plan renewals appears to be the new normal under the Affordable Care Act, especially for small businesses.