Exchanges

Traffic to company’s private benefit exchange in first week of open enrollment exceeds entire first month of 2015 season.

After massive growth from 2014 to 2015, the carrier expects lives covered to double again in 2016 as open enrollment begins on the carrier’s private exchanges, says Patty Fontneau, president of Cigna's private exchange business. Fontneau discusses the structure of Cigna’s exchange and the distribution model is here to stay.

Commentary: The benefits community should pay close attention to this ERISA case and should be prepared to quickly adapt procedures according to the Supreme Court’s forthcoming ruling, which is expected by June 2016.

The benefits industry is awaiting several rulings from the Supreme Court of the United States expected in 2016 that could have far-reaching effects on the administration and cost of operating employee benefit plans.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in Montanile v. Board of Trustees of the National Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan and will determine if, under ERISA, a reimbursement to an employee benefit plan can be recovered if the beneficiary has already spent the funds he or she recovered from a third party.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in Montanile v. Board of Trustees of the National Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan and will determine if, under ERISA, a reimbursement to an employee benefit plan can be recovered if the beneficiary has already spent the funds he or she recovered from a third party.

Single-employer premiums are set to increase, which could lead to fewer pension plans, resulting in less demand for DB consultants, ERIC CEO says.

A new hotline for agents and brokers will not be able to answer specific questions from agents about their clients, disappointing broker organizations, which expected a hotline similar to what navigators have.

To date, adoption of private benefit exchanges by employers has been modest, but Holley Maher, partner at St. Louis-area brokerage MRCT, sees them as a highly relevant solution. And, despite issues Healthcare.gov has caused for brokers and consumers alike, the site is changing the health care landscape, says Maher, whose company operates its Smart Benefits Marketplace using bswift technology.

The Private Benefit Exchange Index was up again last month and all indications are that it will increase more quickly in the months to come.