There are right ways and wrong ways to go about ending a business relationship

EBA Contributor Barry Cohn is being kept busy with questions about MLR reimbursements, with clients wondering what to do or asking how much they would be receiving.

Finding opportunities in CDHPs, exchanges and a new business model by EBA Advisory Board Member Mark Gaunya

Workplace difficulties faced by the hearing impaired highlight the need for corresponding benefit coverage

Brokers all talk with their clients about the fact that “engaged” employees are more “productive," says EBA Blogger Beverly Bettie. However, when, if ever are they put under the same looking glass? Internal and external resources in our own organizations impact our ability to be productive, to achieve results, and financial success.

Every year someone calls guest blogger Jim Moniz the Grinch because he’s the guy who points out the ineffectiveness of the holiday bonus. But, he says, employee benefits advisers, brokers and consultants need to recognize there exists more creative vehicles that can serve as incentive programs to drive and maintain growth as well as recruit and retain key talent/

A recent Health Affairs study that concludes the 10 modifiable health risks only connect to about 20% of health care spending. Thus, says guest blogger Linda K. Riddell, a realistic benefits manager should acknowledge that the most successful wellness program may only have a limited impact.

Rules for the six state insurance exchanges that won conditional approval from the Obama administration Dec. 10 are split evenly between those with strict criteria for companies that want to participate and states that have opened their exchanges to all comers, a scenario supported by the insurance industry. A high bar for inclusion could limit the number of insurers offering health plans in some states.

Many states led by Republican governors have already said they won’t build their own insurance exchanges. That puts the onus on the Obama administration.

Alvarez & Marsal, A&M Executive Benefits Consulting and Henderson Brothers Inc. all announce personnel moves. Check to see if a colleague is mentioned today.

Health insurance premiums may double for some small businesses and individual buyers in the U.S. when the Affordable Care Act’s major provisions start in 2014, Aetna’s chief executive officer said.

While adoption of consumer-driven health plans by employers continues to increase, the perceived risk of CDHP’s high deductibles still makes employees hesitant to switch from the traditional PPO. However, such fears may be unfounded, according to Change Healthcare.

EBA Contributor Andrew Torelli was shocked to hear health care statistics recently that makes him rethink what the real health care crises in this country are and how to properly address them.

Under health care exchanges, many employees will be selecting benefits previously decided by an employer — providing a chance for brokers and consultants to show their true value, said a panel of experts at the Workplace Benefits Transitions conference December 5.

There is a rarely a plan of how "pretend sales goals" are going to actually be met, says EBA Contributor Kevin Trokey. He provides seven cultural issues to consider when selling product.

While brokers will be needed now more than ever to assist their clients, they must be sure to partner with the right provider, or potentially risk losing everything, said a panel of experts at the Workplace Benefits Transitions conference Wednesday.

With health reform moving full steam ahead, most employers will continue to offer employee coverage, but will make alterations to how they provide it, said a speaker at the Workplace Benefits Transitions conference Tuesday.

In a brush up on voluntary, Prudential's Jim Gemus explains the advantages in offering voluntary to you, your clients and their employees in this challenging business environment.

It’s likely no one pays more attention to retirement plan fees than the plan fiduciary, says The Principal Financial’s Aaron Friedman. After all it’s their job to work with the service provider and financial professional to make sure the fees paid by the plan are “reasonable.” But what exactly does “reasonable” mean and what does it have to with cars?

Health care reform means that many patients can no longer be denied health insurance because of preexisting conditions. But there’s a big catch: Coverage for many Americans without insurance will come at a potentially unaffordable cost.