Practice management

Commentary: Blogger Mark Gaunya discusses a niche way some smaller employers might find appealing as a self-funding strategy to control health care costs. It’s called a captive solution.

Two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions signal a need for benefit advisers to review clients’ plan documents and ensure they include thorough enforceable terms.

Commentary: Guest blogger Rich Fahn, a small business-focused benefit broker, gives advice for the challenging conversations brokers will have to have with many small groups as premium hikes are mounting.

Helping employers with benefits education is often cited as a key advantage of private health care exchanges, and while educating employees on their benefit choices was noted as a top challenge in a recent employer survey, only 2% of those surveyed have opted for a private exchange.

Commentary: Columnist Jack Kwicien notes that the future for benefits brokerages is unpredictable and tough, so one survival strategy might just be the private exchange.

While many in the industry think voluntary sales is a no-brainer for benefit advisers and employees alike, there's one type of product that hasn't seen a boost thanks to the ACA.

The self-insurance option for small businesses doesn’t seem to be as popular for managing ACA costs and mandates as some in the industry once thought.

A perpetual link to the workplace is common for most Americans, thanks to technology. Some employers allow for flexible work arrangements, but this permanent connectivity is being seen as damaging to morale and productivity.

How many individuals and families that selected a health plan in the federally facilitated health insurance marketplace have paid their first month’s premium? Depends on whom you ask.

Commentary: Blogger Craig Hasday wants you to know what this new law could mean for advisers, and Washington.

Despite a reliance on Healthcare.gov because their state-run exchange legislation was passed later than others, Idaho came out on top during open enrollment 2014 and the state has brokers to thank for a lot of it.

While many firms are back in hiring mode, one strategic private company adviser says companies can boost their bottom line and retain their qualified workforce by working to offer a more competitive total benefits package to current workers.

When the government announced last summer that it was delaying the employer mandate, many employers let out a sigh of relief. They relaxed. However, now it’s time to pick up the pace again. Before you know it, 2015 and 2016 will be here and the ACA will be an everyday reality for employers.

Despite great strides in broad employer acceptance of flexible work arrangements, the idea that being physically present in the office means higher productivity is still alive and well.

Most times when we think of the idea of bullying we associate it with the schoolyard. However, workplace bullying is a real issue facing benefit departments. Bullying can affect the mental health and productivity of employees, and the bottom line of companies that fail to deal with it.

One brokerage has gone as far as to create a position internally to only analyze claims. Why you need to get on the data bandwagon, too.

Benefit advisers should be familiar with certain grace periods when employers can avoid penalties.

Topping the recent California rate of 39%, brokers on this state-run exchange completed more than 36,000 of the private health plan enrollments. Their record with SHOP enrollments, however, was a different story.

IRS issues annual health spending account contribution limits and out-of-pocket maximums.

Only a little over half of small businesses understand and are prepared for the changes required by the Affordable Care Act, according to a new survey.