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Overview

Do private exchanges bend the cost curve? How does Scott Walker’s health care plan compare to the ACA? What impact will the BIC exemption have? EBA readers share their thoughts on this week’s industry news.

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No proof

“I have yet to speak to any actuary, underwriter or broker that has given me any logical argument or factual study that shows private exchanges save anyone any money, other than of course the employer who shifts costs or risks to their employees.”

Posted by Joe M

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The definition of a private exchange

“I don't know if our industry has ever had a more loosely used term than ‘an exchange.’ Most of the public hear this term and assume something that would look very much like the public exchanges they read and hear about in the news.

“They do not assume that it is a ben-admin system paired with a handful of medical options from a single carrier with rates designed to drive everyone to the CDHP plan and then offer a bunch of high commission voluntary benefit options that can be elected to fill in the coverage gaps. Our industry uses much more flowery lingo, but at the end of the day, this is what private exchanges are.”

Posted by Bill H

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‘How are we going to do better?’

“While it is the right concern and issue, implementing across widely dispersed workforces is very difficult. Current generation tools and educational efforts are at best modest and a laugh in many cases. How are we going to do better?”

Posted by Edward F

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The ACA ‘can still be eliminated’

“Despite what many say, Obamacare can still be eliminated and good health insurance and medical care brought back despite Democratic resistance and Republican disorganization.”

Posted by Frances R

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Walker’s plan no better than Obama’s

“Our medical system is a mess and despite your attempt to prescribe, your version, is not the way it will work, this time. Plus your plan is about as bad as Obama's in a completely different way.”

Posted by Les S

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‘I will no longer offer this service’

“Public school teachers retiring in Pennsylvania are told by their pension system … that they should transfer their contributions to the pension system to an IRA because their pension payout comes first from their contributions. If they die before they have received all of their contributions, their family will not get the money.

“I was not hurting any retiring teacher who transferred their money and permitted me to earn a commission. I will no longer offer this service and only service people with large investable amounts.”

Posted by Donald H

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Read this week’s news

How a private benefit exchange can bend the health care cost curve

Scott Walker unveils ACA replacement plan

Advisers fear BIC exemption will impede small-business access to retirement plans

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