Amid growing balances, HSAs take center stage
Tailored communications recommended as focus becomes more strategic, with new investment options on the horizon.
Insurance
The year in commentary: Broker commission losses and the future of healthcare
EBA bloggers spent 2016 discussing major changes to employee benefits, including what can be done to stem costs and save adviser salaries.
Unum dental, vision plans set to go live January 1
In the wake of its Starmount acquisition, the insurer is expanding into new supplemental coverage, which it calls ‘a boost for brokers.’
Consumer-centric platforms lead industry advancement
Recent Mercer acquisition of Thomsons Online Benefits cements broker requirement to be comfortable with technology or be left behind.
Year in regulation: new policies may not see the light of day
With a new president and Republican control of congress, the fate of many rules prepped to go into effect in 2017 are now in doubt.
Year in business: ‘An administrative nightmare’
Keeping up with changing regulations and growing insurance costs dominated professional concerns for advisers in 2016.
Small employers expected to offer HRAs after law passed
The 21st Century Cures Act, signed by President Obama, re-opens the door for companies with fewer than 50 employees to offer money to purchase individual health policies
Can a hands-off management approach hurt benefit plans?
Many business leaders are ill-informed as to how effective their medical insurance is and how satisfied their employees are with the service, a new study shows.
Anthem-Cigna deal cast by U.S. as risk to patients, providers
Witnesses say combination will squeeze reimbursement rates as the insurers counter that merger will lower healthcare costs.
Life insurance gender gap grows
Women are increasingly lagging behind men in acquiring the coverage, LIMRA study shows.
Benefits Think How to know if a health plan meets affordability requirements
Despite the Trump administration’s insistence that it will repeal and replace the ACA, reporting is proceeding as planned.
Arthur Tacchino
SyncStream Solutions
Benefits Think 4 important questions about HSAs under the new fiduciary rule
The potential ERISA status of health savings accounts can cause confusion for advisers, says attorney Shelby George.
Shelby George
Manning & Napier
Small employers expected to offer HRAs after new Act passed
The 21st Century Cures Act, signed by President Obama earlier this week, re-opens the door for companies with fewer than 50 employees to offer money to purchase individual health policies
Year in regulation: new policies may not see the light of day
With a new president and Republican control of congress, the fate of many rules prepped to go into effect in 2017 are now in doubt.
PBE Index flat against previous month
With many companies currently conducting open enrollment, numbers are expected to rise come January.
Benefits Think Tread carefully on new HRA law allowing individual coverage reimbursements
The intricacies of a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement will create hazards for employers and advisers who don’t follow the rules closely.
David C. Smith
Ebenconcepts
Biggest people moves of 2016: Zenefits, Aflac, Willis C-suite departures, more
Several big names left influential companies this year, including both Parker Conrad and David Sacks stepping down as CEO of Zenefits.
Benefits Think How to know if a health plan meets affordability requirements
Despite the Trump administration’s insistence that it will repeal and replace the ACA, reporting is proceeding as planned.
Arthur Tacchino
SyncStream Solutions
The new perspective millennials bring to benefits
Generation Y is 75 million strong and making its mark on the workplace.
Biggest business moves of 2016: M&As, antitrust suits and rising organic growth
This year saw record merger & acquisition activity from industry giants such as Aetna, with much continuing to play out into 2017.
