Employer Strategies

Post-election, for those who were waiting for something to happen that might change the course of health reform, you can stop waiting. A recent Mercer study found 15% of clients were waiting on the election to start implementing health reform, anticipating a change in administration would either repeal it, fundamentally change it, or roll back some of the provisions - which was probably more feasible. That not being the case, I think everybody out there should start making plans for 2014 based on the law as we know it.

Among benefits-related cases, in 2012 courts addressed stock drops, offerings to retirees and same-sex couples, and fiduciary concerns

A smoker’s need for a support network is one reason smoking-cessation programs in the workplace have a good chance at success.

As private exchanges expand and companies consider a future beyond the traditional employer-sponsored health care system, benefits experts weigh in on consumers’ readiness for defined contribution health.

Less than one week after Obama won a second term in office, dozens of employers already were setting about the business of offsetting the impending business costs of implementing health care reform or other Obama policies they view as unfriendly to their industry.

A Mercer survey suggests that, as employee engagement stalls, work-life balance could be the difference between keeping or losing top talent.

From increasing involvement and understanding of benefits during the open enrollment process to guiding a plan participant through a wellness program, interactive technology is becoming an ever more important and prominent part of the employee benefits communication package.

Key considerations for employers and their brokers looking to self-fund.

Employers could theoretically require employees to sign employment agreements requiring, as a condition of employment, that disputes over wages be resolved through binding arbitration rather than courts.

Aetna and other insurers that initially fought President Obama’s health care overhaul are reversing course and supporting the effort by funding a group planning to spend $100 million to help the uninsured get coverage.