Benefits Think Clinical trials: What advisers and plan sponsors need to know
Commentary: Under the ACA, clinical trials offer an expanding frontier for plan sponsors and insurers, says Symetras Marien Diaz.
Healthcare reform
First steps to take with IRS draft ACA reporting instructions
The IRS has released long-awaited draft instructions for the forms employers will use to comply with the ACAs employer mandate, giving benefit advisers and their clients a glimpse of the work ahead for 2015 and how to begin preparing now.
ACA tax rule gets rehearing by full appeals court
The full U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington will rehear a recent court decision that found the ACA's premium subsidies invalid in more than two dozen states due to the laws specific language. A rehearing may reduce the chances of a new Supreme Court showdown over a central element of the health reform law.
Brokers sue Nevada exchange for unpaid commissions
Fed up over unpaid enrollment commissions, benefit advisers are suing the Nevada state exchange and its website contractor Xerox.
HHS names new head of federal HIX
The Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday that Kevin Counihan, the head of Connecticuts state-run exchange will join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as CEO of the Marketplace, also known as the federal governments health care exchange.
Obama offers birth-control coverage compromise for employees of religious nonprofits
The Obama administration has announced a government workaround to allow employees of religious nonprofits access to birth-control coverage even if their employer has opted not to pay for such medicines.
By
Alex Wayne
Employers create game plan for expected health care cost increases
In anticipation of the Affordable Care Acts excise tax, U.S. employers are planning to take more aggressive approaches to projected single-digit increases in health care costs by revisiting the viability of consumer-driven health plans and spousal and dependent coverage.
Small business marketplaces leave room for improvement
Benefit advisers and employers say a host of challenges is not only to blame for stagnant SHOP enrollment, but must be overcome if SHOP is to enjoy any success.
Nearly 7M could enroll outside ACA open enrollment
Although open enrollment for ACA plans is not set to begin until November 15, a new report estimates that nearly 7 million adults may be able to enroll through special enrollment periods.
Brokers question value of SHOP training and marketing
Enrollment on the SHOP exchanges remains stagnant, a concern benefit advisers attribute to inadequate marketing practices. Brokers also remain concerned about the poor quality of training for those assisting employers with enrollment.
IRS publishes guide to health coverage exemptions
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a new one-page publication with information about exemptions to the health coverage requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
Employers consider alternatives as health care costs rise
Employers are seeking help from benefit brokers and advisers as health care costs have them searching for alternatives to the current system of health care delivery.
Will employer-sponsored health insurance survive?
New estimates find the ACA will decrease the number of Americans obtaining health insurance coverage in the future. Can the employer-sponsored health care model survive under these conditions?
IRS provides guidance on covered entities for health insurance fees
The IRS has issued guidance on how the IRS and the Treasury Department will administer the definition of a covered entity for purposes of the health insurance fee under the Affordable Care Act.
Large employers continue shift to CDHPs in 2015
Employers say in 2015 they will continue to shift toward offering CDHPs, but many need adviser help to engage employees in better health care decisions and understand the benefits of a private exchange.
Colorado introduces health plan fees to help fund state HIX
In an effort to raise money for Colorados state health insurance exchange, the board responsible for securing its financing has levied a new fee on all insurance policies issued in Colorado, including those sold off of the exchange.
Technical difficulties plague ACA satisfaction
Many consumers find health care websites tough to navigate and are not satisfied overall, indicating a need to improve the enrollment experience.
Preparing employers for 2015 health plan enrollment growth
Amidst further rollout of the ACAs provisions, researchers expect more employees to enroll in their employer-sponsored health plan for 2015 a surge benefit advisers should be preparing employers to manage.
Employer shared responsibility: The top three questions asked by small business owners
One of the most important issues on the mind of business owners is the Affordable Care Act and its employer shared responsibility provision. Paychex shares the top three ESR questions received from business owners and their responses.
Insurance agency M&A set record pace, but organic growth stays flat
Retiring baby boomers and health care reform law contribute to increased mergers and acquisitions activity.