Healthcare plans

Group health plan costs are expected to rise modestly this year and plan sponsors anticipate a growth in strategies such as telemedicine and high-performance provider networks.

Benefits communications have the power to take employees from skeptics to active program participants.

The majority of large employers offer high-deductible health plans coupled with health savings accounts, but traditional plans are still favored by many employees.

It’s important for employers to educate workers about available HSAs, HRAs and FSAs so that employees can get the most out of them.

Group health plan costs are expected to rise modestly this year and plan sponsors anticipate a growth in strategies such as telemedicine and high-performance provider networks.

The health system is making strides toward value-based care but much of them are still detrimental for employers and employees.

It takes knowledge and planning, but there are ways to keep health insurance costs from derailing company profits while still offering employees the benefits they need.

Few programs can provide hard data that they solidly increase health outcomes for employees or decrease costs for employer clients.

The U.S. health system is making strides toward value-based care but much of it is still focused on volume, which is detrimental for plan sponsors and employees.

The Northeast Business Group on Health says digital tools can make a difference in controlling chronic conditions among employees.

Few programs can provide hard data or credible testimonials showing that they solidly improve health outcomes for employees or cost for benefit plan sponsors.

The Northeast Business Group on Health says digital tools can make a difference in controlling chronic conditions among employees.

Affordable Care Act’s loopholes and inefficiencies are creating losses among carriers and they, in turn, are pressing advisers, says Sally Pipes, president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute.

The key issue for benefit plan sponsors in Zubik v. Burwell is whether the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive-coverage mandate requirements and its accommodation violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Employers can take immediate steps to help hospitals ensure that employees, dependents — and all patients — are in better shape after they leave the hospital than when they went in.

Faced with rising insurance premiums, employees are poised to change the rules of the game by demanding cost transparency and quality information, says adviser Mark Gaunya.

The looming Cadillac tax is causing clients to be cautious when it comes to contributing to workers’ health savings accounts.

Plan sponsors can take immediate steps to help hospitals ensure that employees, dependents -- and all patients –are in better shape after they leave the hospital than when they went in.

With rising healthcare costs hurting employers, adviser Mark Gaunya says it’s time for quality reform.

Benefit plan sponsors continue to evaluate the best-use scenarios for PBEs, says exchange head James Harmon.