Private benefit exchanges

The New Year marks a start for ACA compliance, and while many employers struggle to comply with the specifics, it’s a good reminder to focus on where you are now and how you plan to move forward.

Early next year, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a case that labor law and health care benefit advisers say could affect the Affordable Care Act’s strict employer mandate penalties.

Early next year, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a case that labor law and health care benefit advisers say could affect the Affordable Care Act’s strict employer mandate penalties.

The use of private health insurance exchanges may boom in the next three years if employer sentiments in the latest survey from the Private Exchange Evaluation Cooperative hold true.

To really dig deep into private exchanges, it would behoove employers to understand some of the characteristics different exchanges offer.

The ACA and private exchanges could change the game when it comes to employer-sponsored health coverage. Sharon Goodman, principal at Slevin & Hart, and the International Foundation for Employee Benefit Plans provide eight areas employers need to look at when considering a private exchange. [Images: Fotolia]

The private and public exchanges offer employers an opportunity to help manage costs and provide personalized benefits, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution, industry experts say.

Many employers are turning to private health care exchanges to rein in costs — and benefit consulting firms are reaping the benefits, according to a new report from Moody’s Investor Services.

Experts from Aon Hewitt and Digital Insurance who have private exchanges say communicating early and

Digital Benefit Advisors launches a private exchange in Vermont, with plans to expand to a handful of states within 90 days, a company executive told Employee Benefit Adviser Tuesday.

Vermont is the first state to divulge rates for public health insurance exchanges. EBA spoke with Mark Larson, commissioner of the department of Vermont health access.

Willis North America announces the creation of its own private exchange and InsureXSolutions adds ancillary benefits to its existing product list.

Mercer’s private exchange now has more than 20 carriers signed on to provide benefits, including dental, vision, life and disability products. Find out what carriers were added.

Mercer has announced an initial group of insurance carriers that will offer benefits through Mercer Marketplace, the company’s private benefits exchange for employers’ active employees and their families.

EBA Exclusive: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services took a firm stand on the discussion after a U.S. Senate HELP Committee hearing Thursday in Washington.

The emerging private HIX model for active employee populations will learn valuable lessons about how this approach has been applied to the retiree marketplace in recent years. One issue worth closer examination involves the prospect of hosting an off-cycle benefits enrollment.

Can’t decide which way to go on a public or private health insurance exchange, or how those two models even differ? Stumped by the merits of a single-carrier vs. multi-carrier exchange? Want to know which of the industry’s many players will turn out to be the right HIX partner?

A close observer of the health care consumerism movement was somewhat surprised by the reaction to his bold prediction that a proposed elimination of health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) from private health exchanges for most active employees would sabotage this model.

It is estimated there are more than 100 private exchanges in existence, with each one promoting unique or distinguishing characteristics in a crowded marketplace. Given the enormity of services offered to employers of many shapes and sizes, there are bound to be some conflicting claims that require an asterisk to eliminate any confusion for prospective customers.

Sam Smith, a member of California’s SHOP exchange advisory group and president-elect of CAHU, predicts a bright future for adviser involvement in PPACA’s state health insurance.