What forward-thinking advisers are doing post-ACA
Jack Kwicien on what forward-thinking advisers are doing to adjust to ACA changes.
Healthcare reform
Advisers shouldnt let health care reform control their future
Mel Schlesinger on why advisers shouldnt let health care reform control their future
EBA speaks with PPACA CO-OPs trade organization
PPACA CO-OPs have a trade organization, but funding cuts mean there isn't funding for future groups.
Exchanges can close health care ‘Bermuda Triangle,’ expert contends
Representatives from private health insurance exchanges assert that exchanges are hitting the ground running and that they are well-equipped to help employers meet the diverse health needs of employees.
Ticking time bomb
NBC Universals medical director voices concern about the lack of education for high-deductible health plans, particularly as exchanges come online.
3-year anniversary: Important milestones for PPACA
This week marks the third anniversary of President Barack Obama signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As benefits professionals look toward the laws full implementation next year, here is a quick look at important dates for PPACA past and future.
Avoid communications problems with 2013 open enrollment
Targeting specific demographics will be critical to 2013 open enrollment communications, says Univers Dani McCauley. McCauley tells EBN that employers will face a challenging landscape this year communicating health care reform and other benefits changes.
2013 open enrollment may be true test for benefits communications
Communicating ahead of open enrollment is both a broader and a more specific challenge in a post-health care reform world. One expert at Univers talks about how she is prepping her clients and tips for how employers should plan.
New MLR bill hits Senate, House bill to come
New legislation was issued last night in the Senate that would remove broker compensation from the MLR calculation.
Michigan judge blocks health care mandate for contraceptives
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction on PPACAs contraception requirement, saying an employers First Amendment rights could be irreparably harmed if the mandate was enforced while a lawsuit was pending.
Congressman: 3 health care revolutions imminent
Despite the progress made through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on health care access, there are challenges to come from health reform, said Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisc.) Thursday at the AHIP National Policy Forum in Washington.
Refusal to expand Medicaid may cost employers $1 billion
Governors who refuse to expand their Medicaid programs for the poor may cost employers in their states as much as $1.3 billion in federal fines, according to a new study.
Time for the industry to focus on cost
Most brokers who plan to stay in the industry in 2014 are learning to embrace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. But as two health policy minds from opposite sides of the political spectrum discussed Wednesday at Americas Health Insurance Plans conference in Washington, unknown effects of PPACA and rising costs of health care should still be on the minds of carriers and brokers alike.
Industry leaders oppose MLR regs at AHIP, but give no nod to action
The MLR regulations under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are misguided, according to AHIP attendees. An engaged crowd at Wednesdays Americas Health Insurance Plans conference in Washington listened to a panel dissect this issue from what the speakers said were unfounded claims of carrier profitability by the government, to the restrictions placed on innovation as a result of high ratio requirements.
How employers are getting creative with PPACA
Two employers shared how theyve gotten creative with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at Thursdays National Business Group on Health conference in Washington. One chose to move to a new consumer-driven health plan and the other chose a private exchange through Aon Hewitt.
Consulting leaders advise employers to be nimble amid changing health care landscape
Health care consultants from Mercer, Aon Hewitt and Towers Watson offered advice at a recent National Business Group on Health event in Washington, D.C.
Health plan members interested in public exchanges
Nearly half of all health plan members in the group and individual markets nationwide say they are interested in using a state exchange to purchase health insurance, according to a new survey by J.D. Power and Associates.
Get going: 3 things you need to know this week
Were starting your week with three important facts, developments or conversations from recent and upcoming events. This week, well look at why uninsured Americans hospital bills are so high, more official steps forward by HHS on public exchanges and HHS goals for tech improvements in 2013.
Guess Who is going to be a Fiduciary Soon?
Probably you. The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) is moving forward in its quest to define who is a fiduciary for various client/adviser transactions.
Get going: 3 things you need to know this week
Were starting your week with three important facts, developments or conversations from recent and upcoming events. This week, we look at the new IRS guidelines, final ruling from CMS on MLR ratio and whats going on in Europe with retirement taxes.