Your employer clients have to be careful when looking at dental and vision plan options. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) now requires every new, non-grandfathered, insured small group health plan to offer an“essential health benefits” (EHB)package that includes pediatric and pediatric vision benefits. But the PPACA EHB requirements do not apply to grandfathered plans, self-insured plans […]
Author: michael
Exchanges plans are cheaper, report finds
BY KATHRYN MAYER The debate over Obamacare prices — and data supporting both sides — rages on. New analysis from HealthPocket indicates plans are cheaper on the exchanges than off them. Analyzing premium prices from four major carriers that are offered off the exchanges with comparable bronze, silver and gold plans on the exchanges, researchers found that […]
Brokers’ big role? Clearing up PPACA confusion
We’ve heard it all before. Survey after survey finds consumers are still blissfully unaware of or simply confused by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This despite the fact that the exchanges have been open for weeks now and the law’s other main provisions go live in just a few weeks. Many are even confused […]
PPACA expected to lower workers’ comp claims
BY BRUCE JACOBS Add “Obamacare” to the phrase “unintended consequences” and a lot of people sprint straight to the storm cellar. But the unintended consequences (none of which are direct) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on the workers’ compensation system may present employers, workers and carriers with perhaps more silver lining than cloud. […]
5 steps to better meetings
BY DAN COOK Are meetings leaving you feeling drained, frustrated and concerned about how much of your life has been spent in pointless banter with colleagues who’d rather be anywhere than in a meeting? Guess what — you’re in the majority. According to a Robert Half Management Resources survey of more than 400 employees who attend meetings, […]
Employers still in the dark about PPACA costs
BY KATHRYN MAYER Though it’s the talk — and concern — of companies nationwide (and has been for years, now), most employers still haven’t gotten around to measuring the cost impact of Obamacare. That’s the significant finding from a new survey of more than 1,000 employers from broker Willis. Only 37 percent of respondents said they’ve […]
California Senate OKs boost in minimum wage to $13 an hour
BY MICHAEL B. MAROIS May 29 (Bloomberg) — California’s minimum wage would increase to $13 a hour, the highest in the nation, under a bill approved by the state Senate and sent to the Assembly. The legislation by Mark Leno, a San Francisco Democrat, would phase in the increase to $11 next year, $12 in 2016 […]
Is payroll deduction really necessary?
BY GIL LOWERRE AND BONNIE BRAZZELL Sometimes, payroll deduction for voluntary products isn’t an option. Whether for technical reasons, employee demographics, or employer preference, payroll deduction might not be available. But when it is, it’s usually the preferred methodology. But only considering what is easiest for us and the HR department is risky. It’s just as […]
5 Factors That Could Sway Insurance Prices In 2015
By TOM MURPHY, AP Business Writer Associated Press Customers who bought health insurance on the overhaul’s public exchanges can expect a flurry of reports about big price hikes and some decreases for 2015 as insurers finalize their rates over the next few weeks. But they shouldn’t give much weight to any of this. The actual change in […]
15 ways to make employees happy
BY DAN COOK You can offer employees a lavish buffet lunch onsite every day, bring in a masseuse on Fridays and hold the company picnic at Disney World. But at the end of the day, if you have the wrong people in the wrong jobs, you will still not have a happy workforce. That is […]