Employer Strategies

Amid the nationwide noise of budget debates and court battles over the constitutionality of health care reform, Vermont has gone largely unnoticed as its legislature uses the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's state exchange requirement to set the stage for an eventual switch to a single-payer health care system. Bob Gaydos, president of the Benefits Group of New England, spoke with EBA about his efforts to slow down the fast-paced bill that, as of press time, had already passed in the House and was a week or two away from passing in the Senate. "There's no doubt it'll pass at this point," says Gaydos. "You've got to applaud the governor on a well-played political hand."

It's like taking gourmet cooking lessons, but continuing to eat at drive-throughs. It's like buying a highly praised book and leaving it on the shelf. In a similar fashion, your clients' wellness programs might not reach their potential if they are unable to engage employees and change behavior.

The New Year began with a wince for many employers around the country as they saw their health insurance premium costs increase once again, some by double-digit percentages. The recession, medical cost inflation, and uncertainty over health care reform dealt a punishing blow to employer-sponsored health care programs, forcing the majority of organizations to pass some of the cost increases on to their employees. Still, despite the trying times, some employers were able to hold their rates steady.

Last September, Carter Express, a logistic, freight and transport firm based in Anderson, Ind., accomplished something that every self-insured employer wants to do. It saved 23% on an employee's surgery for prostate cancer. Plus, not only did the company spend nearly $12,000 less, but the employee was happy with his surgical experience.

Entering the supplemental medical services market should be a no-brainer for employee benefits producers looking to expand their revenue stream and diversify business in the wake of health care reform. With a growing number of baby boomers reaching age 65 every day, the Medicare supplement business is thriving. Not to mention the need for supplemental insurance felt by employees of all ages thanks to the widening coverage gap as employers increasingly switch to consumer-driven major medical plans.

Built-up demand for health savings accounts helped to account for a solid 2010 for J.P. Morgan’s HSA business, according to David Josephs, managing director with the company.

California regulators subpoenaed MetLife Inc. and plan a hearing on the company's practices involving the payment of benefits after learning of an insured’s death.

Have HR and benefit professionals who work for midsize employers lost their hunger for cafeteria plans in austere times? It seems that the answer depends on semantics and plan design nuances.

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the establishment of health care exchanges to enable individuals to purchase health insurance on the open market is proceeding as scheduled.

Exchange-traded funds are likely to grab a “significant” share of the 401(k) market in coming years, according to Skip Schweiss, president of TD Ameritrade Trust Co.