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While the rise of social media hasn’t been embraced by all employers, especially when it comes to internal communications, it could be on the rise and provide a competitive edge.

Opponents of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act are gearing up for a new round of attacks, this time targeting the legislation’s insurance exchanges that would expand coverage to millions of Americans.

Most 403(b) organizations contributed to their plans in 2012, the PSCA reports, with the average contribution nearly 10% higher than 2011.

Using health care analytics — sometimes called business intelligence — researchers and consultants are mining clinical and claims data to discover gold standards and establish best practices for prevention, treatment and self care and, ideally, help reduce waste, abuse and fraud. The goals are simple but have remained elusive.

In a recent survey, three-quarters of employees say they think their employer will educate them about changes to their health care coverage as a result of health care reform, yet only 13% of employers say educating employees about reform is important to their organization. This educational disconnect is troubling.

People from Maryland will have 13 insurance companies to choose from on their health insurance exchange, state officials announced this morning. The insurance options for California residents on the state’s exchange were also announced late last week amid reports that higher premiums may await those individuals.

Although the Supreme Court could issue a broad ruling in Hollingsworth that would decide the constitutionality of all state laws banning recognition of same-sex marriage, a narrow ruling limited to Proposition 8 is expected.

You may have binders stuffed with reports from your health plan, and still be starving for useful information. Guest blogger Linda K. Riddell offers two ways to cut the clutter and beef up your insights: Slow down the frequency of reports, and make sure reports have the right level of detail.

Aflac Inc., the largest seller of supplemental health insurance, says President Paul Amos II will have expanded duties for Japan operations and investments as the company prepares for the eventual departure of his father, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Amos, 61.

Willis North America announces the creation of its own private exchange and InsureXSolutions adds ancillary benefits to its existing product list.