Benefits Think The tsunami is coming are you prepared?
Guest blogger Mark S. Gaunya talks about what advisers must do in the 'Obamacare' world where insurers are assuming more risk and consumers more cost.
Benefit plan design
Mercer adds non-health benefit carriers to private exchange
Mercers private exchange now has more than 20 carriers signed on to provide benefits, including dental, vision, life and disability products. Find out what carriers were added.
Benefits Think Nondiscrimination rules an elephant in the room
As most employers worry about whether to pay or play as of 2014 and whether or not certain employees will need to be counted as full-time for health care reform purposes, there is an elephant in the room: the approaching nondiscrimination rules that apply to all health plans that are not grandfathered.
Dealing with health care appeals Its OK to change your mind
What happens if, during the course of the appeals process, the plan administrator comes across information that might impact the decision on appeal that makes the administrator want to grant the appeal?
Top-tier insurers join Mercer exchange
Mercer has announced an initial group of insurance carriers that will offer benefits through Mercer Marketplace, the companys private benefits exchange for employers active employees and their families.
Sebelius: Insurer feedback delays SHOP exchange
The delay of the feature of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act intended to help small businesses was because of concerns raised by insurers, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Friday.
The wellness path not taken
Wellness programs may suffer or change direction with the arrival of the health care exchange marketplace.
Employers get creative with PPACA
Two employers, Darden Restaurants and Cummins, share how they reached the decision about whether or not to move employees to health care exchanges.
Contraceptive coverage mandate clarified
The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury released proposed regulations on how religious organizations should apply the contraceptive coverage requirements under PPACA, alleviating some concerns religious organizations had previously expressed.
Obama pulls back health law promise as exchange costs double
The $1.3 trillion U.S. health-care system overhaul is getting more expensive and will initially accomplish less than intended.
A walk-through on full-time vs. part-time for PPACA
Because there can be various ways of assessing what constitutes a full-time employee eligible for coverage under the PPACA, the IRS has issued guidance in the form of several notices, as well as temporary regulations.
Obama doubles estimate to $4 billion for health exchanges
The state health exchanges that are central to the U.S. Affordable Care Act are costing the federal government more than twice its initial budget to complete.
PPACA small business insurance market delayed a year
Starting in 2014, workers at companies with fewer than 100 employees were supposed to have been able to choose from a variety of health plans through new small-business insurance marketplaces. Theyll instead wait until at least 2015.
Exchanges can close health care ‘Bermuda Triangle,’ expert contends
Representatives from private health insurance exchanges assert that exchanges are hitting the ground running and that they are well-equipped to help employers meet the diverse health needs of employees.
Ticking time bomb
NBC Universals medical director voices concern about the lack of education for high-deductible health plans, particularly as exchanges come online.
New MLR bill hits Senate, House bill to come
New legislation was issued last night in the Senate that would remove broker compensation from the MLR calculation.
Congressman: 3 health care revolutions imminent
Despite the progress made through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on health care access, there are challenges to come from health reform, said Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisc.) Thursday at the AHIP National Policy Forum in Washington.
Refusal to expand Medicaid may cost employers $1 billion
Governors who refuse to expand their Medicaid programs for the poor may cost employers in their states as much as $1.3 billion in federal fines, according to a new study.
How employers are getting creative with PPACA
Two employers shared how theyve gotten creative with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at Thursdays National Business Group on Health conference in Washington. One chose to move to a new consumer-driven health plan and the other chose a private exchange through Aon Hewitt.
Consulting leaders advise employers to be nimble amid changing health care landscape
Health care consultants from Mercer, Aon Hewitt and Towers Watson offered advice at a recent National Business Group on Health event in Washington, D.C.