By Mary Agnes Carey KHN Staff Writer OCT 13, 2010 Health insurers can’t have different rules for when individual policies are sold for children with medical problems than for healthy kids, the Department of Health and Human Services said today. Some insurers want to allow healthy children to enroll year-round but only have a limited … Continued
More than six months have passed since President Barack Obama signed the health care reform bill into law. A number of provisions are now in effect, and federal agencies are working to clarify lingering questions in the legislation. One aspect that could have a significant impact on employers and employees — reimbursement for medical expenses … Continued
As enrollment for 2011 calendar-year plans kicks into high gear, a series of studies suggest that employees are changing their attitudes — and their demands — about employee benefits. For 2010 coverages, many employees (45 percent) actively chose their benefits rather than simply defaulting to what they had in the previous year, according to new … Continued
Source: Davis Wright Tremaine LLP [via BenefitsLink] 05-Oct-2010 By Richard J. Birmingham If you maintain an insured health plan, the starting point for any grandfather analysis is with your insurance carrier. Many insurance carriers serving midsized employers have indicated they are going to issue new policies and, therefore, grandfathering will not be an option. If … Continued
Source: The Associated Press [via The Washington Post and Kaiser Health News] By Melissa Nelson Crucial pieces of a lawsuit challenging the Obama administration’s health care overhaul can go to trial, with a judge saying [this week] he wants to hear more arguments over whether it’s constitutional to force citizens to buy health insurance. In … Continued
Source: Crain’s Detroit Business [via AHIP Wellness SmartBrief] 10-Oct-2010 By Jay Greene Dee Edington is optimistic that companies are starting to understand the relationship between healthy employees and profitability. “I am positive about wellness. Companies have been adopting it more the past couple years, and it has grown exponentially,” said Edington, director of the University … Continued
A recent study examining the impact of an obese workforce on companies provides new reasons for employers to consider taking steps to keep their employees fit and healthy. A new Duke University analysis found that obesity costs U.S. employers a whopping $73.1 billion per year in health care costs and lost productivity, according to a … Continued
The 2010 UBA Health Plan Survey was conducted October 1, 2009 to June 4, 2010, through the joint effort of 145 of the nation’s premier independent benefit advisory firms who comprise UBA. Member Firms, in conjunction with existing clients, completed responses, and additional area employers were invited to complete the web-based surveys. UBA obtained plan data for … Continued
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act undoubtedly has created angst for many employers. While much of the law’s impact will not be felt for several years, limited medical plans (aka, mini-med plans) are in PPACA’s crosshairs right now. If your company is currently using a mini-med plan, there are five key things you need … Continued