Healthcare plans

Two in five adults in the U.S. are getting general health care from specialist doctors, according to a new study showing that figure held steady for nearly a decade.

Two new studies amplify the benefits—especially for women—of working with financial advisers, and provide insight into a changing demographic for life insurers.

A new white paper suggests that wellness programs can lower health care and benefits costs if a strong communication strategy is in place.

Assurant Employee Benefits has introduced its WellCard Savings Program that will provide an average savings of up to 30% on medical visits, up to 65% on brand name and generic prescriptions as well as discounts on hearing and diabetes care, diagnostic and lab tests, daily living products and more.

Employee morale continues a slow but steady decline from 2008 levels, but the benefits enrollment season, vastly approaching, offers employers the chance to positively engage their employees, according to recent research from Unum.

As carriers ramp up to gain market share ahead of PPACA, Aetna acquires Coventary —increasing its overall share of government health plans to more than 30%, and nearly 42 million members nationwide.

A U.S. bankruptcy court judge has denied a request by American Airlines parent company to abandon collective bargaining agreements with its pilots in an effort to save more than $1 billion a year in labor and benefit costs.

Of the 14 life insurance firms monitored by Corporate Insight, Liberty Mutual and USAA were cited as having the strongest social media performances and were awarded top grades.

Experts who have crunched the numbers on retiree medical cost estimates that factor in Medicare premiums, prescription drugs and the occasional illness project frightening bills – even for healthy individuals.

Citing family obligations and the desire to revise a textbook, Therese (Terri) Vaughan will step down as CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Her effective resignation date in the first quarter of 2013 has not yet been determined.

Although it’s unclear when obesity is deemed “severe” enough to constitute an ADA-protected disability, it is now clear that “morbid” obesity” warrants such protection.

In a gadget-driven world that has nearly erased any boundary line between work and life, there’s an app for just about anything. The employee benefits landscape is no exception.

Are health savings accounts simply better than 401(k) plans?

Employers are invited to participate in third annual survey of the Center for Health Value Innovation, a research tool aimed at pinpointing current innovations and results in health benefit and outcomes-based design.

Getting employees to support health savings accounts depends on the way they’re communicated alongside the concept of a high-deductible health plan, which can be a tricky proposition. But there are solutions at hand.

Health Savings Accounts are estimated to have grown to more than $14.1 billion in assets through June 30, representing 7.1 million accounts, according to a survey and research report by Devenir, a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser based in Minneapolis.

The 1988 Paralympic Games in South Korea changed my outlook on disability - and ultimately helped shift the focus of my group benefits career to disability income insurance and instilled a strong belief in an advocacy-based approach.

For decades, health care consumers have been told once you have a problem, then you should go to the doctor. But now, as high-deductible health plans become ever more prevalent, employers are encouraging employees to go to the doctor first - before they get sick - and in turn the employer will often cover the visit at 100%.

Behavior change may very well be one of the keys to true health care reform. Given the proper market environment, American consumers will respond accordingly and adapt.

While President Barack Obama's open support of same-sex marriage hasn't caused any immediate change in federal law, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled recently that part of the Defense of Marriage Act - which denies federal benefits to same-sex married couples - is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. Noting that a "Supreme Court review of DOMA is highly likely," however, the 1st Circuit put the ruling on hold.