Key attributes for insurance exchanges
Private and public health care exchanges can bring tremendous value to the marketplace if they follow certain examples, said a speaker at the NAHU annual convention in Las Vegas Monday.
Benefit plan design
Benefits Think Waiting for SCOTUS: What to think about
There is a lot riding on the Supreme Courts health reform decision for all stakeholders. Brokers and consultants need to be prepared to advise their clients, says EBA Advisory Board member Mark Gaunya, who highlights what you should be thinking about while we wait for the decision.
Small firms fear possible stop-loss limit on self-insurance
As if the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act didnt give employers enough to worry about, a PPACA-related regulatory headache may be taking hold for small firms.
Analysis: Investors plot hedges for health care law ruling
Investors could be excused for avoiding health insurance and hospital stocks as a U.S. Supreme Court decision nears on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law an outcome that could send the companies' shares down 10% or more.
Romney sees “consumer” health care after Obama plan
Republican Mitt Romney last week laid out his vision for a "consumer market" health care approach to replace President Barack Obama's sweeping reform law, whether or not the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the legislation this month.
By
David Morgan
Secret Shoppers
Later this month, employers will know – based on the Supreme Court ruling whether to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – if their employees must have health insurance. Should the law and all of its provisions be ruled constitutional, the cost of offering health benefits may prove too much for some employers, allowing employees to seek coverage from state-run insurance exchanges.
Large share of benefit professionals hope PPACA is overturned
A full 42% of employee benefit managers hope the Supreme Court will this month rule that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional, according to research conducted by Employee Benefit News.
U.S. health plans to keep some reforms, however court rules
Three major U.S. health insurers that provide coverage to millions of Americans said they would keep some protections included in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the law.
Sebelius: U.S. administration ready for health ruling
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Thursday the administration will be ready to respond if the Supreme Court strikes down all or part of the health care reform law in a landmark ruling expected this month.
By
David Morgan
Study: Young Americans get health insurance, still have debt
Health care reform likely enabled about 6.6 million young adults to join their parents' health insurance plans last year, a report found on Friday, though problems with medical bills and debt remained an issue.
Young Americans get health insurance, still have debt
Health care reform enabled an estimated 6.6 million young adults to join their parents' health insurance plans last year, according to a Commonwealth Fund report, though problems with medical bills and debt remain an issue.
How to use scenario planning
Health reform is in such a chaotic state and will continue to be so even after the Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of PPACA – and the November election. This is where scenario planning can help. At the April conference for the Institute for HealthCare Consumerism, I listened to a panel on alternative planning scenarios in regard to health reform using scenario planning. Let's see how it works.
Uncertainty surrounds new medical loss ratio payouts
With health care reform's medical loss ratio rebate reporting starting this month, there is still much uncertainty among employers about how the rebates will work, leading to an opportunity for brokers to fill that all-important trusted adviser role.
More than half individual health plans fall short of PPACA standards
More than half of Americans with individual market health insurance coverage in 2010 were enrolled in so-called "tin" plans, which provide less coverage than the lowest "bronze"-level plans in the Affordable Care Act, and therefore would not be able to be offered in the health insurance exchanges that are being created under the law, according to a Commonwealth Fund. The analysis suggests that once the state-based exchanges set up to make it easier for individuals and small businesses to shop for health insurance go into effect in 2014, many of these Americans will be able to purchase plans that offer better coverage. In addition, many will be eligible for premium subsidies that will help offset the cost of the plans.
Health care costs to reach $20,728 for family of four in 2012
The average cost of care for a typical family receiving health care through an employer-sponsored PPO plan in 2012 will cost $20,728, a 6.9% increase over 2011. Though this is the lowest rate of increase in 12 years, the $1,335 increase surpasses last years record of $1,319. This is according to the Milliman Medical Index.
U.S. sets deadline for proposals on state health care exchanges
The Obama administration forged ahead with health care reforms on Wednesday, announcing a November 16 deadline for state governments to submit proposals showing how they intend to operate health insurance exchanges in 2014.
By
David Morgan
NAIFA survey: MLR provision harms consumers, agents
In a presidential election cycle where job creation is a key issue, 15% of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors members surveyed recently say President Barack Obamas health care reform laws medical loss ratio provision has decreased their commissions enough to cause them to need to lay-off or reduce the hours of support staff in their offices affecting an average of two employees per agency.
No such thing as ‘wait and see’
Aon Hewitt isn't letting health care reform dictate its business model. If anything, it's the other way around. In addition to publishing an influential report on the implications of health reform for large employers, CEO Kristi Savacool has been to the White House several times in recent months to discuss the company's retiree health care exchange and upcoming active employee exchange model. "We have been on the front line," says Savacool, "really influencing the development of health care reform, influencing our clients with respect to how they put their own health care strategies together."
Republican report blasts Obama’s health care law
Republicans on Thursday issued a politically charged report that quoted President Barack Obama's corporate advisers as predicting his 2010 health care overhaul would raise not lower the cost of care.
By
David Morgan
More than 80% of employers look to adviser for PPACA education
Employers continue to look to their adviser to guide them through health care reform uncertainty. In fact, 88% expect their adviser to educate them on health care reform and its implications, according to a recent survey.