According to Wikipedia, the word transparency implies openness, communication and accountability . . . performing in such a way that it is easy to see what’s wrong. Sounds like our health care system, doesn’t it? Not really and that’s where enormous opportunity exists to “fix” healthcare.

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have received funds from the Health and Human Services Department totaling $185 million to build state insurance exchanges to aid consumers and small businesses in comparative shopping for health care coverage.

The fall open enrollment season is around the corner, and HR professionals are beginning their preparations for this busy time of year. One piece of the open enrollment puzzle that should not be overlooked is communication. In fact, I can make an argument that communication is the most important part of an employer’s overall open enrollment efforts. …

Forty-two percent of workers are living paycheck to paycheck – another reason clients have to help employees wring maximum value from their compensation.

According to a new LIMRA report, “Voluntary Worksite Benefits: Penetration and Market Potential,” almost one-third of all employers are considering offering new voluntary benefits to replace existing benefits that are paid entirely or in part by the employer. This would potentially affect between 19 million and 45 million employees over the next two years, LIMRA estimates. Interest in voluntary is particularly high among large organizations (1,000 or more employees); half of these firms show interest in transitioning their existing benefits to voluntary.

An appeals court dealt a blow to President Barack Obama's health care law on Friday, leaving a mark on constitutional law, the health care industry, U.S. politics and U.S. states.

In today’s BeAdvised, Bob Arnoff blogs about ethical concerns for brokers and advisers around the new health care reform bill. How are you preparing for the switch? What do you plan to do about the dilemma he talks about?

Here’s a recent list of personnel accomplishments in the insurance industry.

As a result of Standard & Poor's decision to lower the United States’ credit rating, it lowered to 'AA+' from 'AAA' its long-term counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on the member companies of five U.S. insurance groups.

Think about it . . . If you had the cure for cancer, how many cancer patients would you approach each day? The answer — as many as you could. Do you have the cure for the problems employers and employees face each day? The answer is of course you do. Let’s take a moment and look at the value you create for the clients you serve: …

The U.S. IDI market saw a significant drop in premiums between 2008 and 2009, and while that drop continued between 2009 and 2010, it was far less severe, according to global consulting and actuarial firm Milliman Inc. Even with the premium drop, there is an underlying strength in claim experience and overall profitability, Milliman concludes in its annual IDI market survey.

What does being a benefits adviser mean to you? EBA wants to spark your creative thinking — and recognize you for your effort.

Health care reform in Massachusetts hasn't lessened the pressure on providers that care for the poor, a new study shows.

Applied Systems, an insurance technology company, is providing a forum where insurance professionals can engage in conversation about insurance, technology and related topics through its blog: http://blog.appliedsystems.com.

It’s the Super Bowl of benefits communications as companies work feverishly to develop and distribute newsletters, booklets, websites, calculator, videos, etc. to inform employees about benefit changes and enrollment deadlines

The U.S. wealth management industry has responded to the economic environment much like a surfer would at high tide, seeking opportunities for lift during the storm. If the economic downturn of 2008-2009 could be compared to low tide, 2010 looked to be the year waves might once again crest to a high point. The wealth manager’s ability to recover was short-lived, however, when a flash crash on May 6, 2010 caused the Dow Jones Industrial Average to plunge 900 points, only to recover within minutes.

The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was the wake-up call our industry needed. On March 23, 2010, brokers woke up to realize that our livelihood could be wiped out with a swipe of the President’s pen. However, for far too long, many of us were reluctant to face the other threats that existed on traditional business practices. …

Recently, Mark Lacher was asked to present in a sales seminar for a client. But before he began , several people asked, “Why are you presenting to us, aren’t you in insurance?”

Despite a down economy, customers are willing to pay for more quality from their health insurance providers, according to a recent survey. In fact, close to 50% of those queried say they are willing to pay more for quality customer service.

Almost half of employers surveyed in July by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company say they plan to add voluntary benefits to their plans within the next year.