Practice and client management

With the market condensing to a few big carriers, such as Anthem, adviser Vinnie Daboul predicts the health insurance system is entering a new phase.

The two leaders may not see eye-to-eye on benefits decisions, says consultant Hugh O’Toole, but with the right message a broker can get through to both.

Clients are often surprised to learn they can build up a cash reserve through their policies, says adviser Ari Fischman.

Features such as insurance portability may appeal to workers, but employers need to work hard to convince employees to go with a move away from group coverage, says Hixme’s Denny Weinberg.

If today’s client isn’t intrigued with what an adviser is sharing on sites like LinkedIn, there is no reason to believe that they’ll be interested in person, says Wendy Keneipp.

Features such as insurance portability may appeal to workers, but employers need to work hard to convince employees to go with a move away from group coverage, says Hixme’s Denny Weinberg.

And Daniel J. Lebish believes advisers are “more and more” ready to succeed in this next phase of the business.

Work-life benefits are a win-win for both workers and organizations, but company skepticism is creating barriers to its broad adoption, according to consultant Andy Rix.

As employers increasingly adopt high-deductible health plans, the need to incentivize employees to contribute to an affiliated health savings account is growing.

Latest calculation finds organizations losing $52.4 billion due to turnover, lost productivity and other expenses that can be tied back to unused vacations.

The company’s seen substantial growth in the number of employers and employees using its health benefits platform, says Jiff CEO Derek Newell.

Cost misconceptions keep them from buying policies, which provides educational opportunities for plan sponsors, says Web Benefit Design’s Jessica Campbell.

Advisers can help employees make the connection on the value of these benefits for their whole household through targeted education campaigns.

Latest calculation finds organizations losing $52.4 billion due to turnover, lost productivity and other expenses that can be tied back to unused vacations.

Cost misperceptions keep them from buying policies, which provides an opportunity for advisers, says Web Benefit Design’s Jessica Campbell.

Insurers are getting more aggressive in promoting their voluntary products to brokers through better online tools, including improved agent portals.

Communicating effectively with employees – and being quick to correct worker data – can boost compliance efforts, says Michael Weiskirch of EmployeeTech.

To deliver real value for groups under 100 lives brokers must have more than a salesperson’s mindset, says Sutter Health Plus’s Monica Majors.

United Benefit Advisors is offering updated information on ways advisers can help clients sail through a benefit plan review .

Workers are nearly twice as likely to choose the financial protection products when they’re offered through their employer, finds a recent Cigna study.