Healthcare reform

Brokers and agents are meeting with senators in an effort to garner support for the Equalizing the Playing Field for Agents and Brokers Act, which aims to offer advisers the same access to marketplace enrollment information as is available to navigators and certified assisters.

Commentary: The instructions clarify a couple of key areas that will simplify how employers file under IRS 6055 and 6056.

Many employers continue to have questions about complicated Affordable Care Act reporting requirements. Earlier this week, SourceMedia's Accounting Today hosted a Web seminar on Understanding Affordable Care Act Reporting which sought to clear some of the confusion about ACA reporting.

Tennessee CO-OP becomes latest to shut down, with more expected to announce closure before the next public exchange enrollment period begins in the next two weeks.

The outline of the Republican's plan contains some similarities with the Affordable Care Act.

Although President Obama signed the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act this week, many employers the legislation is intended to protect remain in limbo.

Carving out FSAs, HSAs and HRAs from the Affordable Care Act’s excise tax would be a good compromise, enabling Americans to set aside money for health care while still allowing employers to control costs.

Offering minimum essential coverage plans not only helps employers stay compliant with the ACA, it can also provide solid compensation for brokers and can lead to gap coverage sales.

Flexible spending accounts have long been a favorite tool among working Americans to help budget for out-of-pocket costs but they could be an unintended casualty of health care reform.

Advisers hoping to remain relevant in a changing health care and benefits landscape must shift product offerings to meet industry trends. Rick Lindquist, president of Zane Benefits, discusses 6 key industry trends to watch.