Employee-Paid

Market Insights

When dental coverage falls short, dentists bill medical insurance

David Tuller | September 24, 2018

A growing number of dentists are turning to patients' health insurance to cover services that they deem more "medical" than "dental."

Best Practices

Curbing specialty drug spending: Where to start?

Emily Payne | September 21, 2018

Pharma and specialty drugs are among the top targets of employers attempting to rein in their health care spending. But what's the best approach?

Analysis

Half of American workers lack life insurance

Marlene Satter | September 18, 2018

Not only do younger people overestimate what a life insurance premium might cost them, they’re far less likely to be covered than older generations.

Analysis

Not all buyers are the same

Bonnie Brazzell and Nick Rockwell | September 13, 2018

There are certain commonalities in employee voluntary-benefits buying behavior, but there are also some key differences, particularly when it comes to communication.

Expert Opinion

3 reasons life insurance is essential to any benefits package

Judy Buczek | September 13, 2018

Many people do not voluntarily think about life insurance or have the luxury of working with a financial professional--the only place they learn about and access life insurance is through the workplace.

News

Demand for life insurance outpaces supply

Scott Wooldridge | September 03, 2018

While 27 percent of respondents in a recent survey reported having life insurance, 68 percent of those who don't say they would purchase it—if their employer offered it.

News

Bill would require annual counseling for student loan borrowers

Melanie Waddell | August 31, 2018

The legislation is designed to improve “the timing, frequency, and content of financial counseling,” according to co-sponsor Rep. Bonamici.

Expert Opinion

Accident insurance: A multi-generational benefit

Wendy Herndon | August 31, 2018

An Aflac executive talks about a product that’s benefiting from the new focus on supplemental benefits.

News

CMS aims to create consumer price comparison tool

Marlene Satter | August 30, 2018

Opponents of the action argue the cost of any given procedure is more dependent on the kind of insurance carried by the consumer, not the provider.

Analysis

Number of uninsured Americans declines

Alexandre Tanzi | August 29, 2018

The number of uninsured declined to 28.3 million in the first quarter, down from 29.3 last year -- and 48.6 million in 2010.

Analysis

Amazon employees at or near top of food stamp lists in at least five states

Marlene Satter | August 28, 2018

Amazon shares this dubious honor with such other giants as McDonald’s and Walmart

Commentary

What are consumers really getting in short-term health plans?

Allison Bell | August 27, 2018

Short-term medical insurance and AHPs may be great, but so is clear labeling, a top trade group official says.

News

GAO report urges Trump administration to do better on ACA

Marlene Satter | August 23, 2018

The action was a result of the changes HHS made to its 2018 outreach that prompted concerns about enrollment and the stability of ACA exchanges.

The evolution of direct primary care – with Jon Hernandez

David Saltzman | 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.

Market Insights

Disgruntled health care consumers taking matters into their own hands

John Tozzi | August 22, 2018

A small but growing number of Americans, fed up with the current system, are rigging their own medical safety nets.

News

Employee benefits newsmakers: America's Best 401k, EZShield, DPL Financial Partners

C.J. Marwitz | August 22, 2018

News from ActiveRADAR, The Standard, MyHRConcierge, Zenefits, Altwork, Employee Navigator, and more.

Commentary

Student loans are starting to bite

Danielle DiMartino Booth | August 22, 2018

Consider this: Weigh a degree against the quality of life millions have forsaken thanks to student loan debt.

My wife's story: Anatomy of an insane health care billing system

Carl C. Schuessler | August 17, 2018

The purchase of medical goods and services by employer health plans resembles no other business transaction in American commerce.

Best Practices

Open enrollment tips for benefits managers: Getting ready

C.J. Marwitz | August 13, 2018

BenefitsPRO's top 7 all-time, must-read, getting-ready-for-open-enrollment articles.

Analysis

What does it take to make millennials happy with their careers?

Marlene Satter | August 13, 2018

A new study from TD Ameritrade has some surprising things to say about millennials' financial attitudes.

Research

10 states with the highest average student loan debt

Nick Thornton | August 10, 2018

45 million Americans hold a total of $1.52 trillion in student loan debt -- here are the states with the highest average debt.

Market Insights

ACA to see smaller rate hikes, reductions in 2019

Katie Kuehner-Hebert | August 06, 2018

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is seeking a 0.27 percent average decrease for 2019 -- after a 48 percent spike in its premiums this year.

News

New paid parental leave proposal would tap Social Security benefits

Katie Kuehner-Hebert | August 03, 2018

The Economic Security for New Parents Act was introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio this week, to mixed reviews.

Market Insights

Sales of critical illness insurance rise: LIMRA

Allison Bell | July 25, 2018

About 24 percent of U.S. employers now offer some kind of critical illness insurance benefits.

Point-of-sale wellness: How health plans are cashing in

David Vielehr | July 19, 2018

Innovative new solutions mean consumers are incentivized to lead healthier lives.

News

App brings portable benefits to gig workers

Marlene Satter | July 10, 2018

An app gives house cleaners access to life insurance, disability insurance, accident and critical illness insurance and even paid time off.

Analysis

Millennials drive interest in long-term care benefits

Allison Bell | July 04, 2018

Carriers may be afraid to sell it, but workers seem to like it almost as much as life insurance.

Analysis

Pensions profiting from medical billing practices banned by states

John Tozzi | July 03, 2018

The role of investors and private equity in medicine is attracting more scrutiny.

Research

More than half of millennials still financially dependent on mom and dad

Joel Kranc | June 28, 2018

When it comes to adulthood, millennials are redefining key life and financial milestones.

Market Insights

Voluntary benefits: How they’ve become a must-have product for brokers

Scott Wooldridge | June 28, 2018

In the first of a three-part series, we explore how voluntary benefits have become an important part of a complete benefit package.

Live Coverage

'Change isn't easy, but we have no choice': NAHU Convention Coverage

Alan Goforth | June 25, 2018

The discussion at this year's meeting focused on affordability solutions and the changing role of brokers.

Medicare Advantage satisfaction high, but opportunities remain

Katie Kuehner-Hebert | 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.

Employers changing health strategies to match financial concerns

Katie Kuehner-Hebert | 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.”

News

Trump seeks to let small businesses offer association health plans

Zachary Tracer | June 19, 2018

State insurance regulators, meanwhile, have warned that the plans could open the door to fraud and abuse.

HR professionals face shifting priorities, challenges and opportunities

Katie Kuehner-Hebert | 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,…

The influence of compassionate leadership on employee benefits

Deb Krause | 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.

3 strategies for reducing pharmacy costs

Rob Piazza | 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.

Best Practices

What's the best combination of spending/saving with an HSA?

Jeremy Miller | June 08, 2018

Here are HSA tips and 4 contribution scenarios that employers should consider sharing with employees of all ages.

Analysis

CalSavers lawsuit raises tricky ERISA questions

Nick Thornton | June 06, 2018

If the court finds CalSavers to be an ERISA plan, California’s law could be preempted by federal law.

Disrupting the voluntary benefits market

BenefitsPRO editors | 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.

Overcoming travel for treatment objections – with Jim Polsfut

David Saltzman | 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.

Infographic

Interactive graphic: Cities with the most, least student loan debt

Emily Payne | June 04, 2018

Nationally, student loan debt totals more than $1.5 trillion. Where are people paying the most?

Expert Opinion

Consumers need more education on disability insurance--Millennials in particular

Greg Poulakos | June 04, 2018

Disability Insurance Awareness Month is ending. The need for awareness lasts all year round.

Classifying mental health: How misdiagnosis is costing your clients and their employees

Dr. Leena Johns | 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.

Analysis

Financial wellness programs pay off for repeat users

Katie Kuehner-Hebert | May 30, 2018

According to a recent study, repeat users of financial programs are twice as likely to be on track for retirement and are also less likely to report overwhelming levels of stress.

HLTH Conference 2018: Top 16 takeaways

Heidi Rasmussen | 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!

Analysis

5 states of 2017 ACA exchange rate data

Allison Bell | May 21, 2018

Typical statewide average monthly premiums rose 21%. In one state, they rose 99%.

2019 HSA contribution limits: What advisors, employers and employees need to know

Andrew Gertz | 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.

Research

10 top causes of disability claims

BenefitsPRO Editors | May 17, 2018

Disability insurance is a critical part of a benefits portfolio for any employer looking to offer a competitive package and help offset the rising costs of health care.

Commentary

Disability insurance: Why it’s not just for your clients’ employees

Janet Buzil | May 17, 2018

No one plans on becoming disabled, but if it does happen, disability insurance helps—a lot.