Brian M. Kalish

During an at times confrontational second meeting between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, health care and the landmark health care reform bill rarely were mentioned. As Tuesday’s debate was the last time the candidates would discuss domestic issues prior to election day, some health care watchers were left wanting.

During an at times confrontational second debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney, health care and the landmark health care reform bill were, surprisingly, not a focus, and when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act did come up, it was primarily used as an attack vehicle.

Scott Sherman goes from broker to San Diego city hall

Consultants, industry groups question the transparency in PBM practices.

How the downside of technology affects brokers, insurance

Passage of bill excluding broker commissions from the PPACA’s medical loss ratio calculation is seen as breakthrough for broker profession.

Adviser representatives were encouraged by recognition of their role in employee benefits delivery as exclusion of commissions from medical loss ratio calculations moved forward last week. The Bill’s passage further shows that Congress what brokers do for a living, says the CEO of NAHU.

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday passed a bill that would exclude compensation paid for licensed independent insurance producers from the premium portion of the medical loss ratio calculation.

There are seismic shifts happening in the benefits industry today, creating tremendous opportunity that will not be seen again in this lifetime, said a speaker at the Employee Benefit Adviser Summit in Phoenix Monday.

A health reform legal requirement taking effect this month adds pressure to client communication practices - but also gives advisers a chance to add value to their services.

Employee benefits clients demand greater technological fluency, advisers adjust.

With health reform summary of benefits and coverage advisers must help employers change communication

There is no question that the Supreme Court upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in a 5-4 ruling has solidified, for now, the change in the country's health care market that took form when President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law in March 2010.

For decades, health care consumers have been told once you have a problem, then you should go to the doctor. But now, as high-deductible health plans become ever more prevalent, employers are encouraging employees to go to the doctor first - before they get sick - and in turn the employer will often cover the visit at 100%.

Under health reform, state health care exchanges are slated to operate in 2014 - not much time to figure out the role a broker will play in the system. As we await more definitive information on what exactly constitutes a "navigator," one can look toward California, which is further along in setting up its exchange, as a potential model, says Neil Crosby, director of sales at Westlake Village, Calif.-based Warner Pacific Insurance Services.

Employees know very little about disability coverage. But when they learn about it, they often want the coverage and are willing to pay for it, recent surveys find. The Consumer Federation of America and Unum national survey of 1,200 employees finds that only 13% know "a lot" about disability insurance, and less than half (47%) know what its benefits are.

Employees know very little about disability coverage. But when they learn about it, they often want it and are willing to pay for it. A Consumer Federation of America and Unum national survey finds that only 13% of surveyed workers know "a lot" about disability insurance, and less than half (47%) know what its benefits are, according to the survey of 1,200 employees. Yet, when informed about DI, a majority (90%) want the coverage, and 86% are willing to pay half of a $30 average monthly premium, and 56% are willing to pay the entire premium in order to gain income protection should they become disabled. According to a 2012 Social Security Fact Sheet, almost 1-in-4 of today's 20 year olds will become disabled before age 67.

As new retirement fee disclosures go into effect this summer, a coalition of 15 retirement industry groups are urging the Department of Labor to allow broader use of electronic communication for retirement plan participant disclosures, which are now mailed in paper form to plan participants.

Susan Bianco is a woman on a mission. Since starting her own business in Cleveland almost 25 years ago, she has achieved considerable sales success and is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Having achieved six Top of the Table qualifications from MDRT, Bianco spoke with EBA about how others can duplicate her success at Benefit Enrollment Services, Inc. Her accomplishments are not all business-related; Bianco also serves on the board of directors for Opera Cleveland and served as president of the Women's City Club of Cleveland for four years.Susan Bianco shares her path to success

Private and public health care exchanges can bring tremendous value to the marketplace if they follow certain examples, said a speaker at the NAHU annual convention in Las Vegas Monday.