Healthcare benefits

As private exchanges continue to evolve, industry insiders say the integration of accountable care organizations could be the ‘next big thing' in the exchange world; one that could be a big win for employers.

As employers face growing challenges trying to balance employees’ well-being with containing benefits-related company costs, many are seeking guidance on how to manage the administrative and compliance requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

The U.S. is “drowning” in over-diagnosis and over-treatment and workplace wellness programs are partly to blame, said a wellness industry expert during a debate at the Population Health Alliance conference in Washington, D.C.

Bolstered by the Affordable Care Act, 79% of employer groups now have some type of wellness program, according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health. Along with the opportunities, however, come some regulatory pitfalls.

The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission is issuing a proposed rule today, aiming to clarify how wellness incentives apply to the health information of a spouse participating in an employer-sponsored wellness program.

Commentary: Most large employers screen applicants for substance abuse and randomly screen existing employees — testing that’s cost-prohibitive for most small businesses.

A more competitive health insurance market is favorable, but not always possible. Brokers operating in a market controlled by only a few carriers need to offer a wide variety of services in order to retain clients and increase sales.

Just four years after exiting the pharmacy benefit management business, Walgreens is getting back into it with the acquisition of pharmacy retail chain Rite-Aid.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 will repeal the Affordable Care Act’s provision requiring employers with more than 200 employees to automatically enroll full-time workers in a health plan if coverage isn't voluntarily chosen or declined by the employee.

Commentary: Employers who move most effectively to address stress and improve their employees' resiliency will find themselves at a competitive advantage in employee recruitment, retention and market performance.

Premiums for the second-lowest-cost silver plans are going up by an average of 7.5% next year in the 37 states that use a U.S.-run website, HHS says.

Effective behavior change programs are likely to be based on theory and evidence and built on years of scientific research – not on employer demands, personal preferences or bells-and-whistles technology.

Employers can play an influential role in shaping their benefit design so that it encourages employees to look at high-value providers and use tools that help make the health care decision-making process more transparent.

Every senior benefits executive knows almost exactly how much health care is directly costing their business. But do they know how much health care is costing them indirectly in lost productivity, even when employees are on the job?

The professional employer organization industry is experience massive growth, but the co-employment arrangement isn’t right for everyone. Here are the benefits of a PEO and the red flags to watch out for.

The ACA’s 2018 Cadillac tax looms large in the minds of employers and benefit experts have already begun to see trends in the plan design options and benefit offering changes employers have made to avoid the hefty excise tax.

Commentary: It’s important for employees to have someone to help support them during this time. Your clients are in the perfect position to offer that type of assistance.

As we head into the heart of renewal season, that old fear of receiving a surprise from your broker or carrier is likely sneaking into the back of your mind. There’s a better way: Performing a checkup on your benefits plan to make sure it’s as healthy as it can be.

As employers grapple with how best to provide quality benefits for employees and comply with the Affordable Care Act, they’re seeking out new strategies. Captives are an interesting approach that can work for some plan sponsors.

Commentary: Pharma will feel the pain of regulation sooner than they expected, adviser Craig Hasday predicts.