BenefitsPRO Magazine-September 2019
Letter from the Editor
It's easy to make assumptions about those who are different from you. But you know what helps? Actually talking to them.
Features
Guidance from brokers is key to maximize employers' benefits investment.
The title of this article is not click bait. I stand behind that statement and here's why.
Like studying for an exam, regular, intentional communications are more effective for open enrollment than a last-minute blitz.
Employers suddenly have myriad options for managing and mining their employees health care data.
Face of Change
Columnists
When it comes to retirement, is America optimistic or pessimistic?
A couple of insights for benefit professionals as we consider artificial intelligence in our market.
Successful brokers make sure that when selling a product into a case, they include the enrollment method to be used.
Action/Reaction
Trending Stories
- 1FTC, DOJ, HHS launch health care antitrust portal for unfair competition 'complaints'
- 225M could get student debt forgiveness: Who's eligible in Biden's new mega-plan?
- 3Rethinking retirement: Income needs to be the outcome, as America is hitting 'peak 65'
- 4BenefitsPRO Broker Expo: 10 things to do in Denver
- 5House hearing on Change Healthcare hack: Providers testify – UnitedHealth a no-show
{
"data": {
"slug": "benefitspro-magazine-september-2019",
"title": "BenefitsPRO Magazine-September 2019",
"type": "issue",
"packageUrl": "",
"summary": "",
"cssFile": "",
"imageUrl": "//www.almcms.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/08/BproCoverSmall.jpg",
"mediaUrl": "",
"blurb": "",
"articles": [
{
"uri": "/2019/09/22/keeping-up-on-compliance-issues/",
"title": "Keeping up on compliance issues",
"summary": "We asked our readers what compliance issues are on their radar, and how they communicate about them with clients.",
"byline": "Paul Wilson",
"kicker": "Commentary",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 22, 2019",
"wordcount": "1746",
"timeToRead": "9 minute",
"readtime": "9",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/",
"name": "Paul Wilson"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/commentary/",
"sectionName": "Commentary"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/09/0919-Action-Reaction-MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/16/we-suck-at-communication/",
"title": "We suck at communication!",
"summary": "The communication bar in this industry is so low it could be used as a limbo pole.",
"byline": "Kevin Trokey",
"kicker": "Best Practices",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 16, 2019",
"wordcount": "614",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
"readtime": "4",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/kevin-trokey/",
"name": "Kevin Trokey"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/best-practices/",
"sectionName": "Best Practices"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/08/BrokenCanPhoneShutterstock.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/11/is-retirement-half-empty-or-half-full/",
"title": "Is retirement half empty or half full?",
"summary": "When it comes to retirement, is America optimistic or pessimistic?",
"byline": "Christopher Carosa",
"kicker": "Commentary",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 11, 2019",
"wordcount": "611",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
"readtime": "4",
"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/412/2019/07/water-glasses.jpg",
"width": "617",
"height": "411"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/08/30/finding-our-common-ground/",
"title": "Finding our common ground",
"summary": "It's easy to make assumptions about those who are different from you. But you know what helps? Actually talking to them.",
"byline": "Paul Wilson",
"kicker": "Editor's Letter",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "August 30, 2019",
"wordcount": "527",
"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/412/2018/05/PaulWilson2.jpg",
"width": "300",
"height": "341"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/03/the-newest-ai/",
"title": "The newest AI",
"summary": "A couple of insights for benefit professionals as we consider artificial intelligence in our market.",
"byline": "Marty Traynor",
"kicker": "Commentary",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 03, 2019",
"wordcount": "582",
"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/412/2019/08/AIConceptTechDigitalShutterstock.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/18/talk-to-me/",
"title": "Talk to me",
"summary": "Guidance from brokers is key to maximize employers' benefits investment.",
"byline": "Gil Murdock",
"kicker": "Best Practices",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 18, 2019",
"wordcount": "1124",
"timeToRead": "6 minute",
"readtime": "6",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/gil-murdock/",
"name": "Gil Murdock"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/best-practices/",
"sectionName": "Best Practices"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/08/0919-Successful-Communication-MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/05/its-personal-a-qa-with-colleen-blum/",
"title": "It's personal: A Q&A with Colleen Blum",
"summary": "Colleen Blum loves working with people finding out how to tie the insurance conversation into their specific business or lifestyle.",
"byline": "Paul Wilson",
"kicker": "Q&A",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 05, 2019",
"wordcount": "1490",
"timeToRead": "8 minute",
"readtime": "8",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/",
"name": "Paul Wilson"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/q-and-a/",
"sectionName": "Q&A"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/08/Blum-Colleen-MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/07/24/youre-the-reason-so-many-americans-want-single-payer/",
"title": "You're the reason so many Americans want single-payer",
"summary": "The title of this article is not click bait. I stand behind that statement and here's why.",
"byline": "Christopher Yarn",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "July 24, 2019",
"wordcount": "1607",
"timeToRead": "9 minute",
"readtime": "9",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/christopher-yarn/",
"name": "Christopher Yarn"
}
],
"kickerNode": [],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/07/shutterstock_146536856-1.jpg",
"width": "750",
"height": "498"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/04/the-road-to-proper-health-care-is-still-plagued-by-barriers/",
"title": "Barriers block the path to health care access",
"summary": "Low health literacy, high skin-in-the game and dwindling physician ranks present significant barriers to basic health services.",
"byline": "Dan Cook",
"kicker": "Analysis",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 04, 2019",
"wordcount": "34",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
"readtime": "1",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/dan-cook/",
"name": "Dan Cook"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/analysis/",
"sectionName": "Analysis"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/09/0919-Access-Roadblocks-MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/17/ongoing-enrollment-communication/",
"title": "Ongoing enrollment communication",
"summary": "Like studying for an exam, regular, intentional communications are more effective for open enrollment than a last-minute blitz.",
"byline": "Alan Goforth",
"kicker": "Best Practices",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 17, 2019",
"wordcount": "1160",
"timeToRead": "6 minute",
"readtime": "6",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/alan-goforth/",
"name": "Alan Goforth"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/best-practices/",
"sectionName": "Best Practices"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/08/0919-Enrollment-Communication-MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/18/getting-the-most-from-a-sale/",
"title": "Getting the most from a sale",
"summary": "Successful brokers make sure that when selling a product into a case, they include the enrollment method to be used.",
"byline": "Bonnie Brazzell and Nick Rockwell",
"kicker": "Best Practices",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "September 18, 2019",
"wordcount": "403",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
"readtime": "3",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/bonnie-brazzell/",
"name": "Bonnie Brazzell"
},
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/",
"name": "Nick Rockwell"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/best-practices/",
"sectionName": "Best Practices"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/02/sales-hand-dial.jpg",
"width": "617",
"height": "410"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/07/23/digging-deeper-health-data-mining-platforms-surge-ahead/",
"title": "Digging deeper: Health data mining platforms surge ahead",
"summary": "Employers suddenly have myriad options for managing and mining their employees health care data.",
"byline": "Dan Cook",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "July 23, 2019",
"wordcount": "1223",
"timeToRead": "7 minute",
"readtime": "7",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/dan-cook/",
"name": "Dan Cook"
}
],
"kickerNode": [],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/04/03IoT-1.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
}
],
"navigations": [
{
"name": "Letter from the Editor",
"description": "",
"link": "",
"query": "",
"showAll": "",
"searchContents": [
{
"uri": "/2019/08/30/finding-our-common-ground/",
"title": "Finding our common ground",
"byline": "Paul Wilson",
"kicker": "Editor's Letter",
"summary": "It's easy to make assumptions about those who are different from you. But you know what helps? Actually talking to them.",
"isDownload": "false",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/",
"name": "Paul Wilson"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/editors-letter/",
"sectionName": "Editor's Letter"
}
],
"readtime": "3",
"prettyDate": "August 30, 2019",
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/05/PaulWilson2.jpg",
"width": "300",
"height": "341"
}
}
]
},
{
"name": "Cover Story",
"description": "",
"link": "",
"query": "",
"showAll": "",
"searchContents": []
},
{
"name": "Features",
"description": "",
"link": "",
"query": "",
"showAll": "",
"searchContents": [
{
"uri": "/2019/09/18/talk-to-me/",
"title": "Talk to me",
"byline": "Gil Murdock",
"kicker": "Best Practices",
"summary": "Guidance from brokers is key to maximize employers' benefits investment.",
"isDownload": "false",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/gil-murdock/",
"name": "Gil Murdock"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/best-practices/",
"sectionName": "Best Practices"
}
],
"readtime": "6",
"prettyDate": "September 18, 2019",
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/08/0919-Successful-Communication-MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/07/24/youre-the-reason-so-many-americans-want-single-payer/",
"title": "You're the reason so many Americans want single-payer",
"byline": "Christopher Yarn",
"kicker": "",
"summary": "The title of this article is not click bait. I stand behind that statement and here's why.",
"isDownload": "false",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/christopher-yarn/",
"name": "Christopher Yarn"
}
],
"kickerNode": [],
"readtime": "9",
"prettyDate": "July 24, 2019",
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/07/shutterstock_146536856-1.jpg",
"width": "750",
"height": "498"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/17/ongoing-enrollment-communication/",
"title": "Ongoing enrollment communication",
"byline": "Alan Goforth",
"kicker": "Best Practices",
"summary": "Like studying for an exam, regular, intentional communications are more effective for open enrollment than a last-minute blitz.",
"isDownload": "false",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/alan-goforth/",
"name": "Alan Goforth"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/best-practices/",
"sectionName": "Best Practices"
}
],
"readtime": "6",
"prettyDate": "September 17, 2019",
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/08/0919-Enrollment-Communication-MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/07/23/digging-deeper-health-data-mining-platforms-surge-ahead/",
"title": "Digging deeper: Health data mining platforms surge ahead",
"byline": "Dan Cook",
"kicker": "",
"summary": "Employers suddenly have myriad options for managing and mining their employees health care data.",
"isDownload": "false",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/dan-cook/",
"name": "Dan Cook"
}
],
"kickerNode": [],
"readtime": "7",
"prettyDate": "July 23, 2019",
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/04/03IoT-1.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
}
]
},
{
"name": "Face of Change",
"description": "",
"link": "",
"query": "",
"showAll": "",
"searchContents": []
},
{
"name": "Columnists",
"description": "",
"link": "",
"query": "",
"showAll": "",
"searchContents": [
{
"uri": "/2019/09/11/is-retirement-half-empty-or-half-full/",
"title": "Is retirement half empty or half full?",
"byline": "Christopher Carosa",
"kicker": "Commentary",
"summary": "When it comes to retirement, is America optimistic or pessimistic?",
"isDownload": "false",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/christopher-carosa/",
"name": "Christopher Carosa"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/commentary/",
"sectionName": "Commentary"
}
],
"readtime": "4",
"prettyDate": "September 11, 2019",
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/07/water-glasses.jpg",
"width": "617",
"height": "411"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/03/the-newest-ai/",
"title": "The newest AI",
"byline": "Marty Traynor",
"kicker": "Commentary",
"summary": "A couple of insights for benefit professionals as we consider artificial intelligence in our market.",
"isDownload": "false",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/marty-traynor/",
"name": "Marty Traynor"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/commentary/",
"sectionName": "Commentary"
}
],
"readtime": "3",
"prettyDate": "September 03, 2019",
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/08/AIConceptTechDigitalShutterstock.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"uri": "/2019/09/18/getting-the-most-from-a-sale/",
"title": "Getting the most from a sale",
"byline": "Bonnie Brazzell and Nick Rockwell",
"kicker": "Best Practices",
"summary": "Successful brokers make sure that when selling a product into a case, they include the enrollment method to be used.",
"isDownload": "false",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/bonnie-brazzell/",
"name": "Bonnie Brazzell"
},
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/",
"name": "Nick Rockwell"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/best-practices/",
"sectionName": "Best Practices"
}
],
"readtime": "3",
"prettyDate": "September 18, 2019",
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/02/sales-hand-dial.jpg",
"width": "617",
"height": "410"
}
}
]
},
{
"name": "Action/Reaction",
"description": "",
"link": "",
"query": "",
"showAll": "",
"searchContents": []
}
],
"sponsors": []
}
}