Practice management

Consumers couldn’t access parts of the U.S. government’s online insurance exchange Monday, after a weekend of technical upgrades failed to eliminate delays in the hobbled system at the heart of the health care overhaul.

Will Heavin averaged 5-6 inquires a day last week, all from developing signage and opening his office doors for the public to walk in and find out about the exchanges.

Exchange prep, however, will go a long way to help employers prepare for the delayed employer mandate. Figure out whether you are an applicable large employer and if you are, start measuring. Otherwise, you could be left scrambling.

Eager to meet client needs — and keep their business — brokers hunt for information on individual exchanges, but are cautioned not to ignore the SHOP market.

On Facebook, brokers were quick to share their experiences of looking at and attempting to work with the exchanges.

Questions arise about phone enrollment on the East Coast, while the West Coast deals with a backlog that’s left brokers without necessary certification.

Technical difficulties leave advisers in the dark as they scramble to answer client questions on the launch of the ACA’s health insurance exchanges

The lights are out at the federal government, but what implications does the shutdown have for employers who have daily business to pursue with the federal government and agencies?

The strategies of insurers like UnitedHealth Group and WellPoint are under the microscope as data from four of the five largest U.S. states is collected by SNL Financial Group.

The ‘Obamacare’ insurance exchanges got off to a rocky start, with many websites meant to provide new access to the uninsured seeing delays or breakdowns.

The three-year effort to open the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges culminates today, beset by logistical delays and efforts by Republicans to shut down the U.S. government in protest.

Some brokers are eager to start enrollment on Oct. 1 and others want to wait and see what happens, but either way, no one expects people to be knocking down their doors on the first day.

What’s next for the ACA’s health insurance exchanges and how will employers respond?

Small businesses won’t be able to enroll in new online health insurance marketplaces until Nov. 1 in most U.S. states, the latest delay for the Obama administration’s signature health care law.

Find out more on these ongoing legal spats over the Affordable Care Act and how employers are involved in the arguments.

Pharmacy benefit management specialists say that as prices skyrocket, more and more employers will narrow pharmacies and prescriptions for their employees.

Greg Kasten’s outside-the-box thinking and success rate at getting employees truly on track for retirement made him the ideal candidate for this year’s award.

Craig Davidson explains how to help clients with the most complicated of health plan admin duties.

John Lamb provides benefit statement strategies to enhance the total value of benefits to all employees.

Mel Schlesinger addresses how the seemingly age-old tactic of direct mail can still boost sales today.