Benefits Selling Magazine April 2011
Cover Story
2011 Broker of the Year Finalists
In 2009, John T. Newby founded ETMG in Austin, Texas – where his company functions as distributor between carriers and brokers to design plans that meet specific client needs.
Feedback
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Readers hit back online
Your article (“Lent Trap,” March 9 Editor’s Blog) is right on the money. If [the Department of Health and Human Services] is going to waive the requirements of ObaminationCare for all
Storeylines
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Fear and loathing and 401(k)s
LAS VEGAS – A trade show can be a boon for a stumped writer starved for material. A trade show in Las Vegas can be the mother lode – or a disaster.
Benefits Newswire
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Employers a growing source for health info
More employees are turning to their employers to be a resource for medical and health information.
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Workers favor one-on-one benefits counseling
Almost all employees who take part in individual benefits counseling sessions say they better understand their benefits, according to Colonial Life.
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Stats on health care decision makers
Women, younger individuals, and individuals who experienced an increase in either premiums or cost sharing are more likely to seek information on health care costs, quality, and access in order to make informed decisions.
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Top wellness concerns for 2011
Employees were asked: Which health issue are you most trying to stay ahead of this year?
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Heart conditions top CI claims
Heart and vascular conditions account for more than half of all claims paid on Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Co.’s critical illness insurance policies. According to Colonial Life claims statistics,
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Special report: The MLR aftermath
It hasn’t been easy for health agents and brokers moving forward after new federal medical loss ratio regulations were passed last November.
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Economic impact of health reform
Direct results of the ppaca on health insurance professionals
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Fewer employees place high priority on health management
Only 34% of all employees believe that employer programs encourage them to live a healthier lifestyle
Feature Content
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Taken into Account
ACOs are designed to facilitate coordination and cooperation among providers but some fear a drop in the number of dependent hospitals and doctors.
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Getting familiar with integrated benefits
How benefits brokers can lead employers to integrating benefits, with the goal of absence management.
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Exposing mini med myths
Since 1998, my general agency has actively assisted health insurance agents in the implementation of hundreds of group limited medical plans otherwise known as mini meds. I’d like to weigh in on the present and future role of these plans and cut through some mythology, confusion and outright distortions surrounding...
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What you should expect in an IDI Carrier
Companies and their more highly compensated executives are increasingly realizing the need for individual disability insurance coverage. That means competition among insurance carriers for this book of business is also heating up. With more insurers entering this market, employers as well as brokers should do their due diligence when it...
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Long term care, short-term benefit
There’ve been some significant changes in long-term care insurance offered to corporate clients in 2010. The lessons learned could lead to a dramatic shift in how LTCI is offered to groups in the future. This article will discuss some of the changes that have taken place and what to look...
What's Next
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Benefit managers and employers: The only opinions that matter
Lowered commissions, increased competition, loss-ratio mandates, buying direct from exchanges, carriers withdrawing from the medical market, and on and on and on.
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Stand-out benefits marketing
I speak frequently before audiences of producers. Often sponsors of the event are provided an opportunity to give a short commercial. Representatives from carriers and general agents troop up to the podium and give their two-to-three minute pitch.
Competitive Advantage
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Drivers of change in the benefits industry
Do you remember reading this column’s headline in this magazine just over two years ago? I do. Credit the headline to Denis Storey’s interview of Tracy Dieterich in the March 2009 issue. It’s available on the Benefits Selling web site in case you missed it. It’s a...
Special Feature
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HSA engagement a year-round commitment
With last year’s open enrollment season fading into memory, it would seem like a good time to move on to other business. But that would be a mistake. The reality is that your clients need you more than ever — particularly if they introduced a high-deductible health plan with health...
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CDHC: It's all in the fundamentals
There’s something reassuring about the way David Pittard handles his business. His methods of finding cost solutions through health and welfare management have been time-tested and successful. But in a post-reform era, Pittard faces his biggest challenges yet, with hope that the opportunities will prevail.
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Benefits Selling Expo speaker Q & A
Time to usher in the new. Jim Christenson, one of this year’s Benefits Selling Expo speakers, gives us some insight on where the employee benefits industry will tread throughout the next five years, and what to expect out of health care reform. The following is just a preview. Don’t miss...
On Second Thought
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Do you still make house calls?
Back in the old days, doctors did business a little differently.
Source List
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Benefits Selling EXPO 2011 Exhibitor Source List
Benefits Selling EXPO 2011 Exhibitor Source List
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LTD Source List
LTD Source List
Exit Interview
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What I’ve learned
Nikki Sjoden Elevation Insurance Services Denver
