Practice and client management

Nelson Griswold on what insurance brokerages need to keep up with health reform.

Mel Schlesinger on how brokers, advisers can redesign a benefit proposal.

Jack Kwicien on how to engage clients in a meaningful way

Craig Davidson on what health insurance stores should look like under health reform.

Buck Consultants is the latest benefit and consulting firm to form a private exchange. The move aims to reduce employer uncertainty about 2014 by reducing costs and increasing employee health care options.

Early bird gets the worm. That’s an applicable motto for the National Association of Health Underwriters Capitol Conference attendees, who packed into a hotel on Capitol Hill early Tuesday morning for an overflowing session of speakers, from a senator to a president of a health insurance enrollment non-profit to Mercer and Wellpoint representatives.

Mercer is one of the latest companies to enter the private exchange game, and the consulting giant gave employers an opportunity to check out the service during a conference call Thursday. Company executives revealed some of those specifics during the call, especially during the Q&A period for the audience.

The National Association of Health Underwriters hosts its annual Capitol Conference on Capitol Hill this week, bringing business leaders and bipartisan legislators together to discuss the changing marketplace and pending health reform regulations. Employee Benefit Adviser will be on site at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill to bring you coverage from this summit.

Most of us are aware of the 5500 filing requirements for companies with 100 or more employees covered on their health and welfare plans. Might there be service differentiator and prospecting opportunities available if we have a thorough understanding of the mechanics of the 5500 process?

More than half of employers have not calculated the costs of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but of those that have, 61% say PPACA has increased their expenses.

The role of brokers in the new world of health care in 2014 is changing, and while it’s tough, there are five key marching orders for making the most of it. This sentiment opened the Workplace Benefits Renaissance in Atlantic City, N.J. on Monday with a keynote from Andrew Webber, the president and CEO of the National Business Coalition on Health based in Washington, D.C.

Cigna Corp., the third biggest health insurer by market value, raised its forecast for 2013 profit and said fourth-quarter earnings rose 49%, boosted by rising enrollment in its Medicare plans for seniors.

While brokers are experiencing anxiety about their role in exchanges, employees of all types may be confused about their options — thus providing brokers the chance to come to the rescue with targeted communication on the subject.

With PPACA implementation in full swing, the top four broker organizations set their sights on making inroads on Capitol Hill to secure regulatory fixes.

There’s no end in sight to rise of voluntary critical illness insurance benefits.

Mercer health benefit consultants have come up with a short list of what employer health plan sponsors need to keep top-of-mind in the New Year:

Cash balance pension plan proves to be popular solution for business owners seeking tax relief.

What employers and brokers need to know and do to success under the new health care reform model.

Mel Schlesinger on what one thing would you change in your business?

Jack Kwicien on how brokerages should become consultative in this era of health reform.