Practice management

For millions of low-income Americans, the road to health care reform in 2014 could prove to be a jagged line as they bounce between public exchanges and Medicaid as their income fluctuates over the year.

A group of Republican representatives on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are demanding answers from the U.S. Treasury about the decision-making process behind the latest delay to the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate.

Commentary: Top lessons from retail that brokers and consultants can leverage to engage employees in benefits selection and produce a positive experience with benefits shopping.

From the latest in voluntary benefits to the challenges businesses face under the Affordable Care Act, speakers at the 2014 Workplace Benefits Renaissance — held Feb. 24-26 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J — will address a range of timely topics.

The number of employers contributing to their employees’ HSA or HRA continues to grow, reaching a record high in 2013, according to a new Employee Benefit Research Institute report. However, the dollar amount of employer and employee contributions is slipping.

Commentary: If the hard part of the job is prospecting, and the easy part is selling to qualified, interested prospective clients, what can you do to make prospecting easier and more productive? Jack Kwicien explains.

Employees fear the financial impact of a critical illness more than dying from one. Take advantage of the growing popularity of this voluntary benefit today.

Selecting the right partner requires focused consideration of the attributes of the ideal partnering relationship. Jack Kwicien shares the strengths and opportunity areas of your business that will determine who the ideal candidate will be.

Large and mid-sized agencies and brokerage firms enjoyed a six-year high in revenue growth and profitability in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to Reagan Consulting’s quarterly Organic Growth and Profitability survey.

Monday's IRS decision to allow some smaller employers even more time to comply with the ACA's employer mandate has some in the industry applauding, others frustrated.

The Bright Choices Exchange is designed to offer ancillary benefits and access to mid-sized and large employers nationwide.

Mindfulness is making its way into the workplace, thanks in part to Janice Marturano, who left her 15-year tenure as an executive at General Mills to teach employees of all kinds how to train their brain to focus solely on the task at a hand. In her view, it’s whole-body wellness.

Are you just one more agent with the same products and the same approach who is trying to win business by having a longer list of promised services? Or are you viewed by prospects and clients as an expert in benefits? Columnist Mel Schlesinger shares how to achieve thought leader status.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) has changed the way your clients manage their employees’ disability leaves. The Standard has found five mistakes employers may make when considering ADAAA accommodations.

How will the ACA and associated changes in the employee benefit market impact the role of the broker? A recent LIMRA survey of small businesses reveals areas where brokers need to step up to the plate.

AOL Inc. blamed President Barack Obama’s health care law for its plan to reduce spending on contributions to employees’ 401(k) retirement plans.

Commentary: Everyone has them — and loves them. Customers who never complain, who keep coming back, who pay promptly and who appear satisfied. But beware of passive customer loyalty, says sales pro John Graham.

Commentary: So you want to expand your centers of influence, but you’re not sure where to start? Daymark Advisors’ Jack Kwicien shares a simple idea that works. And best of all, it is easy to implement.

Humana Inc. said it has received 202,000 applications for health insurance through the Obamacare exchanges and reaffirmed its 2014 forecast citing better-than-expected Medicare membership growth.

Commentary: The other shoe dropped on Tuesday and columnist Craig Davidson isn't shocked.