Bush rolls out health plan aiming to make care more affordable
The outline of the Republican's plan contains some similarities with the Affordable Care Act.
Health insurance
Benefits Think Why CDHPs should be carved out from Cadillac tax
Carving out FSAs, HSAs and HRAs from the Affordable Care Acts excise tax would be a good compromise, enabling Americans to set aside money for health care while still allowing employers to control costs.
William Sweetnam
Groom Law Group, Chartered
New CA law requires insurers give notice on agent agreement changes
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.
The long regulatory road trip for benefits professionals
Benefits professionals have been on a never-ending regulatory road trip since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010 and employers everywhere are asking are we there yet?
From milking cows to MDRT president
Brian Heckert, the new Million Dollar Round Table president, shares the story of how he entered the industry, as well as what he hopes to accomplish and insights on other issues facing the retirement industry.
House votes unanimously to repeal ACA small group market expansion
The House has agreed to pass legislation that makes possible a repeal of the ACAs controversial expansion of the definition of a small employer a bill hailed by the benefits industry for protecting the small and mid-size businesses they feel the expansion threatens to harm.
NY to shut ACA co-op with $265 million in loans
Health Republic Insurance of New York, the Affordable Care Act insurer that got $265 million in U.S. loans, will stop selling policies and eventually cease operations under orders from New York and federal regulators.
The HIPAA auditors are coming
Commentary: HHS is starting to roll out the second phase of HIPAA audits, and now is the time for employers to assess compliance with HIPAAs security rule. If your organization is selected for a Phase II Audit, are you ready?
Benefits Think Support heats up for Cadillac tax repeal
Commentary: The employer community has made its voice clear on the Affordable Care Acts excise tax. Legislators seem to have heard. Will it make a difference?
Andrea Davis
Employee Benefit News
Uber drivers certify California class action
While Uber is fighting hard on all fronts to prove its drivers are correctly characterized as independent contractors, there are examples of other successful app-driven on-demand start-ups that have either converted contractors to employee status or characterized all workers as employees from the get-go.
Fitbit wellness platform now HIPAA compliant
Fitness device maker Fitbit now will enter into HIPAA business associate agreements with corporations, health plans and self-insured employers that want to offer its wellness platform to employees.
Public exchange enrollees missing out on cost-sharing reductions
Despite eligibility for cost-sharing reductions, more than 2 million public exchange enrollees did not select eligible plans.
States helping workers save for retirement
A number of states are looking to establish state-run DC plans for workers who dont have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans.
CCIIO to launch agent hotline for federal marketplace
Broker group hopeful hotline is first step in making enrollment through federally-facilitated marketplace an even playing field for agents and brokers
GAO expresses concerns with unclear QDIA regulations
Retirement plan sponsors need more clarity with QDIA regulations, says the Government Accountability Office.
Onsite clinics appealing, despite Cadillac tax uncertainties
Despite the regulatory uncertainty about how the Affordable Care Acts excise tax will apply to employer-sponsored care offered through onsite clinics, employers appear committed to the concept.
ACA exchange marketplace enrollment falls to 9.9 million, U.S. says
About 9.9 million people got health insurance coverage through the marketplaces set up by the ACA as of June 30, a decline from earlier in the year though still higher than the White House administrations target.
Insurers can’t deny gender transition treatment under U.S. plan
Transgender individuals would gain new health care protections in rules proposed Thursday by U.S. regulators.
Number of employers subject to Cadillac tax predicted to rise
The number of employers who could be subject to the ACAs Cadillac tax is predicted to rise if employers remain stagnant on health care plan changes, underscoring a need to make plan adjustments sooner rather than later.
ACA opponents have different views on what should happen next
Those calling for repeal of the Affordable Care Act are split on what to do should the law be repealed.