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"title": "BenefitsPRO Magazine-April 2011",
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"uri": "/2011/04/01/ltd-source-list/",
"title": "LTD Source List",
"summary": "LTD Source List",
"byline": "Staff Writer",
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"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
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"uri": "/2011/04/01/stats-on-health-care-decision-makers/",
"title": "Stats on health care decision makers",
"summary": "Women, younger individuals, and individuals who experienced an increase in either premiums or cost sharing are more likely to seek information on health care costs, quality, and access in order to make informed decisions.",
"byline": "Jenny Ivy",
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"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/benefits-selling-expo-speaker-q-a/",
"title": "Benefits Selling Expo speaker Q & A",
"summary": "Time to usher in the new. Jim Christenson, one of this years Benefits Selling Expo speakers, gives us some insight on where the employee benefits industry will tread throughout the next five years, and what to expect out of health care reform. The following is just a preview. Dont miss...",
"byline": "Amanda McGrory-Dixon",
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"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "361",
"timeToRead": "2 minute",
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/drivers-of-change-in-the-benefits-industry/",
"title": "Drivers of change in the benefits industry",
"summary": "Do you remember reading this columns headline in this magazine just over two years ago? I do. Credit the headline to Denis Storeys interview of Tracy Dieterich in the March 2009 issue. Its available on the Benefits Selling web site in case you missed it. Its a...",
"byline": "Marty Traynor",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "547",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/readers-hit-back-online/",
"title": "Readers hit back online",
"summary": "Your article (Lent Trap, March 9 Editors Blog) is right on the money. If [the Department of Health and Human Services] is going to waive the requirements of ObaminationCare for all",
"byline": "Staff Writer",
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"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "636",
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/special-report-the-mlr-aftermath/",
"title": "Special report: The MLR aftermath",
"summary": "It hasnt been easy for health agents and brokers moving forward after new federal medical loss ratio regulations were passed last November.",
"byline": "Jenny Ivy",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "716",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
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"authors": [
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/hsa-engagement-a-year-round-commitment/",
"title": "HSA engagement a year-round commitment",
"summary": "With last years open enrollment season fading into memory, it would seem like a good time to move on to other business. But that would be a mistake. The reality is that your clients need you more than ever particularly if they introduced a high-deductible health plan with health...",
"byline": "Karli Dunkelberger",
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"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "739",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
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"authors": [
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"webUrl": "/author/profile/karli-dunkelberger/",
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/cdhc-its-all-in-the-fundamentals/",
"title": "CDHC: It's all in the fundamentals",
"summary": "Theres something reassuring about the way David Pittard handles his business. His methods of finding cost solutions through health and welfare management have been time-tested and successful. But in a post-reform era, Pittard faces his biggest challenges yet, with hope that the opportunities will prevail.",
"byline": "Jenny Ivy",
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"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "935",
"timeToRead": "5 minute",
"readtime": "5",
"authors": [
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/what-you-should-expect-in-an-idi-carrier/",
"title": "What you should expect in an IDI Carrier",
"summary": "Companies and their more highly compensated executives are increasingly realizing the need for individual disability insurance coverage. That means competition among insurance carriers for this book of business is also heating up. With more insurers entering this market, employers as well as brokers should do their due diligence when it...",
"byline": "Branden Pierson",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "1657",
"timeToRead": "9 minute",
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/exposing-mini-med-myths/",
"title": "Exposing mini med myths",
"summary": "Since 1998, my general agency has actively assisted health insurance agents in the implementation of hundreds of group limited medical plans otherwise known as mini meds. Id like to weigh in on the present and future role of these plans and cut through some mythology, confusion and outright distortions surrounding...",
"byline": "William Hammet",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "930",
"timeToRead": "5 minute",
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"authors": [
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/long-term-care-short-term-benefit/",
"title": "Long term care, short-term benefit",
"summary": "Thereve been some significant changes in long-term care insurance offered to corporate clients in 2010. The lessons learned could lead to a dramatic shift in how LTCI is offered to groups in the future. This article will discuss some of the changes that have taken place and what to look...",
"byline": "Tom Riekse Jr.",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "1020",
"timeToRead": "6 minute",
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"authors": [
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"webUrl": "/author/profile/tom-riekse-jr/",
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/2011-broker-of-the-year-finalists/",
"title": "2011 Broker of the Year Finalists",
"summary": "In 2009, John T. Newby founded ETMG in Austin, Texas where his company functions as distributor between carriers and brokers to design plans that meet specific client needs.",
"byline": "Amanda McGrory-Dixon",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "2073",
"timeToRead": "11 minute",
"readtime": "11",
"authors": [
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"webUrl": "/author/profile/amanda-mcgrory-dixon/",
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/do-you-still-make-house-calls/",
"title": "Do you still make house calls?",
"summary": "Back in the old days, doctors did business a little differently.",
"byline": "Eric Johnson",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "649",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
"readtime": "4",
"authors": [
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"webUrl": "/author/profile/eric-johnson/",
"name": "Eric Johnson"
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/getting-familiar-with-integrated-benefits/",
"title": "Getting familiar with integrated benefits",
"summary": "How benefits brokers can lead employers to integrating benefits, with the goal of absence management.",
"byline": "Marjorie Savage",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "570",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
"readtime": "3",
"authors": [
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"webUrl": "/author/profile/marjorie-savage/",
"name": "Marjorie Savage"
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/top-wellness-concerns-for-2011/",
"title": "Top wellness concerns for 2011",
"summary": "Employees were asked: Which health issue are you most trying to stay ahead of this year?",
"byline": "Jenny Ivy",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "43",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
"readtime": "1",
"authors": [
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/benefits-selling-expo-2011-exhibitor-source-list/",
"title": "Benefits Selling EXPO 2011 Exhibitor Source List",
"summary": "Benefits Selling EXPO 2011 Exhibitor Source List",
"byline": "Staff Writer",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "10",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
"readtime": "1",
"authors": [
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/heart-conditions-top-ci-claims/",
"title": "Heart conditions top CI claims",
"summary": "Heart and vascular conditions account for more than half of all claims paid on Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Co.s critical illness insurance policies. According to Colonial Life claims statistics,",
"byline": "Jenny Ivy",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "63",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
"readtime": "1",
"authors": [
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/workers-favor-one-on-one-benefits-counseling/",
"title": "Workers favor one-on-one benefits counseling",
"summary": "Almost all employees who take part in individual benefits counseling sessions say they better understand their benefits, according to Colonial Life.",
"byline": "Jenny Ivy",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "97",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
"readtime": "1",
"authors": [
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"webUrl": "/author/profile/jenny-ivy/",
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},
{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/fewer-employees-place-high-priority-on-health-mana/",
"title": "Fewer employees place high priority on health management",
"summary": "Only 34% of all employees believe that employer programs encourage them to live a healthier lifestyle",
"byline": "Staff Writer",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "115",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/economic-impact-of-health-reform/",
"title": "Economic impact of health reform",
"summary": "Direct results of the ppaca on health insurance professionals",
"byline": "Jenny Ivy",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "89",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/what-ive-learned-11/",
"title": "What I’ve learned",
"summary": "Nikki SjodenElevation Insurance ServicesDenver",
"byline": "Denis Storey",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "210",
"timeToRead": "2 minute",
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/stand-out-benefits-marketing/",
"title": "Stand-out benefits marketing",
"summary": "I speak frequently before audiences of producers. Often sponsors of the event are provided an opportunity to give a short commercial. Representatives from carriers and general agents troop up to the podium and give their two-to-three minute pitch.",
"byline": "Alan Katz",
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"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "464",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
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"uri": "/2011/04/01/employers-a-growing-source-for-health-info/",
"title": "Employers a growing source for health info",
"summary": "More employees are turning to their employers to be a resource for medical and health information.",
"byline": "Jenny Ivy",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
"wordcount": "210",
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{
"uri": "/2011/04/01/benefit-managers-and-employers-the-only-opinions-t/",
"title": "Benefit managers and employers: The only opinions that matter",
"summary": "Lowered commissions, increased competition, loss-ratio mandates, buying direct from exchanges, carriers withdrawing from the medical market, and on and on and on.",
"byline": "Bonnie Brazzell, Gil Lowerre",
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"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
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"uri": "/2011/04/01/fear-and-loathing-and-401ks/",
"title": "Fear and loathing and 401(k)s",
"summary": "LAS VEGAS A trade show can be a boon for a stumped writer starved for material. A trade show in Las Vegas can be the mother lode or a disaster.",
"byline": "Denis Storey",
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"prettyDate": "April 01, 2011",
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"uri": "/2011/04/01/taken-into-account-2/",
"title": "Taken into Account",
"summary": "ACOs are designed to facilitate coordination and cooperation among providers but some fear a drop in the number of dependent hospitals and doctors.",
"byline": "William Atkinson",
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