BenefitsPRO Magazine-August 2018
Feature
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.
The current wellness regulations will sunset in January 2019, and the EEOC has made no move to institute new ones, leaving employers in limbo.
In order to better understand bringing meaningful use to data, it all begins with the question “What is driving costs or risk?” And the second question is: “What can I do about it?”
Columnists
The DOL's enforcement statistics are a good reminder to plan sponsors that they'd better pay attention to compliance matters.
A key part of the open enrollment education and communication process is often overlooked until just before open enrollment, when it's often too late.
When looking at voluntary sales by product platform, group product sales continued to dominate individual products.
For some, ownership is a “free pass” that allows them to not be accountable to anyone and therefore to not have to perform.
Face of Change
Kassi O'Brien has a knack for numbers thanks to her unique career background.
Letter from the Editor
Over the years, I've noticed the important role that books play in the lives and careers of so many benefits professionals I speak with.
Action/Reaction
For work or for pleasure, here's a list of recommended reading for brokers.
Trending Stories
- 1Mental health is top of mind for large employers heading into 2024, survey finds
- 2Let new business come to you: 10 add-on sales strategies for benefits pros
- 3Social media blueprint: a broker's guide to engaging HR professionals
- 4Digital marketing for brokers: An essential guide
- 5SMBs are rethinking group health benefits amid rising costs
{ "data": { "slug": "benefitspro-magazine-august-2018", "title": "BenefitsPRO Magazine-August 2018", "type": "issue", "packageUrl": "", "summary": "", "cssFile": "", "imageUrl": "//www.almcms.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/07/BPRO-0818-Cover.jpg", "mediaUrl": "", "blurb": "", "articles": [ { "uri": "/2018/07/30/how-broker-consolidation-and-industry-alliances-are-changing-the-industry/", "title": "How broker consolidation and industry alliances are changing the industry", "summary": "Today's health care industry is not a still-life painting; it's a constantly shifting kaleidoscope. ", "byline": "Alan Goforth", "kicker": "Market Insights", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "July 30, 2018", "wordcount": "1385", "timeToRead": "7 minute", "readtime": "7", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/alan-goforth/", "name": "Alan Goforth" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/market-insights/", "sectionName": "Market Insights" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/08/0818-Mergers-Animated-MI.gif", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/07/do-dol-stats-offer-ebsa-enforcement-clues/", "title": "Do DOL stats offer EBSA enforcement clues?", "summary": "The DOL's enforcement statistics are a good reminder to plan sponsors that they'd better pay attention to compliance matters.", "byline": "Christopher Carosa", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 07, 2018", "wordcount": "539", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/christopher-carosa/", "name": "Christopher Carosa" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/BSL_16_03_0318_08_img001.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "567" } }, { "uri": "/2018/05/30/classifying-mental-health-how-misdiagnosis-is-costing-your-clients-and-their-employees/", "title": "Classifying mental health: How misdiagnosis is costing your clients and their employees", "summary": "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.", "byline": "Dr. Leena Johns", "kicker": "", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "May 30, 2018", "wordcount": "1292", "timeToRead": "7 minute", "readtime": "7", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/dr-leena-johns/", "name": "Dr. Leena Johns" } ], "kickerNode": [], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/05/mental-health-istock64640601small-crop-600x338.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "338" } }, { "uri": "/2018/06/28/the-eeoc-isnt-taking-action-on-wellness-regulations-but-employers-certainly-can/", "title": "The EEOC isn't taking action on wellness regulations, but employers certainly can", "summary": "The current wellness regulations will sunset in January 2019, and the EEOC has made no move to institute new ones, leaving employers in limbo. ", "byline": "Michael Popke", "kicker": "News", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "June 28, 2018", "wordcount": "1029", "timeToRead": "6 minute", "readtime": "6", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/michael-popke/", "name": "Michael Popke" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/news/", "sectionName": "News" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/02/HealthWearable.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "400" } }, { "uri": "/2018/06/04/health-care-data-analytics-true-meaning-actionability-and-value/", "title": "Health care data analytics: true meaning, actionability and value", "summary": "In order to better understand bringing meaningful use to data, it all begins with the question “What is driving costs or risk?” And the second question is: “What can I do about it?”", "byline": "Richard Kersh and Chris Caramanico", "kicker": "", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "June 04, 2018", "wordcount": "1423", "timeToRead": "8 minute", "readtime": "8", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/richard-kersh/", "name": "Richard Kersh" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/chris-caramanico/", "name": "Chris Caramanico" } ], "kickerNode": [], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/06/digitalization.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "383" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/16/educating-before-enrolling/", "title": "Educating before enrolling", "summary": "A key part of the open enrollment education and communication process is often overlooked until just before open enrollment, when it's often too late.", "byline": "Marty Traynor", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 16, 2018", "wordcount": "559", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/marty-traynor/", "name": "Marty Traynor" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/BSL_16_03_0318_03_img001.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "657" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/14/hot-voluntary-products-and-platforms/", "title": "Hot voluntary products and platforms", "summary": "When looking at voluntary sales by product platform, group product sales continued to dominate individual products.", "byline": "Bonnie Brazzell and Nick Rockwell", "kicker": "Analysis", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 14, 2018", "wordcount": "455", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/bonnie-brazzell/", "name": "Bonnie Brazzell" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/", "name": "Nick Rockwell" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/analysis/", "sectionName": "Analysis" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/07/Bonnie-Brazzell-Nick-Rockwell-MI-1.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/09/when-an-ownership-mentality-hurts-you/", "title": "When an ownership mentality hurts you", "summary": "For some, ownership is a “free pass” that allows them to not be accountable to anyone and therefore to not have to perform. ", "byline": "Kevin Trokey", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 09, 2018", "wordcount": "590", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/kevin-trokey/", "name": "Kevin Trokey" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/BSL_16_03_0318_11_img001.jpg", "width": "200", "height": "245" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/01/hey-have-you-ever-read/", "title": "\"Hey, have you ever read...?\"", "summary": "Over the years, I've noticed the important role that books play in the lives and careers of so many benefits professionals I speak with.", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Editor's Letter", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 01, 2018", "wordcount": "436", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/editors-letter/", "sectionName": "Editor's Letter" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/PaulWilson2-e1525270605838.jpg", "width": "300", "height": "342" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/06/the-brokers-summer-reading-list/", "title": "The broker's summer reading list", "summary": "For work or for pleasure, here's a list of recommended reading for brokers. ", "byline": "BenefitsPRO Editors", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 06, 2018", "wordcount": "1274", "timeToRead": "7 minute", "readtime": "7", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/benefitspro-editors/", "name": "BenefitsPRO Editors" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/07/Books.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "385" } } ], "navigations": [ { "name": "Feature", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2018/05/30/classifying-mental-health-how-misdiagnosis-is-costing-your-clients-and-their-employees/", "title": "Classifying mental health: How misdiagnosis is costing your clients and their employees", "byline": "Dr. Leena Johns", "kicker": "", "summary": "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.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/dr-leena-johns/", "name": "Dr. Leena Johns" } ], "kickerNode": [], "readtime": "7", "prettyDate": "May 30, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/05/mental-health-istock64640601small-crop-600x338.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "338" } }, { "uri": "/2018/06/28/the-eeoc-isnt-taking-action-on-wellness-regulations-but-employers-certainly-can/", "title": "The EEOC isn't taking action on wellness regulations, but employers certainly can", "byline": "Michael Popke", "kicker": "News", "summary": "The current wellness regulations will sunset in January 2019, and the EEOC has made no move to institute new ones, leaving employers in limbo. ", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/michael-popke/", "name": "Michael Popke" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/news/", "sectionName": "News" } ], "readtime": "6", "prettyDate": "June 28, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/02/HealthWearable.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "400" } }, { "uri": "/2018/06/04/health-care-data-analytics-true-meaning-actionability-and-value/", "title": "Health care data analytics: true meaning, actionability and value", "byline": "Richard Kersh and Chris Caramanico", "kicker": "", "summary": "In order to better understand bringing meaningful use to data, it all begins with the question “What is driving costs or risk?” And the second question is: “What can I do about it?”", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/richard-kersh/", "name": "Richard Kersh" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/chris-caramanico/", "name": "Chris Caramanico" } ], "kickerNode": [], "readtime": "8", "prettyDate": "June 04, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/06/digitalization.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "383" } } ] }, { "name": "Cover Story", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2018/07/30/how-broker-consolidation-and-industry-alliances-are-changing-the-industry/", "title": "How broker consolidation and industry alliances are changing the industry", "byline": "Alan Goforth", "kicker": "Market Insights", "summary": "Today's health care industry is not a still-life painting; it's a constantly shifting kaleidoscope. ", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/alan-goforth/", "name": "Alan Goforth" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/market-insights/", "sectionName": "Market Insights" } ], "readtime": "7", "prettyDate": "July 30, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/08/0818-Mergers-Animated-MI.gif", "width": "616", "height": "372" } } ] }, { "name": "Columnists", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2018/08/07/do-dol-stats-offer-ebsa-enforcement-clues/", "title": "Do DOL stats offer EBSA enforcement clues?", "byline": "Christopher Carosa", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "The DOL's enforcement statistics are a good reminder to plan sponsors that they'd better pay attention to compliance matters.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/christopher-carosa/", "name": "Christopher Carosa" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "August 07, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/BSL_16_03_0318_08_img001.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "567" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/16/educating-before-enrolling/", "title": "Educating before enrolling", "byline": "Marty Traynor", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "A key part of the open enrollment education and communication process is often overlooked until just before open enrollment, when it's often too late.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/marty-traynor/", "name": "Marty Traynor" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "August 16, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/BSL_16_03_0318_03_img001.jpg", "width": "600", "height": "657" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/14/hot-voluntary-products-and-platforms/", "title": "Hot voluntary products and platforms", "byline": "Bonnie Brazzell and Nick Rockwell", "kicker": "Analysis", "summary": "When looking at voluntary sales by product platform, group product sales continued to dominate individual products.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/bonnie-brazzell/", "name": "Bonnie Brazzell" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/", "name": "Nick Rockwell" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/analysis/", "sectionName": "Analysis" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "August 14, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/07/Bonnie-Brazzell-Nick-Rockwell-MI-1.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "uri": "/2018/08/09/when-an-ownership-mentality-hurts-you/", "title": "When an ownership mentality hurts you", "byline": "Kevin Trokey", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "For some, ownership is a “free pass” that allows them to not be accountable to anyone and therefore to not have to perform. ", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/kevin-trokey/", "name": "Kevin Trokey" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "August 09, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/BSL_16_03_0318_11_img001.jpg", "width": "200", "height": "245" } } ] }, { "name": "Face of Change", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2018/08/08/something-has-to-change-a-qa-with-kassi-obrien/", "title": "Something has to change: A Q&A with Kassi O'Brien", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Q&A", "summary": "Kassi O'Brien has a knack for numbers thanks to her unique career background.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/q-and-a/", "sectionName": "Q&A" } ], "readtime": "7", "prettyDate": "August 08, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/07/OBrien-Kassi-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } } ] }, { "name": "Letter from the Editor", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2018/08/01/hey-have-you-ever-read/", "title": "\"Hey, have you ever read...?\"", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Editor's Letter", "summary": "Over the years, I've noticed the important role that books play in the lives and careers of so many benefits professionals I speak with.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/editors-letter/", "sectionName": "Editor's Letter" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "August 01, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/PaulWilson2-e1525270605838.jpg", "width": "300", "height": "342" } } ] }, { "name": "Action/Reaction", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2018/08/06/the-brokers-summer-reading-list/", "title": "The broker's summer reading list", "byline": "BenefitsPRO Editors", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "For work or for pleasure, here's a list of recommended reading for brokers. ", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/benefitspro-editors/", "name": "BenefitsPRO Editors" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "7", "prettyDate": "August 06, 2018", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/07/Books.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "385" } } ] } ], "sponsors": [] } }