Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

Open enrollment season is designed to not only allow employees to make changes to their plans, but also to educate them. Likewise, employers and advisers should use the fourth quarter as an opportunity to stay abreast of the latest changes in health care plans. Here are six trends to watch for during the 2014-2015 open enrollment season.

Commentary: The average working American is part of a financially fragile workforce and many are reacting to higher health insurance contributions that could spell long-term trouble, says voluntary specialist Tinker Kelly.

Commentary: There is more to Aetna’s announcement that it will acquire exchange provider bswift than meets the eye, says health technology consultant Joe Markland. In fact, it’s another signal that brokers need to recognize the benefits world is changing around them, he says.

Commentary: The kind of intense research that goes into, say, a television purchase is missing from a major market—and retirement advisers should take notice of this opportunity.

Commentary: Why group benefit brokers are behind the curve when it comes to voluntary benefit sales — and how to fix it.

Commentary: Columnist John Ludwig asks, with all the effort put into fee disclosures and the money to produce them; does it really help the participant in the end?

Commentary: The industry is scrambling to keep pace with technology-fueled demands for speedy claims turnover. Aflac’s Laree Daniel explains how customer expectations are molding the industry response.

Commentary: HR Technology Advisors’ Joe Markland hears about it all the time when speaking to brokers. Yet, he says, although many claim to have seen it, nobody can find it.

Commentary: The HHS comment period for how to define a closely held, for-profit company continues. In the meantime, AmWINS Group Benefits’ Sam Fleet shares how third-party administrators are getting caught in the middle.

Commentary: What would you do differently if you knew you were going to sell or merge your business with another agency in the next 10 years? EBA Advisory Board member Andy Torelli shares lessons learned.