Congressional support sought for health information technology
Lawmakers are pushing through several pieces of legislation that encourage better health information technology, especially interoperability, which will help reduce medical errors.
Technology
State asks brokers to target elusive uninsured for HIX enrollment
After two enrollment seasons under the Affordable Care Act's exchanges, the easily accessible and amenable are signed up for health care. With year three starting this fall, the task will be tougher to target the remaining uninsured, who are harder to reach. Who better to drive the message home, Washington state thinks, than brokers?
Benefits Think 3 solutions to meeting ACAs 6055 and 6056 reporting requirements
Commentary: In response to confusion over the IRSs role in verifying employers are meeting minimum essential coverage and employer shared responsibility requirements, dozens of ACA reporting have entered the market in the last two years. EmployeeTechs Michael Weiskirch shares how to find the right tracking solution for your clients.
Michael Weiskirch
Employee Tech
Cost savings on private HIX not sustainable in a silo
Although most employers who move to private exchanges are seeing some cost savings below trend in their initial years, that is not sustainable over time, says Rob Harkins, practice leader, private exchanges at Willis Group. For Willis, the exchange is not designed to be a long-term money-saving product on its own, but rather part of a larger program for its clients to manage health and wellbeing.
Latest insurance hack more devastating than Anthem
Premera Blue Cross, serving the Northwest and Alaska, was hacked beginning last May, and even more sensitive data was exposed than in the Anthem hack.
Sears employees discover value in private exchange
As many as 90,000 Sears employees are finding it easier to shop for health care, are savvier about their coverage choices and finally understand the meaning of value since the 129-year-old retailer switched to a private health insurance exchange three years ago.
Employee payment app renders traditional pay cycle obsolete
Some employees cant even afford to wait for their next paycheck to arrive, and for them theres a new app for that assuming their employer is willing to go along with it.
Apple Watch marketed as personal health, fitness companion
Calling it the most personal device the company has ever created, Apple on Monday officially launched its smartwatch designed as a comprehensive health and fitness companion.
White House initiative to spur job growth in tech sector
A new initiative announced by the White House Monday will bring $100 million in grant opportunities to create new high-tech jobs.
Why Hilton Worldwide moved to a private exchange
Rather than drop benefits in the Americas, which Hilton says would hurt not only its employees but hotel guests too, the company decided to move to a private exchange. During that process, one of the biggest critics of the move was the companys vice president of benefits.
Benefits Think ACA reporting: No rest for the weary HR technologist
Commentary: HR professionals must band together to share how we are handling our ACA reporting responsibilities and to pressure our vendor suppliers for better solutions and continued innovation, says Lockton's Matthew Kaiser.
Can wearable fitness trackers break Americas sedentary habits?
Americans are sedentary, and physical activity levels are abysmal. Its no secret that being active is associated with profound benefits.
How private exchanges are helping with overall health improvement
Industry analysts praise one-stop shopping tools as a positive reason why many employers are moving to private exchanges. At Xeroxs Buck Consultants, 100% of employees enrolling through the companys exchange engaged with its technology and made an average of 11.5 return visits, says Sherri Brockhorst, leader of the RightOpt exchange at Buck.
Health care sector flying high 5 years into ACA
The many tradeoffs that health insurers had to make from both a regulatory and plan-design standpoint in order to adapt under the Affordable Care Act appear to be paying off as the landmark legislation approaches its five-year mark.
Big data? Dont let it fool you
Employers have the ability to accumulate enormous amounts of information about a wide variety of subjects, and leveraging that data can be very powerful and impactful.
Tech startups help employees navigate health care system
Technology has clearly revolutionized health care from mobile apps that help employees stay fit and eat right to telemedicine that brings operational efficiency to treatment. But perhaps most compelling is the way it is helping elevate the open-enrollment experience in keeping with the intended consumer-friendly spirit of the Affordable Care Act.
New website wants to be the Yelp of the agent community
Agentreview.net launches this month, aiming to give consumers one location to find and critique local insurance agents.
Why one carrier thinks brokers are diluting the private exchange message
As many brokerages offer a private exchange to their clients, carriers who run their own are working extra hard to educate customers about their offerings, says Lisa Feddema, director, exchange management, Health Care Service Corp.
Obama says cyberthreat onslaught requires joint defense
President Barack Obama said the number of Internet threats against the U.S. government and business computers necessitates a coordinated effort by federal and private security specialists.
Benefits Think Are smartphones taking over health care?
Commentary: Collective information is the new frontier when it comes to big data in the health care realm, says Locktons Kayla ONeal
