EBA's top 10 articles of 2015
Published December 18, 2015 2:31 PM
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Updated December 21, 2015 9:23 AM
1 Min Read
Zenefits made the list of the years most-read EBA stories twice, including a defamation lawsuit that ADP filed against the Silicon Valley startup. Other attention-grabbing articles included the Aetna-Humana merger, Cadillac tax repeal efforts, attempts to tweak the ACA and the elimination of broker commission.
Here are the top 10 stories that garnered the most pageviews in 2015.
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[Image: Fotolia]
Here are the top 10 stories that garnered the most pageviews in 2015.
To view this in article format,
[Image: Fotolia]
10) Why the Aetna, Humana merger is a lesson for brokers
In July, Aetna agreed to buy Humana, the second-largest provider of private Medicare insurance, for $37 billion in cash and stock to broaden its health care coverage. Analysts had predicted an Aetna acquisition was imminent as carriers continue to grapple with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on carrier costs and risk.
Clickhere to read the article .
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9) Politicians agree on Cadillac tax repeal
While there is plenty of disagreement between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to the ACA, there is one aspect that members of both parties agree on the Cadillac tax should be repealed.
In April, Democrats unveiled their repeal effort, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act, a bill that is co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Donald Norcross (D-N.J.). The Republican counterpart, H.R. 879, was introduced by Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) in February.
Clickhere to read the article .
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In April, Democrats unveiled their repeal effort, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act, a bill that is co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Donald Norcross (D-N.J.). The Republican counterpart, H.R. 879, was introduced by Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) in February.
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8) Push for ACA 40-hour work week definition heats up
In the beginning of 2015, Republicans ramped up their efforts to change the ACAs definition of full-time employment from 30 hours a week to 40 hours a week. Business associations, employer groups and industry organizations joined the effort, urging House leadership to pass the bill, which it did, 252-172.
Clickhere to read the article .
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7) Assurant Health eliminates commission on new business
The Milwaukee, Wis.-headquartered insurance carrier Assurant Health announced in February that it will no longer pay commissions on new business in certain markets of the U.S. Assurant Health has cut commissions on new business in Florida, Nevada, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas.
A spokesperson for the insurer says the changes impact individual major medical products, but not the supplemental, short-term medical or small group products Assurant Health offers. Assurant Health is making adjustments to our sales approach to manage our business appropriately, says Mary Hinderliter, vice president of communications for Assurant.
Clickhere to read the article .
[Image: Fotolia]
A spokesperson for the insurer says the changes impact individual major medical products, but not the supplemental, short-term medical or small group products Assurant Health offers. Assurant Health is making adjustments to our sales approach to manage our business appropriately, says Mary Hinderliter, vice president of communications for Assurant.
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6) Zenefits, ADP dispute heats up with defamation lawsuit
Payroll services giant ADP filed a defamation lawsuit against Zenefits in June, heating up a quarrel between the companies that ignited when ADP disabled Zenefits access to its systems for shared clients.
In late October, ADP agreed to drop the lawsuit, giving Zenefits a big win in the months-long dispute fought in the public eye. Experts say advisers and other industry stakeholders feeling heat from similar market disruptors should heed the win as a shot across the bow a warning to remain flexible.
Clickhere to read the article .
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In late October, ADP agreed to drop the lawsuit, giving Zenefits a big win in the months-long dispute fought in the public eye. Experts say advisers and other industry stakeholders feeling heat from similar market disruptors should heed the win as a shot across the bow a warning to remain flexible.
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5) IRS clarifies ACA reporting requirements for large employers
ACA reporting requirements for applicable large employers begin in 2016, but many employers and their benefit advisers remain confused about requirements for certain employers with special circumstances. Prompted by industry questions and concerns, the IRS has issued updated guidance to clarify some these circumstances and the requirements employers will be expected to comply with.
Beginning next year, applicable large employers must report whether: an individual is covered by minimum essential coverage; and that an offer of minimum essential coverage that provides minimum value was made to each full-time employee.
Clickhere to read the article .
[Image: Bloomberg/file photo]
Beginning next year, applicable large employers must report whether: an individual is covered by minimum essential coverage; and that an offer of minimum essential coverage that provides minimum value was made to each full-time employee.
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[Image: Bloomberg/file photo]
4) Premium reimbursement is a costly violation
Employer payment plans for individual health insurance coverage that fail to comply with the ACA are subject to an excise tax of up to $100 per day ($36,500 per year) for each affected employee. An employer cannot reimburse employees for the purchase of an individual market policy, regardless of whether the employer treats the payment as a tax-free benefit or as additional taxable wages to the employee.
Clickhere to read the article .
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3) Is Aetna eliminating commissions on small-group business?
A new producer service fee arrangement introduced by Aetna looks to eliminate broker commissions on small-group business, a move advisers claim hurts their business, their clients and most likely doesnt comply with the ACAs medical loss ratio regulations.
Beginning with July 1, 2015 effective dates, Aetnas new Producer Service Fee model will be the compensation model on all new and renewing group business with up to 100 lives, according to an e-mail, obtained by EBA, from the carrier to an agent in Georgia. The Producer Service Fee model requires brokers and their clients to negotiate a service fee that will be paid by the customer/employer to Aetna, and then paid out by Aetna to the broker.
Clickhere to read the article .
[Image: Bloomberg/file photo]
Beginning with July 1, 2015 effective dates, Aetnas new Producer Service Fee model will be the compensation model on all new and renewing group business with up to 100 lives, according to an e-mail, obtained by EBA, from the carrier to an agent in Georgia. The Producer Service Fee model requires brokers and their clients to negotiate a service fee that will be paid by the customer/employer to Aetna, and then paid out by Aetna to the broker.
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[Image: Bloomberg/file photo]
2) House votes unanimously to repeal ACA small-group market expansion
In a unanimous vote, the House passed legislation in late September that would rescind the ACAs expanded definition of a small employer. The bipartisan bill has had strong support from employers and benefit industry insiders who feared the expansion could lead to premium increases and jeopardize the ability for small and mid-sized businesses to compete in todays market.
Clickhere to read the article .
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1) Why Zenefits isnt anti-broker
EBAs April cover story focused on Parker Conrad, the co-founder and CEO of Zenefits, a San Francisco-based tech startup-turned brokerage.
Conrad has been known to make some inflammatory remarks about the profession these guys dont do very much and all of the existing brokers today are all [expletive], as hes told national consumer media outlets. But Conrad believes the reason his peers dislike Zenefits comes down to simple economics.
Zenefits is viewed by other brokers as a profoundly evil company because weve stolen a lot of business from folks. I get it. I get that thats painful. I hate losing clients myself, he says. But, he adds, such detractors have no idea what we do, having never seen the product or understood its value proposition.
Clickhere to read the article .
Image of Parker Conrad [Bloomberg/file]
Conrad has been known to make some inflammatory remarks about the profession these guys dont do very much and all of the existing brokers today are all [expletive], as hes told national consumer media outlets. But Conrad believes the reason his peers dislike Zenefits comes down to simple economics.
Zenefits is viewed by other brokers as a profoundly evil company because weve stolen a lot of business from folks. I get it. I get that thats painful. I hate losing clients myself, he says. But, he adds, such detractors have no idea what we do, having never seen the product or understood its value proposition.
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Image of Parker Conrad [Bloomberg/file]
