Employee Benefit News

Health care reform, we hardly knew ye

It is with more than a little trepidation that I even embark on this column about health care reform, knowing that whatever I write today could be obsolete by, oh, let's say tomorrow, shall we?

Make the connection

Editor's inbox: Reader offers three-pronged strategy to improving health

Health care is increasingly helping shape business success or failure. The best way for organizations to realize the total economic value of health, well-being and optimal employee engagement is to execute a three-pronged healthy achievement strategy featuring a competitive benefits package, employee accountability and health-risk management.

Finding a broad focus

The January issue showed us one example of how we have the power to redefine our roles as advisers and bring something special to the table.

Seeing the world through new eyes

The theme I found in the December issue was seeing the benefits world through "new eyes."

Going above and beyond

The pressure is on health insurance brokers. According to a national study by the Society for Human Resource Management, 17% of companies are cutting health care benefits due to economic and employment trends, and 32% are changing health care plans for demographic reasons.

The new "us"

The November issue had a major theme that ran through it - the redefining of what a benefit adviser should be - the new "us."

The problem with Mr. Plaid

Old-school producers don't serve themselves or their agency well. But you can change a Plaid's stripes.

Letter to the Editor: The $81 billion bill that will really cost $1.4 trillion or more!

Recently we have seen numerous headlines about the “Baucus bill” and how Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) was ecstatic about the CBO estimates that the bill would be budget neutral — in fact was trumpeted as saving $81 billion over 10 years. How can spending an additional $829 billion actually save $81 billion? The truth is it can’t. Although the Baucus bill is far superior to most proposals on the table, even this bill clearly demonstrates why the federal government should never be trusted in running any program.

Service, service, service

The theme I found running through the September issue was service to our clients. It all started with EBA's Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year, George Danusis ('A reformed state of mind,' p. 31). Congratulations George! The 'servant's heart' that he has is an important solution to health care reform. By talking with his clients and insureds about how a plan works and what fits them best, he is using one of the best tools to control cost: education. Service to a client should start with spending time explaining how each benefit plan fits into the bigger picture. It takes time to educate, and educate we must. We benefit advisers know how plans work - do your clients?

Remembrance and reinvention

While I did not know him intimately, Robert Whiddon made quite an impression on me the first time we spoke. He needed an article on health care, but he could not guarantee it would be published unless it was a) informative b) 'edgy' and c) raised awareness around issues that needed to be advanced in our business. Now, that was pressure!

Are you a trusted adviser?

From tackling COBRA head-on to performing double duty as an adviser and a financial planner, it's time to step up your game to meet clients' growing needs.

Now is the time for action

Wow, what an issue last month! Our future as benefit advisers will be decided soon. We need to get involved.

Spit out the binkie and drop the blankie

When President Barack Obama rips open the health reform piñata will there be any candies left for you?

Opinion letter questions legality of HRAs

Seemingly oblivious to the ever-increasing concern shared by the rest of the country over rising health care costs, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently cast doubt on the use of health risk assessments, a proven effective tool in the fight against rising group health insurance costs.