Core and Group Health

Researchers at the Urban Institute argue health reform was designed to build on, not replace, employer-sponsored health insurance

Employers expect to raise premiums to offset rising benefits costs, with 64 percent anticipating that will happen within the next year.

An index following the average cost for health care is up a fourth consecutive time since the index hit its lowest annual growth rate in April, Standard & Poor says.

Employees still really care about health benefitsapparently now more than ever. In fact, its so important to them that employees say (via a Mercer workplace survey) theyre willing to take on higher out-of-pocket costs if it means they get to keep them.

Proposed health insurance changes required by the federal government may provide North Dakotans more benefit options, but the package's $83 million price tag will make it a difficult sell, lawmakers predicted Thursday.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation's largest private employer, is scaling back health care coverage for future part-time workers while raising premiums for some full-time workers.