Sun Life strives for holy grail of voluntary benefits with Assurant acquisition
Sun Life Financials acquisition of the employee benefits unit of Assurant is just the latest move in the insurers growth strategy for the U.S. market.
Insurance
NAIFA president asks Congress to urge DOL to re-propose fiduciary rule
The DOLs proposed fiduciary rule presents complex challenges to advisers, clients and will exacerbate the savings crisis in America, NAIFA warned Congress Thursday two weeks before the comment period on the controversial rule closes.
AMA calls for regulatory review of health insurance company mergers
The recently announced mergers of four of the nations largest health insurance companies threatens to decrease competition in multiple markets, a threat the American Medical Association says will exceed federal antitrust guidelines and warrants regulatory review. Experts agree brokers will need to work with employer clients to find creative solutions to work with limited plan choices and keep premium costs down.
Sun Life to buy Assurant benefits unit
Sun Life Financial Inc., Canadas third-largest life insurer, has agreed to buy the employee-benefits business of Assurant Inc. to further expand its presence in the U.S.
IRS allows employers to test run ACA reporting
The IRS says employers can now do a trial run of their electronic form filing for reporting requirements under the ACA, giving nervous employers and their benefit advisers a way to test for readiness in advance of the reporting deadlines.
ACA exchange marketplace enrollment falls to 9.9 million, U.S. says
About 9.9 million people got health insurance coverage through the marketplaces set up by the ACA as of June 30, a decline from earlier in the year though still higher than the White House administrations target.
Insurers can’t deny gender transition treatment under U.S. plan
Transgender individuals would gain new health care protections in rules proposed Thursday by U.S. regulators.
CMS awards $67M in navigator grants for public exchange
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awards $7 million more than last year to grantees in 34 states.
Bill Ford says health care co-op possible in union negotiations
Ford Motor Co. executive chairman Bill Ford said the company is considering a health-care co-op, an issue the United Auto Workers union has raised in negotiations on a new contract.
Time Inc. makes a bold move to a private exchange
Greg Giangrande, executive vice president, chief human resources officer for Time Inc., is the recipient of EBNs 2015 Benefits Leadership in Health Care Award.
Private benefit exchanges face challenges on backend systems
A PBE's consumer-facing portal may be "the sexy piece," an Accenture exec says, but many clients are looking for help beyond open enrollment.
Meet EBNs Benefits Professional of the Year
Benefits Professional of the Year Marty Webb hits a benefits home run with an overhaul of AT&Ts health and wellness programs and the launch of a health care cost transparency campaign.
Mercer, Jiff launch new partnership
As the health care landscape continues to evolve, the expanding menu of options has made navigating benefits a tricky endeavor for employees and employers alike. But one new partnership aims to help curb the confusion.
Benefit offerings impacted by millennials
Generation Y employees want more customization and education about their benefits and employers need to provide a broad range of offerings while taking a holistic view to contain rising health care costs.
California exchange awards navigator grants, lauds agents
Covered California recently announced $10 million in new grants for the upcoming exchange open-enrollment season awarded to 68 navigator groups, including about 12,000 certified insurance agents who played a pivotal part in enrolling 43% of state residents for 2015.
Maryland to transfer state-run exchange calls to brokers
Pilot program for Maryland Health Connection will have call centers directly transfer consumers to a broker to finish enrollment.
Advisers say ACA has opened opportunities to grow business
Brokers say they increasingly view the ACA as an avenue toward new revenue opportunities and roles around education and communication.
ACA opponents have different views on what should happen next
Those calling for repeal of the Affordable Care Act are split on what to do should the law be repealed.
Health testing, wellness services drive pharmacy satisfaction
Satisfaction with supermarket and chain drug store pharmacies has increased slightly, while satisfaction with mail-order pharmacies has decreased.
The evolution of employee benefits communication
Digital tools are changing the way companies measure the effectiveness of benefit communications.