Practice management

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.

EBA editor Elizabeth Galentine on why communication is important in benefits business

A day in the life of Jennifer Mitchen, Hoosier Benefit Plans owner.

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.

Craig Davidson says brokerages and small business owners should not be down about failure.

Nelson Griswold on how under health reform a carrier will not determine how much a broker is worth.

John Lamb on helping employees that have reached the tipping point on health care spending.

It may be a while before we face the holiday season again, but since sooner is always better than later, now is the time to address what has come to be known as "the Christmas bonus." Every year someone calls me the Grinch because I'm the guy who points out the ineffectiveness of the holiday bonus. Employee benefit advisers, brokers and consultants need to recognize there exists more creative vehicles that can serve as incentive programs to drive and maintain growth, as well as recruit and retain key talent.

When you think of client diversity, what comes to mind? Do you believe being a generalist is the appropriate course for your future?

As an employee benefits adviser with a major share of your business in health insurance, it is easy to focus on all the challenges in front of you. How can you turn lemons into lemonade? Live an attitude of gratitude and try to remember challenges bring opportunities and no matter how bad you think you have it, someone else usually has it worse.

Business owners are counting on increased referrals for a significant portion of their development plans. How successful those efforts will be is determined in large part by how well strategic plans are written. Read on for some key elements to address.

Today’s business world is global, and providing insurance mandated by the government for contractors with employees at oversea military bases can present a great opportunity for a broker, says EBA Blogger Sam Fleet.

Guest blogger Linda K. Riddell shows how an eye for detail and some simple calculations could prove to be a life-saver for employees that are overusing/abusing narcotic painkillers. As always, share your thoughts in the comments.

As you look back on 2012, EBA Blogger Andy Torelli says now is the best time to develop a realistic business plan for 2013 and provides the real things to look back on.