Industry Trends (58)
Monday, 25 February 2019 14:24
A Commonly Missed Employer Responsibility on Life Insurance
Written by Scott Nitowski
When an employee’s Group Life insurance plan ends, due to termination from the company or for other reasons, they don’t have to be left unprotected. Ex-employees are usually able to convert and/or port their coverage with the same Life carrier, but employers often are unaware of their obligations to the…
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Today’s job market is extremely competitive, and it can be difficult for employers to find the most talented workers. A company’s benefit package can make one employer stand out over another, and offering additional fringe benefits could be the crucial difference in attracting and retaining top talent.
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Friday, 23 November 2018 08:21
The Latest Front in The Battle to Lower Prescription Prices
Written by Scott Nitowski
The Trump Administration recently proposed a plan that could potentially cut pricing for pharmaceuticals through Medicare Part B. Attempts to lower these costs is nothing new, and the Obama administration had proposed something similar before he left office, with little success.
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Friday, 12 October 2018 14:03
Possible Changes Coming for Transgender Medical Benefits
Written by Brian Skeats
When the Obama administration issued guidance defining discrimination under the ACA to include denying certain benefits to transgender individuals, many employers began including new protocols for approving and covering certain benefits. Those requirements appear to be shifting in the face of recent court cases as well as an expected new…
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This past May, the Trump administration released its plans to reduce pharmaceutical prices on four fronts. The policy was laid out in a blueprint which describes the various fronts the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the department of Health and Human Services (HHS) propose to take to…
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If you have a self-funded or partially self-funded plan (including all “Level Funding” plans), you need to know about New York State’s Health Care Reform Act (HCRA) of 1996, even if you don’t have employees in New York. The HCRA, which still applies today, was created to generate funding for…
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Monday, 11 June 2018 15:41
Colorado Among States with Protections Against Balance Billing
Written by Juliet Fitzgibbons
When consumers need to access emergency health care services, they usually do not have the time nor presence of mind to determine whether a provider treating them is in-network or not. When those emergencies expose them to out-of-network providers, the provider or facility may “balance bill” the consumer for amounts…
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Reference Based Pricing (RBP) is a cost containment strategy that some larger employers have implemented to help place a cap on the cost of larger medical services. It’s a savvy strategy that, in the past, has worked best with self-funded large employers but is gaining steam across employers of all…
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For years, hospitals have made money by admitting (and readmitting) people. But what if it were more profitable to reduce readmissions? Both the Medicare Modernization Act and the Affordable Care Act increased the incentives hospitals have to reduce readmissions. But the state of Maryland is taking it even further and…
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Wednesday, 14 March 2018 11:27
Employee Benefit Trends for Hiring and Retention in 2018
Written by Scott Nitowski
We all know that attracting and keeping the superior employees in your field is a constant challenge. Employers must stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the needs of the future. We all wish we could predict the future, but until that time comes, here’s a nice summary from Paylocity…
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The Kaiser Family Foundation has released their 2017 Annual National Employer Benefits Survey. This survey compares employer-sponsored health benefits for private and nonfederal employers with three or more workers. Do you know how your current plans stack up to the competition? Fall River uses this Kaiser survey and other local…
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Tuesday, 26 September 2017 18:59
HRIS Technology: To Digital Infinity and Beyond
Written by Scott Nitowski
Habits are hard to kick and people are hesitant to change, but it’s no secret that HR functions are leaving the paper-based world and moving digital. Digital signatures, cloud computing and online benefits platforms are areas we are seeing most HR professionals gravitating towards. The major reasons we are seeing…
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Thursday, 17 August 2017 11:10
Will Cost Sharing Reductions to Insurers Continue?
Written by Juliet Fitzgibbons
In a Twitter message on July 29th, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to end government payments to health insurers if Congress did not pass a new healthcare bill. Trump tweeted "If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will…
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According to an article released by Optum, recent data shows Hepatitis C medications are positively contributing to specialty drug trend reductions and achieving lasting clinical results. FDA approved medications for Hepatitis C, such as Sovaldi and Harvoni, started entering the market in 2013, and with great controversy. These medications have…
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