Is Assurant Health an ACA casualty?
Assurant Health announced this week it will be sold or shut down by the end of 2016, a move the parent company attributes to million-dollar losses as a result of the ACA.
Insurance
Benefits Think The No. 1 reason employees leave their jobs
There are a number of reasons why employees leave their jobs theyre bored and unchallenged, they don't get recognition for their work, they have a strained relationship with their manager but they are all related to a single problem.
Dane Hurtubise
Parklet
Employee savings buoyed by better plan participation
Retirement account balances reached a record high $91,800 in the first quarter of 2015, and more than 1 million people increased the rate at which they are putting money aside for the future.
Health insurers skirt ACA fee
The Internal Revenue Service needs to do better at ensuring that health insurance policy issuers and self-insured plan sponsors pay a fee required under the Affordable Care Act known as the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research fee, according to a new government report.
Assurant Health to be sold or shut down
The parent company of Assurant Health said Tuesday it will sell or shut down the Milwaukee health insurer by the end of next year.
Benefits Think Real-time reporting critical to ACA administration, compliance
The Affordable Care Act brings new administrative complexity to employers offering health plans, making real-time reporting even more critical.
Fiduciary awareness found to be lacking
More than a third of DC plan sponsors are unaware of their fiduciary responsibilities, and some are also confused about what qualifies as a QDIA.
Public exchanges reported to be more satisfying than employer-sponsored coverage
Health insurance plans purchased through public health care exchanges often generate levels of member satisfaction higher than plans obtained through employers, according to a J.D. Power study.
New voluntary products address cash-flow issues
There are a variety of solutions available that brokers can suggest to clients who are seeking to attract and retain millennials, who often have yet to build financial savings.
Benefits Think Valid measures needed in bid for wellness results
Comparing wellness program participants to nonparticipants is a widely repeated mistake. It continues because employers are not schooled in research study design.
Linda K. Riddell
Validation Institute
Cutting-edge tools an adviser needs to embrace online technology
Leverage the changing ways employees access and consume technology to improve benefits communications and look like a rock star to your clients.
Minnesota HIX retools following financial challenges
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, concern has been mounting that Minnesotas state-run HIX is slowly sinking into insolvency exacerbated by downward revisions in projected enrollment and speculation that it could be supplanted by Healthcare.gov at some point.
No one can compete with an independent agent
Insurance company CEOs discuss the essential role of the broker and how they can make themselves stand out as new players enter the insurance space.
Progressive companies take fresh look at what wellness really means
Wellness programs focused on biometric screenings and health risk assessments remain popular but are slowly giving way to more nontraditional wellness benefits such as paid time-off, parenting classes, leadership training and communication and community volunteer projects.
Few Americans compare plans, hospitals, doctors
Although consumer-directed health plans are on the rise, few Americans report comparing the quality and price of plans, hospitals or doctors.
CO-OP value debated after enrollment milestone
More than 1 million Americans enrolled in consumer operated and oriented plans known as CO-OPs over the past 18 months during which average premium rates in states with these nonprofit alternatives to commercial carrier options were found to be lower than those without such plans.
Americans wish Congress, Administration would turn their attention to Rx drugs
With the Affordable Care Act hitting its five year birthday and the second open enrollment period nearly finished, Americans are turning their attention and wishes for Congress and the Obama administration to a focus on prescription drugs.
Voya Financial welcomes Charles Nelson as new CEO of retirement
Voya Financial, Inc. has hired a new CEO of retirement. Charles Nelson will join the company on May 1, overseeing tax-exempt and corporate markets and retail wealth management.
How employers can battle double-digit Rx cost increases
Employers are bracing for double-digit pharmacy cost increases in the next year, but advisers can help them to take steps now to mitigate those cost increases for both their active and pre-retiree populations.
Benefits Think The government wants to tell us how much to pay our doctors
Commentary: All Americans are concerned about escalation of health care expenditures. But, does anyone really want the government in the middle of how we access care? Legislation in New York could make that happen.
Craig Hasday
Frenkel Benefits