Practice and client management

A politically charged morning kicked off the second day of NAHU’s annual meeting in Atlanta Monday with speakers from both sides of the aisle. One Republican policy wonk explained what he thinks is really going on with the ACA.

The National Association of Health Underwriters annual conference kicked off Sunday in Atlanta with a message from outgoing president Bruce Benton of California: “We’re going to ride this out.”

PricewaterhouseCoopers released results of an employee financial wellness study this week and found that 36% of employees in the generation born in the early ’60s through early ’80s say they’re likely to tap into their retirement savings.

A broker-friendly bill to combat the financial impact of the medical loss ratio requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act was filed in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday.

Less than five months before the Affordable Care Act fully kicks in, hospitals are improving care and saving millions of dollars with one of the least touted but potentially most effective provisions of the law.

The three-legged stool of social security, pension and personal savings is going to be a thing of the past for most of today’s workforce.

Many people have a horrible memory of their first time speaking in public. Dry throat, nerves, the works. But there are ways to improve.

A new study confirms that a majority of large and mid-size U.S. employers are planning to change provider payment models to become more cost effective.

The establishment of a national clearing house for brokers to cut through the red tape of state-by-state licensing is one step closer to reality.

Historically, voluntary benefits have been dismissed by busy agents as more trouble than they are worth, but with the Affordable Care Act moving closer to full implementation, agents looking to keep existing clients and gain new business should give them a closer look. Still not convinced? Following are five reasons for incorporating voluntary benefits into client proposals: …

When choosing an employer, about 87% of prospective employees favor a company that has a wellness program in place, finds Virgin HealthMiles. But with the return on investment of such programs in question, will they continue to gain favor with employers as well?

Prudential Financial Inc. and MetLife Inc. are moving onto Aflac Inc.’s turf selling protection against diseases and accidents as the largest insurers seek to add business tied to the Affordable Care Act and win valuations like their smaller rival.

There are many things in life that are out of our control. We can complain, muse, become paralyzed - or we can choose to find and capitalize on the opportunity. What comes to mind is the Affordable Care Act and the concern, worry and anxiety that it has created for many.

Businesses in the U.S. won more freedom to charge higher insurance premiums to workers who don’t meet health goals, or reward those who shape up, under rules released by the Obama administration.

With the ongoing shift in the business spurred by health reform, change itself is not enough to survive, said the head of a networking organization for independent benefit brokerages and consulting firms Wednesday in New Orleans.

Three reasons why all benefit consultants need to get into the retirement business by The Guardian’s Stephen Davis.

EBA editor Elizabeth Galentine on how the Affordable Care Act may actually have some positives for brokers, advisers

Craig Davidson on how cutting employee hours due to health reform may infringe upon federal law.

Jack Kwicien on how brokers can monetize relationships they already have by unveiling a new action plan.

Nelson Griswold on how brokers need to move from transactional to consultative selling due to changes brought upon by the Affordable Care Act.