Broker Innovation Lab

The power of 'coopetition'

Curtis Colbert | April 11, 2018

I recently attended the Ascend Conference in Nashville and Q4Live in Tampa and was pleasantly surprised to find an enormous amount of collaboration and discussion among industry leaders who were freely giving away their special sauce.

Overcoming 3 common employer objections to reference-based pricing

Alex Tolbert | April 11, 2018

Reference-based pricing plans can result in significant savings, but there are a few common concerns employers have when they first hear about self-insuring and reference-based pricing.

What’s the good news, ladies? April edition

Susan L. Combs | April 09, 2018

This month, I’m very excited to introduce you to my new friends, Megan, Deborah and Lucila!

Why I’m leaving a hospital-owned PCP

Rachel Miner | April 06, 2018

It’s exciting for me. I get to practice what I preach. Better care; better outcomes.

3 approaches to reference-based pricing

Alex Tolbert | March 30, 2018

There are multiple strategies for employers to implement cost containment concepts in their self-funded plans. Here are a few of the approaches we’ve seen self-funding vendors use.

6 ways to overcome today’s threats to consumer-driven health care

Steven Auerbach | March 30, 2018

6 ways brokers and employers can partner to overcome today’s threats to consumer-driven health care.

Tackling the health care ‘tapeworm’

Alex Tolbert | March 26, 2018

Prices keep rising, but value in the traditional fully-funded health plan seems to be shrinking, and the Affordable Care Act is one reason why.

CI insurance doesn’t have to be critical

Christin Kuretich | March 26, 2018

Critical illness insurance was born due to the soaring medical bills people found themselves shackled with after surviving a critical health event, such…

Lowering health care costs: There's a better way

Suzy K. Johnson | March 16, 2018

Ongoing shifts have motivated many expert advisors, thought leaders, and health care entrepreneurs to seek better ways to deliver health care to employees, with the goal of reducing costs for the employer and the employee while improving care delivery and outcomes.

Direct primary care 101

Alex Lickerman, M.D. | March 16, 2018

Direct primary care physicians are able to achieve better access to medical care, better quality of care, and lower overall health care costs because they can offer their patients both immediate access and more time.

5 tips on promoting a culture of health

Brian Latkowski | March 12, 2018

OK, I’ll admit that promoting a culture of health within the workforce is not exactly like pressing the “easy button.” But there are solutions which…

What’s the good news, ladies? March Madness edition

Susan L. Combs | March 12, 2018

These women are doing fantastic things in the industry and I’m very happy to have them be part of the WTGNL Crew!

5 technology trends every broker needs to know about

Sally Poblete | March 02, 2018

Here are the top trends and innovations we believe will shape insurance brokerage business in 2018.

Two opportunities created by association health plans

Alex Tolbert | March 01, 2018

The new regulations around association health plans create two distinct opportunities in the benefits industry.

Editor's Letter News

Welcome to the newly redesigned BenefitsPRO website

Paul Wilson | February 28, 2018

Take a look at our newly redesigned BenefitsPRO.com website. We're excited about it and hope you will be too.

Innovation overload?

Bob Cummings | February 22, 2018

Has there been too much hype in the insurance industry surrounding emerging technologies?

The evolution of cancer insurance

Stephanie Shields | February 21, 2018

Cancer insurance is evolving to help meet the needs of modern-day patients and their families.

ACA is here to stay — and that’s good news for brokers

Alex Tolbert | February 16, 2018

Despite its challenges, the ACA has created some big opportunities for this industry, especially for brokers working with small and mid-sized employers.

8 things to know about telehealth this year

Dan Trencher | February 15, 2018

Read on, for eight predictions for virtual care delivery in 2018.

Up-and-coming brokers and carriers: Where's the connection?

Ron Neyer | February 12, 2018

Most carriers in the workplace benefits space are looking to establish relationships with new brokers. While they have compelling reasons for leaning on their tenured advisors (especially those generating significant production), they need to find future revenue sources in order to ensure long-term success.

What’s the good news, ladies? Feel the love

Susan L. Combs | February 08, 2018

These women were all introduced to me by a fan of this series, Eric Silverman! Eric is a great advocate for our industry and for women in our industry, so I love the extra support he has been providing to this column by making great recommendations for some incredible...

The bright future of non-traditional benefits

Amy Christofis | February 05, 2018

Employees are working longer hours than ever before, which has led to an increase in mental burnout, pushing employees to switch jobs more frequently -- that's where non-traditional benefits can play a key role.

5 predictions for consumer-driven health care in 2018

Steve Auerbach | February 05, 2018

We have identified five trends for consumer-driven healthcare (CDH) that are sure to be at the forefront of the conversation in 2018.

Keep an eye on these 5 benefits trends in 2018

Gerry Leonard | January 29, 2018

Which trends will dominate and continue to define the benefits landscape in 2018? Here are few hot topics to watch in the new year.

Technology puts health care in patient’s hands, creates community

David Saltzman | January 29, 2018

Aging baby boomers who insist on remaining at home even while they manage chronic conditions, combined with a shortage of 90,000 physicians is combining to drive technology to fill the gaps. Learn about the latest and greatest on this episode.

5 financial wellness trends to watch in 2018

Elizabeth Halkos | January 16, 2018

Employers, and the benefit brokers who advise them, are going to have to take a deeper dive into financial wellness benefits in 2018.

Help employers see the value of voluntary

Dennis Healy | January 16, 2018

Once employers understand the true value of voluntary benefits, they will be more willing to increase their offerings.

What’s the good news, ladies? Happy New Year!

Susan L. Combs | January 12, 2018

As we kick off the new year, Im very happy to share the news of Christina and Jean and how they are making a difference and leaving their footprint in our industry.

Three small group trends to watch in 2018

Alex Tolbert | January 10, 2018

More small employers will be looking for new ways to bend the cost curve in the new year, including adopting new funding strategies and innovative payment models. Here are three trends to watch in the small group space next year.

Turning small business broker attrition into an opportunity

Kevin Dunn | January 05, 2018

Some forward leaning agencies are learning that they can deliver a higher standard of client service and contribute to the bottom line by monetizing their small book of business.

What's a certified PEO and how can they help your brokerage?

Michael Altiero | January 05, 2018

Many brokers and small business leaders have heard of professional employer organizations (PEO). However, it is still common within the industry to not fully understand how to distinguish one PEO from another.

3 questions for benefits professionals in 2018

Alex Tolbert | December 21, 2017

Whats ahead for the benefits industry in 2018? There are several trends that will affect benefits professionals in the coming year.

What benefits do millennials want? Ask two millennials

Chris Caldari, John Milne | December 21, 2017

As a couple of millennials who work in the employee benefits industry, we bring a unique perspective to the ever-changing health care landscape.

3 Hannukah takeaways for agents

Allison Bell | December 18, 2017

The need to follow the crowd and the desire for exclusivity are both powerful motivators you can use to your advantage.

What’s the good news, ladies? Happy holidays edition!

Susan L. Combs | December 13, 2017

It has been so much fun to meet so many wonderful women in our industry this year from around the country and feel inspired by their stories.

How brokers will turn to talent and digital transformation in 2018

Bruce Whittredge | December 07, 2017

Come 2018, I believe brokers will continue to shift the conversation with clients from technology to talent.

The value in voluntary

Sally Poblete | December 06, 2017

As a small group broker, are you ready to meet the demand and discuss voluntary benefits with your clients?

Partnering with a PEO

Lecie Steinbaum | December 04, 2017

Any broker looking for a competitive edge in their market can partner with a PEO to provide services beyond the traditional broker-model offerings.

6 predictions for the benefits and HR industry in 2018

David Reid | December 04, 2017

For the benefits and HR industry, more reliance on technology, equals more reliance on brokers to help employers make their way in an ever more complex world.

5 options to help your clients address pain in the workplace

Dr. Denee Choice and Dr. Doug Metz | November 27, 2017

Here are five options that brokers and benefits administrators should consider when determining a strategy to deal with pain in the workplace.

ACA: A glimmer of hope?

Michael Weiskirch | November 27, 2017

Despite the focus on the post-election state of affairs, the real story regarding the uninsured population is not what has happened over the last year, but what has occurred over the last two enrollment cycles

5 benefits tech lessons learned in 2017

Alex Tolbert | November 20, 2017

As 2017 winds to a close, the benefits tech industry can look back on a year of big lessons.

What’s the good news, ladies? November edition

Susan L. Combs | November 20, 2017

This is a special edition of Whats the Good News, Ladies? because I get to toot my horn a little and highlight some great women!

Client retention: The mobile “plug and play” advantage

Gene Raymondi | November 13, 2017

A revolutionary plug and play benefits platform provides brokers with an advantage that addresses employers retention challenges by delivering a customized benefits solution.

How technology solutions can impact HSAs and open enrollment

Begonya Klumb | November 08, 2017

One way to ensure employees are receiving the most accurate and helpful information available is to utilize new technology and data segmentation that can help drive informed decision making.

Podcast

Benefits enrollment: up close and personal

Bruce Hentschel | November 06, 2017

Lets take a step back and think about how we can elevate engagement in what can sometimes be a highly unsatisfying enrollment process.

Benefits that matter to millennials

Christy DeFrain | November 06, 2017

Figuring out how to recruit, work with and retain millennials may be one of the biggest challenges HR faces today.

6 questions to ask before choosing a benefits marketplace

Alan Cohen | October 30, 2017

Choice in products and plans is at the core of most online benefits marketplaces operating today. Without meaningful choice, a solution would be hard pressed to deliver the results for employee satisfaction that the industry is currently realizing.

Health insurance premiums: the domino effect

Michael Weiskirch | October 30, 2017

As the fate of CSRs continues to play out in Washington, here is a brief timeline of whats happened so far.

3 quick tips to support clients with new platforms

Alex Tolbert | October 23, 2017

Adopting a benefits administration and HR platform can make open enrollment easier for you and your clients. That said, you will still need to provide a level of support around the technology, especially in the first year it is implemented.