NBCH’s new CEO outlines key initiatives
Michael Thompson discusses how the National Business Coalition on Health plans to address consolidation in the benefits industry and a proposal for a well-being institute.
Healthcare reform
Benefits Think 6 ways to fix the healthcare system
Presidential candidates are unlikely to advocate for any of these changes so it’s up to employers and their advisers to take a run at them.
Craig Hasday
Frenkel Benefits
Benefits Think The six things we need to do to fix the healthcare system
But don’t expect any of the presidential candidates to advocate these changes. More knowledgeable stakeholders like advisers are going to have to take a run at this.
Craig Hasday
Frenkel Benefits
How employers are adapting to a post-ACA environment
Data analytics and delivery system reform are areas of focus in the private sector, says Kathleen Sebelius, former U.S. secretary of HHS.
Employers adapting to post-ACA environment
Delivery system reform and improved population health are two areas of the Affordable Care Act that haven’t received as much attention from employers as the Cadillac tax, said Kathleen Sebelius, former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services this week at an NBGH conference.
Benefits Think How does the ACA apply to LTD and STD recipients?
Do employer clients need to give individuals receiving disability payments an offer of health plan coverage?
David M. Pixley
Graydon Head
Benefits Think Obama administration offers ACA transition relief for student employees
In joint guidance issued last week the DOL, Treasury and HHS clarified the application of health care reform provisions on student health coverage.
Patricia Moran
Mintz Levin
Senate votes to repeal most of the ACA despite veto threat
The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to repeal the core of the Affordable Care Act, bringing Congress closer to sending legislation to President Barack Obama for the first time that would dismantle his signature domestic achievement.
Benefits Think 1099 employees: ACA protection may be found missing
Commentary: An employers argument that their classification of a 1099 employee should be respected because its how the employee is classified will go over like a lead balloon. The risk of misclassification under the ACA could be significant, says lawyer Peter Marathas.
Peter Marathas
Marathas Barrow & Weatherhead LLP
Benefits Think HRAs: Whats permitted and whats prohibited (an update for 2016)
Commentary: Adviser David C. Smith says hes seen a handful of imaginative approaches that all fail to satisfy the IRSs prohibition on standalone Health Reimbursement Arrangements.
David C. Smith
Ebenconcepts
Top videos of 2015: Must-have products and serious issues
EBA Advisers of the Year, as well as other industry insiders, share their insight on some of the major issues employee benefit brokers face. Take a look as these experts reflect on everything from the Cadillac tax to benefits technology to voluntary products.
ACA reporting: A must-do for benefit advisers
ACA reporting becomes mandatory in 2016. Preparing employers to be compliant with reporting requirements is a core service that advisers should be offering, industry experts say.
How to overcome executive benefit challenges
Implementing top-tier plans poses unique obstacles for advisers and their employer clients.
Benefits Think Set up to fail:Obamacare CO-OPs had no chance from the beginning
Commentary: The reality is that the CO-OPs could not overcome the most vital aspect of our insurance infrastructure: maintaining adequate reserves, says adviser David C. Smith.
David C. Smith
Ebenconcepts
Supreme Court agrees to hear another challenge to the ACAs birth control mandate
The Supreme Court of the United States Friday agreed to hear another challenge to the ACA's birth control mandate. Its the fourth time the Affordable Care Act will be considered by the Supreme Court and follows the controversial ruling in last years closely watched Hobby Lobby case.
Benefits Think Risk corridor shortfalls are wreaking more havoc on our health care system
Commentary: Risk adjustment programs were intended to be self-supporting and clearly this has not been the case, says adviser Craig Hasday.
Craig Hasday
Frenkel Benefits
Are ACOs the next big thing in private exchanges?
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.
Budget act strikes ACA auto-enrollment provision
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 will repeal the Affordable Care Acts 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.
Cost of ACA health premiums are climbing
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.
Specific steps employers are taking to fend off the Cadillac tax
The ACAs 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.