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Copyright © 2018 ALM Media Properties, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Paul Wilson is the editor-in-chief of BenefitsPRO Magazine and BenefitsPRO.com. He has covered the insurance industry for more than a decade, including stints at Retirement Advisor Magazine and ProducersWeb.
September 19, 2018
Health care is always changing and it's essential that brokers, employers and individuals stay up to date. But the question is, how do you do so?
September 18, 2018
Belief that we can still be responsible consumers is perhaps the hardest task in today's health care market, but we must tackle it now.
September 18, 2018
Many mistakenly believe that top-hat plans are entirely exempt from ERISA’s requirements. With one increasingly rare exception, however, ERISA remains an important consideration in how these arrangements are structured.
September 17, 2018
The key is to make the benefits enrollment process simple, modern and personal for your clients and their employees. Here’s how.
September 17, 2018
Helping employer clients expand benefits in the context of recruiting and retaining talent in the middle of a red-hot economic environment can present a valuable strategy for brokers looking to create agency growth.
September 17, 2018
Benefits consultant Laura Frances embraces change and sees a bright future for the insurance industry and those working in it.
September 11, 2018
Group health brokers who sell themselves as being innovative and non-status quo continue to ignore enhanced voluntary benefits, thus serving only half their clients and arguably snubbing those who need their cost-saving strategies the most: the employees.
September 10, 2018
With this year’s open enrollment just around the corner for most organizations, now is the time to think ahead.
September 10, 2018
Why are more small businesses offering self-funded health benefit plans? I see three big reasons.
September 07, 2018
We are seemingly on the cusp of a revolution in AI-driven health care services. To maintain competitiveness, companies need to start incorporating tools and services that use these advanced technologies now.
August 31, 2018
Making sure clients and prospects understand how auto-adjudication affects their costs can lead to more groups willing to pursue alternative strategies that provide more transparency.
August 31, 2018
I’m lucky enough to do something I’ve dreamed about my entire life, but that’s definitely not the case for everyone.
August 24, 2018
By integrating the same data sources used to comply and report on the ACA — HRIS, benefits and payroll — new insights can be gained.
August 24, 2018
I can’t believe that we are coming close to the “unofficial end” in a couple of weeks. Meeting some really fascinating women in our industry has been one of the highlights of my summer!
August 22, 2018
Jon Hernandez is the CEO at PeakMed Direct Primary Care in Colorado, and he is one of the drivers pushing DPC into its next evolution.
August 21, 2018
As humans, we feel a strong desire to be part of the pack. We compare ourselves to others in order to determine our own worth. We rationalize irrational ideas and notions.
August 21, 2018
The ACA is alive and well, despite renewed legal challenges and the elimination of the individual mandate beginning next year. Here are four things about the ACA that employers should focus on now to avoid significant financial liabilities.
August 20, 2018
As benefits administration providers vie for market share and brokers continue to make the move online to meet employer demand, these trends will continue to affect the benefits industry throughout the rest of the year and into 2019.
August 17, 2018
Many businesses neglect not only the importance of primary care benefits, but also the creative solutions that can give their workers a better experience while saving the company money.
August 17, 2018
The purchase of medical goods and services by employer health plans resembles no other business transaction in American commerce.
August 15, 2018
If the past is at all telling, further consolidation in the health care industry may portend serious issues regarding health care costs and the quality of health care in the future.
August 14, 2018
As our population ages and medicine gets better, we are dealing with more chronic disease than ever before — and it is a huge cost driver in overall medical spend.
August 13, 2018
To be successful, an employer must implement wellness programs by first developing a concrete strategy to drive and track employee engagement.
August 09, 2018
Insurance professionals considering establishing CSR programs should know what the data has to say about CSR’s significance to consumers.
August 09, 2018
In my first article in this series, “Direct Primary Care 101,” I outlined the basic structure of the direct primary care (DPC) model. In this article, I’ll explain the benefit DPC provides to employers.
August 08, 2018
Kassi O'Brien has a knack for numbers thanks to her unique career background.
August 06, 2018
Here are the five most important questions you and your clients should be asking ahead of renewal:
August 06, 2018
Here are three steps brokers can take now to improve sales, grow the pipeline and win new business before the fourth quarter.
August 06, 2018
In the 40s, we hired hands. In the 80s, we hired hearts and minds. Today, we hire every bit of every employee — and that includes issues they deal…
August 01, 2018
Over the years, I’ve noticed the important role that books play in the lives and careers of so many benefits professionals I speak with.
August 01, 2018
T.J. Morrison believes that the huge interest in self-funded plans requires that they be designed and operated differently than in years past.
July 31, 2018
When an employer is faced with a high penalty, they might look to their brokers to assist with not only the official IRS response, but in some extreme cases, the financial burden as well.
July 27, 2018
To protect confidential information in these times of frequent cyberattacks, companies are investing more time and resources into making sure they…
July 25, 2018
When brokers, benefits consultants and retirement advisors are armed with information about the financial challenges of advanced illness and how payers are implementing effective solutions, they can better serve their clients.
July 24, 2018
With 23 percent of the U.S. population using three or more prescription drugs, it is amazing that many physicians are still essentially guessing which…
July 23, 2018
One of the benefits of moving from old-fashioned “wellness” programs to today’s well-being initiatives is the opportunity to include and address more of the issues employees are dealing with.
July 19, 2018
Innovative new solutions mean consumers are incentivized to lead healthier lives.
July 17, 2018
Here are the five fundamental questions of pharmacy contracting your client should be able to answer when purchasing PBM services.
July 13, 2018
Most 1099 contractors mistakenly believe they are beholden to one insurance carrier for enhanced benefit enrollment services.
July 12, 2018
With many Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck, U.S. employees have a significant need for financial protection products to secure their income…
July 12, 2018
Even if you don’t plan to make short-term plans a core component of your strategy, you can prepare now to give good advice to key clients with whom you have an important relationship.
July 11, 2018
Derek Rine started his career disrupting the broker industry, and to him, today's innovative strategies are second nature.
July 11, 2018
New and innovative models of care delivery and payment models are being incorporated into health plans.
July 09, 2018
Brokers who capitalize on the employee experience trend will ultimately retain their book of business.
July 09, 2018
Help your clients marry up this important voluntary protection with their employee medical plan.
July 03, 2018
Many older practitioners are aging out of the business with no succession plans. Dawn McFarland, President of M&M Benefit Solutions has started one of the few intern and mentorship programs in the business. Now, she wants to scale it.
July 02, 2018
Democrats' and Republicans' argument over the high health care costs rages on; who will be left with the blame this time?
July 02, 2018
HSAs give employees a way to pay for current and future medical expenses, and every dollar they save in their HSA saves your clients money on payroll taxes.
June 29, 2018
In this article, I’m sharing our team’s top seven takeaways from this year’s NAHU convention.
June 27, 2018
A federal district court in Texas has dismissed state law claims brought by a former professional hockey player seeking disability benefits.
June 26, 2018
Scott Schoenvogel, CEO at Compass Professional Health Services, believes that healthcare navigation programs that account for benefits, consumer decision making and clinical decision points is the way through.
June 26, 2018
The output of predictive analytic models should be the inputs to informed conversations.
June 25, 2018
The discussion at this year's meeting focused on affordability solutions and the changing role of brokers.
June 22, 2018
Medicare Advantage members continue to be highly satisfied overall, but believe the plans still have significant room for improvement, according to the J.D. Power 2018 Medicare Advantage Study.
June 22, 2018
Dr. Atul Gawande, the surgeon named to head the company formed in an effort to cut employee health care costs, recently spoke at the annual meeting of America’s Health Insurance Plans.
June 22, 2018
Hoping to inspire you all by rounding out the first half of the year with some incredible stories from some of my new and “old” friends.
June 22, 2018
Fed up with state and local laws that require private employers to offer paid sick days, the airlines and railroads have filed suit, claiming that the interstate nature of their businesses should make them exempt.
June 21, 2018
President Donald Trump proposed a reorganization of the federal government, aiming to combine the Education and Labor Departments and shift control of U.S. food aid programs away from the Agriculture Department.
June 21, 2018
The groups that help people sign up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act are left wondering when or if they will get funding from the federal government to continue their work this year.
June 21, 2018
Implementing telehealth services into plan benefits can not only give employees a more convenient health care option, but also provide a boost for your client’s business.
June 20, 2018
Employers are adjusting strategies to keep up with financial concerns and shifting demographics, according to Optum’s ninth annual “Wellness in the Workplace study.”
June 19, 2018
We have been talking about consumers in health care since the turn of the century, but real health care consumers — in the true sense of the word —…
June 18, 2018
As HR professionals at small and medium-sized businesses continue to focus on employee productivity and make decisions based on performance metrics,…
June 18, 2018
The physician shortage has prompted a growing number of brokers, employers and HR professionals to take a serious look at telehealth, the remote delivery of health care services and clinical information using the internet, wireless, satellite and telephone media.
June 15, 2018
While employers are still concerned about the bottom line, their focus has broadened to include the overall health and well-being of employees and their families.
June 13, 2018
Below are a few of my favorite strategies to bridge the age gap and maintain strong relationships, no matter the client’s generation.
June 12, 2018
For employers and brokers trying to determine how to decrease pharmacy costs for their organization and clients, here are three distinct components to consider.
June 12, 2018
In today’s fast-paced and rapidly growing self-funding world, a TPA has to be flexible, nimble and multi-faceted.
June 11, 2018
Given the positive impact that preventive care can have on oral and eye health, brokers and consultants should encourage employers to consider the following steps.
June 08, 2018
The millennial generation — which generally refers to individuals born between 1980-1996 — continues to fascinate businesses. Millennials are now the…
June 06, 2018
In his BenefitsPRO Broker Expo presentation, voluntary expert Eric Silverman outlines what advisers need to do to move beyond a status-quo enhanced benefits strategy.
June 05, 2018
Jim Polsfut, CEO and Chairman of North American Specialty Hospital, helps us understand changes in travel for treatment — a benefit that is advantageous to both employer and employee.
June 04, 2018
There's a lot of challenges for brokers in today's world, but Nolan Waterfall is ready to tackle them head-on.
June 04, 2018
In order to better understand bringing meaningful use to data, it all begins with the question “What is driving costs or risk?” And the second question is: “What can I do about it?”
June 01, 2018
I’m seeing something that should make every benefits consultant excited: room after room full of employers who are searching for answers.
June 01, 2018
Why a 401(k) option is a valuable part of a competitive recruitment strategy for your clients, especially for groups trying to attract younger workers.
May 31, 2018
What exactly do millennials want from their benefits? And how do they go about deciding which benefits to choose? The results of a new study may surprise you.
May 30, 2018
Here are some steps advisors can take to better position themselves to help their clients manage costs and demonstrate to employees that they care about employee mental health and well-being.
May 29, 2018
We often neglect to investigate some critical questions when choosing software. Erica Kiefer cues us in on the questions behind the questions that will ensure we end up with the right tools.
May 25, 2018
Three lessons health insurance incumbents can learn from the auto insurance industry to better meet customer expectations, boost sales, and ensure long-term competitiveness.
May 25, 2018
Why aren’t brokers cross-selling these benefits? It comes down to a lack of understanding and a fear of voluntary.
May 24, 2018
Chad Gray, CEO at Integrated Musculoskeletal Care is one of the foremost experts on how plans can provide better quality care while lowering costs in this space.
May 23, 2018
We recently attended the first-ever (and sold-out) HLTH Conference in Las Vegas this week and it was an impressive four days!
May 23, 2018
To truly engage employees with their benefits, employers need a system that allows them access to their benefits at any time, in any place, and that make it as easy as possible for their employees to take advantage of the benefits packages available to them.
May 22, 2018
To meet increasing demands and save themselves time and effort in expanding a voluntary portfolio, brokers should follow these five guidelines.
May 22, 2018
Top brokers suggest that communication and organization are key to more effective business practices.
May 22, 2018
While this year’s flu season may be winding down, now is the time to start planning ahead to protect your employees and your business ahead of next year’s flu season.
May 21, 2018
Social responsibility is an enormous differentiator for today’s consumers when it comes to deciding if they want to do business with you.
May 18, 2018
Here’s what benefits brokers and their clients should know about the IRS announcement of an increase to the health savings account (HSA) contribution limits for both single coverage and family coverage for 2019.
May 18, 2018
As we approach the mid-term elections, you may not be hearing much healthcare discussion on the legislative front, but the regulatory environment has been chock full of initiatives, advices and changes.
May 16, 2018
Plan design is the answer; it is an upward climb, it is not an easy path, it requires an expert with experience, it is not going to be an instant fix, and the climb to the top may require training and muscle memory, but it is beautiful.
May 16, 2018
An employer checklist to understand, navigate and build a plan for value-based care.
May 16, 2018
For years, I’ve been deceived by our health care system into thinking it was built to help people. And now I feel pissed.
May 15, 2018
Data and reporting is playing an ever-more important role in helping advisors and employers manage their health care chain and spend. But our guest on…
May 14, 2018
As a former Senior Manager at Amazon (and thanks to Jeff Bezos), I learned that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” Today, I’m sharing five ways disruptors think about failure.
May 11, 2018
Today, far too many employers continue to take a "paternal" approach to their health plan, like a parent who runs a household without rules.
May 10, 2018
“The Face of Change” is not just the title of a column or a session, but an actual movement in our industry.
May 10, 2018
Who’s enjoying spring? I know it took many of us a long time to get there. Here in NYC, it seemed like we went straight to summer last week! I’m…
May 10, 2018
Back in 2015, the big topic in health care was insurance company consolidation. This was the year Anthem announced plans to acquire Cigna,…
May 09, 2018
Armed with the facts, brokers can offer expert advice about this cost-saving option.
From ArmadaCare
Help your clients tackle the myths and misconceptions surrounding supplemental health insurance.
From Assurity Life Insurance Company
Learning how to bring up voluntary benefits with clients the right way can open the door for many new opportunities.
From The EX Program
Discover how the right online community can power behavior change in your workforce, leading to better overall health.
From BenefitMall
Discover why and how you must evolve to better meet your clients' changing needs.
From ArmadaCare
Get a crash course and find the terms you need along with the background on why you need them. With more knowledge, you can help clients find the right type of solutions to meet their needs.
From ArmadaCare
Common gap plans aren’t the only gap-filling solutions. There’s a more powerful option. See a side-by-side comparison.
From The EX Program
Not all digital health solutions are a slam dunk. Discover how to effectively engage employees, especially those looking to stop using tobacco.
From Assurity Life Insurance Company
You may not be looking for a new partner right now, but you can use this checklist to ensure you’re with the right partner.
From The EX Program
Find out why digital tobacco cessation programs have a huge upside for your organization, employees, and bottom line.
From ArmadaCare
Understand how executive medical reimbursement plans are still possible and powerful in a post-ACA landscape.
From ArmadaCare
Get key facts about the true cost of trying to curb health benefit costs - it’s more than meets the eye.
From Assurity Life Insurance Company
Find out how to use social media as an effective professional tool to promote yourself and your business.
From Assurity Life Insurance Company
Don’t be left behind if you’re unfamiliar with modern networking know-how and social media best practices. Get better networking skills now!
From ArmadaCare
A broker’s day is never boring, but there are steps you can take to make it easier.
From ArmadaCare
It is difficult to help your clients overcome both rising benefits costs and the hidden costs of recruiting and retaining talent. Discover solutions now.
From Assurity Life Insurance Company
Help your clients and their employees understand the difference critical illness insurance can make when these types of illnesses happen.
From Assurity Life Insurance Company
You know how this industry works, but your clients may not. Remove these 10 terms from your vocabulary to reassure clients.
From Assurity Life Insurance Company
Help clients understand how offering their employees voluntary options enriches their organization and brings in better talent.
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Copyright © 2018 ALM Media Properties, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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