Healthcare benefits

Department of Labor audits of employee benefit plans are on the rise and experts agree benefit advisers should be preparing their employer clients now for that impending knock on the door.

The Senate has begun debate on a controversial effort to redefine a full-time employee under the Affordable Care Act from one who works 30 hours per week to one who works 40 hours per week — a move that could release many employers from having to offer health care coverage to their employees.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in M&G Polymers USA, LLC v. Tackett affirms the principles of contract law.

While employers deal with ACA reporting requirements and communication campaigns that explain the public health insurance exchanges, some have turned to health care technology startups in hopes of elevating the open-enrollment experience for their employees.

The tool, designed to help covered employees find doctors, understand health care finance, and meet health goals. is being piloted JPMorgan Chase and will expand to a select number of U.S. employers in 2015.

A useful platform that protects employee information is critical; is your firm prepared to meet client demands?

As the Affordable Care Act’s Cadillac tax looms, a majority of organizations in the U.S. are looking ahead to ways they can cut down on the costs of providing health care.

Plan fully integrates behavioral health with primary care for more meaningful results.

Employers are concerned multiemployer plans won’t count toward providing employees with health coverage, and may subject them to penalties. Here’s what they can do.

Researchers are starting to monitor physical activity through FitBit trackers to better predict recovery times following spinal surgeries.

A new guide is available to help employers ensure their health plan vendors stay compliant with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, and includes updated information on the ACA.

Russ Blakely’s partnership with a Tennessee physician network is strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and saving scores of money in the process

North American employers may take some – but not much – comfort in the knowledge that medical trend rates are a lot worse in other parts of the world.

In State of the Union, the president says he won’t ‘refight past battles’ on the ACA

Altering the health care law is one priority for Sen. Hatch this year, the committee chairman said in a speech outlining his 2015 agenda.

Regulatory changes continue to challenge health and life insurance carriers to meet new market demands and stay competitive. Benefit advisers also looking to remain relevant should watch closely carrier reaction to these key issues in 2015.

It was just a year ago that VSP Global and Google, Inc. teamed up to offer Google Glass prescription lenses and frames at a subsidized price. But Google Glass’s announcement last week that it was halting sales of the product raises questions about VSP’s future role.

This relatively inexpensive voluntary benefit is not only highly-appreciated by employees, it can act as a differentiator in a benefit adviser’s sales portfolio.

Growth of high-deductible health plans continues to outpace other medical plan types – even in the face of lower employer contributions to health savings accounts.

Commentary: Boomers are redefining what it means to be aging in the workforce, and redefining senior benefits in the process.