Benefits Broker

As employers face rising medical costs, brokers brace for a hit on their group benefits revenue. Meanwhile, Congress is taking a critical look at hundreds of health plans that have been able to dodge a new federal requirement.

In a recent independent customer satisfaction survey, nine out of 10 customers receiving Unum's voluntary short-term disability or accident insurance say they would recommend the company to their co-workers.

File this under "no kidding." Nine months later, another federal court judge handed the administration's health care reform law another victory.

According to Aon Hewitt, health maintenance organization plans will have the highest premium increases in five years, as the average 2011 HMO rates increased 9.8 percent after plan changes, negotiations and terminations.

Last week, opposition resonated from a number of groups that want Congress to change the new federal law, and allow over-the-counter drugs to be purchased with money from flexible spending accounts.

The U.S. stands out for the most negative insurance-related experiences, according to the report.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners announced last week it has established a new task force to examine and address potential adverse impacts on the role of health insurance agents and brokers that stem from new health reform laws.

people with consumer-driven health plans and high-deductible health plans are more likely than those with traditional coverage to think the new law will affect them personally