Increases to premium for individual health insurance may be on the horizon for 2017. Insurers everywhere are citing financial losses under Obamacare or ACA. The rates of these increases vary from state to state. In North Carolina, for example, Aetna is requesting 24.5% increase and Blue Cross by 18.8% while United Healthcare has decided to withdraw from the exchange market entirely. Many should not feel the hit of these increases due to the numerous tax credits available on the exchange. Continue reading →

One continuing issue is the problem that health care reform poses for the staffing industry and similar employers. This type of business may find they are now obligated to offer health coverage to relatively short-term and employees who work variable hours. This will continue to be a learning curve for companies such as temp agencies.
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The federal agencies have finalized the new versions of the summary of benefits coverage (SBC) template. For all businesses, this template will be used starting for plan years beginning on or after April 1, 2017. Under the Affordable Care Act, group health plans and health insurance providers are now going to be required to provide a SBC to all plan participants during open enrollment for company benefit coverage. As per the Affordable Care Act, all businesses will now be required to provide additional information to their employees. Continue reading →

As health care spending sky rockets, the buzz of implementing wellness programs is becoming louder. Employers want to control health care spending, see higher productivity rates, and increase employee satisfaction while struggling to find the right program. I’ve heard their statements many times “We are still trying to figure it out,” and “people are not engaged.” Continue reading →