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Rules for the six state insurance exchanges that won conditional approval from the Obama administration Dec. 10 are split evenly between those with strict criteria for companies that want to participate and states that have opened their exchanges to all comers, a scenario supported by the insurance industry. A high bar for inclusion could limit the number of insurers offering health plans in some states.

2012 was a year full of health care news, with most of it focused around the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Are you familiar with these top ten stories of 2012?

Many states led by Republican governors have already said they won’t build their own insurance exchanges. That puts the onus on the Obama administration.

Even though cash tops employees’ holiday wish lists this year, Michael Levy, president of Online Rewards, says it’s time to re-examine the conventional wisdom regarding the value of year-end bonuses. He offers three bonus secrets that employers need to know.

Accurately tallying up employees, all the more important in light of PPACA, is not as easy as it may seem for those in businesses under partial or total common control with others.

Who doesn't want to make their work easier? Employers and HR/benefits managers can prevent sleepless nights by addressing these common workplace issues in written policies and planning procedures. “Pick your battles wisely and what policies you want to focus on, so that you follow best practices for that issue,” suggested Julia A. Nicholson, director of health and welfare services at Employers Benefit Plans of Northern California, LLC. At the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans conference, Nicholson said that periodic review and auditing of these five key policies and procedures will ease HR/benefits headaches over the long-term. [Images: Thinkstock]

A new survey says both life insurance sales and premiums are up for 2012, with total policy count having gained 2% for the year-to-dates.

Of the six states that have won HHS approval to run their health care exchanges, some, like Maryland, have opened theirs to all comers, while others, such as Connecticut, plan strict criteria. Insurers will have to twist and contort to play by the irregular rules.

Alvarez & Marsal, A&M Executive Benefits Consulting and Henderson Brothers Inc. all announce personnel moves. Check to see if a colleague is mentioned today.

Health insurance premiums may double for some small businesses and individual buyers in the U.S. when the Affordable Care Act’s major provisions start in 2014, Aetna’s chief executive officer said.