Practice and client management

Consumers cite complex language, lack of time as roadblocks to making a purchase, study finds.

Brokers and agents say the state exchanges did little to engage them during the first enrollment period under the ACA, and many in the industry agree improving the partnership between the exchanges and brokers will be critical to the survival of the state marketplaces.

Not all corporate data breaches are of the spectacular variety that health insurer Anthem recently announced, involving 80 million members. But any company that offers a wellness program needs to take special precautions to ensure employee health information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Broker information was not compromised as part of a cyber-attack on Anthem’s IT system and the carrier says it is working with brokers to assist and inform their clients about the breach.

Commentary: Step up your game or your clients may choose to become your competitors, says the head of Pittsburgh Business Group on Health

EBA is looking for industry leaders age 35 and younger to be featured our April issue.

Commentary: The real marketing revolution rejects the idea that marketing is something companies do. John Graham shares 3 ways to turn your clients into your sales team.

Benefit Advisors Network partners with exchange firm to help clients get coverage for benefit-ineligible employees.

The addition of a Roth in-plan conversion feature to a company's 401(k) plan may be viewed by executives as an important tax planning tool.

An atypical market culture has left benefit firms vulnerable to the destructive powers of inertia, says Joe Markland, and advisers must change their mindset to survive.

Both groups place a high importance on life insurance and are most receptive to it, LIMRA finds.

Stomach, headache claims rise significantly following the Super Bowl, study shows.

Department of Labor audits of employee benefit plans are on the rise and experts agree benefit advisers should be preparing their employer clients now for that impending knock on the door.

Brokers cite rate increases, increased complexity and poor plan quality as top concerns with the health care law.

When it comes to private exchange operators, Array Health differs from most, in that the technology company powers many insurers’ private exchanges, including Highmark Blue Shield in Pittsburgh and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The company’s CEO shares how private exchanges are changing the way health care is sold in the United States.

Automatic features in 401(k) plans have proved highly effective at increasing employee engagement in saving for retirement, so why are some employers still not offering them?

Any new regulations must address ‘real problems in the marketplace,’ NAIFA says.

Russ Blakely’s partnership with a Tennessee physician network is strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and saving scores of money in the process

Regulatory changes continue to challenge health and life insurance carriers to meet new market demands and stay competitive. Benefit advisers also looking to remain relevant should watch closely carrier reaction to these key issues in 2015.

It was just a year ago that VSP Global and Google, Inc. teamed up to offer Google Glass prescription lenses and frames at a subsidized price. But Google Glass’s announcement last week that it was halting sales of the product raises questions about VSP’s future role.