Insurance

Prepare now for the next round of MLR rebates

06/19/2013

Group health insurers that don’t spend between 80 and 85 cents of every premium dollar on medical care and health care quality improvement must make medical loss ratio (MLR) rebates to employees. This year’s rebates are due by Aug. 1. Take these steps now to prepare.

Kraft improves worker health with new integrated strategy

06/17/2013

Integrating its employee wellness, productivity and health care programs into a unified strategy helped Kraft Foods Group reduce its medical spending growth trend from 8% in 2009 to 1.2% in 2012.

HEXs and SHOPs: Welcome to the new world of health benefits

06/13/2013

Under the Affordable Care Act, open enrollment for the individual health exchanges, or HEXs, begins Oct. 1, 2013. The outlook for the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOPs, through which small employers may buy health insurance is a bit more complicated. Here’s where things stand.

DOL issues revised model COBRA notice

06/12/2013

The DOL last month published an updated version of its model COBRA election notice, as well as model notices that employers can use to tell employees about their options for buying health insurance through the new state exchanges.

New wellness rules allow premium incentives

06/11/2013

Employers will be able to offer rich incentives for employees to participate in workplace wellness programs under final rules issued May 29 by the Obama administration.

6 key ACA terms benefits pros must know

06/10/2013

There’s lots of new lingo built into the Affordable Care Act. Understanding what these six terms mean can help you make better decisions about the health benefits you offer.

Status of States’ Positions on HEXs/SHOPs and Medicaid

06/10/2013

Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals will be able to buy health insurance policies through individual health exchanges (HEXs). States may create their own HEXs, and may create SHOPs (Small Business Health Options Program). This chart summarizes the states’ current positions on HEXs, SHOPs and whether they will expand their Medicaid rolls.

Health care reform: Prepare now for employer mandate in 2014

05/30/2013

Although the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate takes effect in 2014, implementation of several requirements will depend on circumstances that unfold this year. Employers should plan ahead to avoid unexpected negative consequences. Immediate actions may be necessary.

ACA regs keep rolling along

05/23/2013

Full implementation of the Affordable Care Act health care reform law is mere months away, which means that the IRS and the Department of Health and Human Services have a lot of work to do in a short period of time. The latest regulations cover the 90-day waiting period for new employees and temporary reinsurance fees.

Sugar lockout comes to sweet conclusion for employer

05/10/2013

The 20-month-long American Crystal Sugar lockout is finally over. In April, 55% of the members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 167G ratified a contract that closely resembles a deal they rejected on four previous votes.