Employee benefits

Whether a simple health risk assessment or a complex incentive plan, employee wellness programs have become a fixture of the modern workplace.

California becomes the first state in the country to mandate 45-day notice for any material changes to agent agreements. The law comes in response to two insurers cutting commission with little notice mid-enrollment season.

Employees who don’t factor health care costs into their retirement planning could be in for a rude awakening.

With millions of Americans purchasing health coverage on their own, and a growing number of people enrolling in consumer-directed health plans, the employer’s role in helping workers understand the health care system is more important than ever.

New legislation introduced to the D.C. Council this week will boost paid leave to 16 weeks, putting the district among the top U.S. employers offering paid leave benefits.

With nearly two dozen CO-OPs created under the Affordable Care Act continuing their financial struggles, attention is turning toward why they’re experiencing such difficulties.

More choice through private exchanges means more complexity for employers, employees and brokers. What can be done to improve the process for all involved?

Five ways to tell if your employees are getting the service they deserve from your benefits company.

Offering minimum essential coverage plans not only helps employers stay compliant with the ACA, it can also provide solid compensation for brokers and can lead to gap coverage sales.

Small-business 401(k) plan participants don’t have access to the same tools and resources that participants in large plans have, which could be putting them at a retirement disadvantage.

Flexible spending accounts have long been a favorite tool among working Americans to help budget for out-of-pocket costs but they could be an unintended casualty of health care reform.

Advisers hoping to remain relevant in a changing health care and benefits landscape must shift product offerings to meet industry trends. Rick Lindquist, president of Zane Benefits, discusses 6 key industry trends to watch.

The tire and wheel retailer implements a telehealth option for employees, providing online access to care for minor ailments.

Everything from filling prescriptions to asking primary care questions can be done via online or over the phone, which can reduce medical claims, but only if employees are engaged in their plan.

The bad equity markets have one silver lining for those executives in your organization that might have large 401(k) account balances: In-plan conversions to Roth 401(k) accounts.

A solid financial wellness program needs to focus on three big ideas: big data, behavioral science and technology, according to experts at this week’s Benefits Forum & Expo.

Employers more than ever are seeking innovative solutions for health care cost containment from their benefit advisers, and one industry expert says emerging strategies to help brokers thrive in the coming decade should include voluntary benefit sales and plan integration.

High-profile merger and acquisition activity in the health insurance market has some employers squeamish about decreased competition and carrier responsiveness, but some industry experts say employers have methods for recourse.

Devices and applications are impacting health care, but it’s crucial not to overlook the human aspect of technology, says Healthways’ Chris Dancy.

Communicating health care and other benefits to employees is no simple task, but it is increasingly vital for companies to do it and to do it well.