Benefits Broker

Private companies and networks of hospitals and other providers would deliver Medicaid health care services across Florida under Republican legislation that passed the state House on a largely party-line vote Thursday.

In this blog, I’ll be highlighting some of the major events that occurred in the employee benefits business over the past week, as well as the news coverage surrounding them.

The fifth annual U.S. Member Health Insurance Plan Study showed higher member satisfaction with integrated delivery systems, though the future of IDS is not clear.

A Fidelity Investments report notes that retiring couples this year will need $230,000 for medical expenses -- a drop from the $250,000 originally predicted by the Boston-based advisory firm.

The Obama administration on Thursday outlined a new approach to medical care that it said could mean higher quality and less risk for patients, while also saving millions of dollars for taxpayers.

Republican lawmakers charge that the AARP, which supported the Affordable Care Act of 2010, will profit from its passage, and that the organization should be stripped of its federal tax exemption.

Rising oncology drug costs are leading west-based insurers to re-evaluate treatment coverage as a medical benefit, versus a pharmaceutical cost.

Consumer advocacy groups are airing radio advertisements to bring public pressure on Gov. Susana Martinez to sign legislation for stricter review of health insurance rate increases.