Health Reform Talk: The Baucus Proposal and Larger EmployersFollowing Wolters Kluwer Health Reform Talk Blog
How CEOs Can Help Fix Health CareIt's time for American companies to turn health care costs from a weakness into a strength.
Consumer Health Technologies Presents “Capitalizing on Health Savings Accounts” at the Employee BeneHealth Care Claim Costs Expected to Rise 10.5 %Costs for employer-provided health plans are expected to rise more than 10 percent within the next 12 months, a jump workers may feel in their paychecks or through changes to their insurance coverage.
Health Insurance Innovation Is PossibleFormer U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson References Liazon on Larry King Live
Survey: Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHPs) in the U.S. Have Surpassed HMO Plans United Benefit Advisors (UBA) from its 2009 UBA Health Plan Survey reveals Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHPs) in the U.S. have surpassed HMO plans in covered employees
Employee Benefits Industry Organizes to Protect Flexible Spending Accounts From Elimination or ContrPlan Participants Will Face Increased Taxes and Health Care Costs with Structural Change
Health Savings Accounts Are Likely to Survive Reform, May Even Flourish Under Proposed Mandates While nothing is certain except death and taxes, health reform observers queried by HPW say that health savings accounts (HSAs) are too deeply entrenched in the market to be eliminated. If they are targeted, any modifications would likely be minor, the observers say.
Catalyst Rx New Sales Top $250 Million Annually; Company Completes Strategic AcquisitionCatalyst Rx announced today that it secured new PBM business cumulatively representing more than $250 million in annualized revenues and acquired Total Script, a PBM based out of Broomfield, Colorado.
Consumer Health Technologies and My Wellchoice+ Announce Strategic Allianceonsumer Health Technologies, Inc. and My Wellchoice+ have joined forces to provide third-party administrators, payers and financial institutions a one stop destination for interactive fitness, nutrition, and emotional assistance programs as well as other wellness services.
My HSA Rewards Announces the Launch of My HSA Rewards WirelessTSYS Healthcare Signs Agreement with Consumer Health TechnologiesCommunicate CDHP Message Clearly Tips to introduce a successful CDHP
MasterCard Extends Agreement With OptumHealthOptumHealth Bank Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension to Issue MasterCard Cards for its Nearly 2 Million HSA, FSA and HRA Members
Lighthouse1 Announces 2009 Partner Awards at Rev ‘09Six companies were recognized at last evening’s Partner Awards Banquet at Rev ’09, Lighthouse1’s annual partner conference and forum being held this week.
RelayHealth and Lighthouse1 Announce PartnershipGuardian Survey Reveals Widespread Lack of Understanding of Health Savings Accounts National Study by Guardian Life Insurance Identifies Key Motivators for Participation
Account-Based Plans Are Commanding Major AttentionTrends, Utilization and Costs of Consumer Driven Health Care Accounts
Despite Escalating Costs, Employee Healthcare Benefits Aren’t on the Chopping BlockEmployers Continue to Regard Healthcare Benefits Programs as Vital to Maintaining a Healthy, Productive and Loyal Workforce during a Down Economy
Self-Funded Health Plans Can be Cost-Effective, Member-FriendlyBeing a self-funded employer gives you flexibility and creativity in benefit plan design, the perfect combination for a successful CDHC plan.
Effectiveness Justifies HSAs’ ExistenceThe benefits of HSAs and why they should be incorporated in health care reform.
New Research from EBRI: Many Support Lower Cost Sharing to Change Health Care System Use Many Americans support the use of lower cost sharing as an incentive to change the way individuals use the health care system
FieldMedia Announces Convergence of Successful Web Communities With Launch of EmployersWeb.comMetavante Sold to Fidelity National for $2.94 BillionLighthouse1 Launches Administrator Benchmark ReportLeader in Consumer Driven Healthcare provides benchmarking tools for partners
American CareSource Holdings Signs New Client Agreement With Principal Financial GroupSolutions Outlook: Opportunities and Caution Will Direct CDHC Under a New AdministrationOpportunities and Caution Will Direct Consumer-Driven Health Care Under a New Administration
Consumer-Directed Health Care Plans vs. Traditional PlansA nagging question for human resource decision-makers: How do CDHC plans, which are usually high deductible health plans paired with innovative programs, compare with traditional health insurance plans? It’s not always easy to explain, but consultant Jay Savan, a principal at Towers Perrin, spells out how they compare in this interview. Savan, who has been on the forefront of the consumer-directed health care movement since 1998, believes that account-based consumer-directed health care is “the way health insurance is going to right itself.” He’s been in the industry, primarily advising employers, since 1985 and has worked for A. Foster Higgins & Co. (now part of Mercer) and Arthur Andersen, among others.
Playing Hide & Seek With the Health and Wealth Info Consumers Want and NeedMetavante investigates challenges consumers face when it comes to managing their health plans and tax-advantaged benefits accounts online.
Looking Back on Tax-Advantaged Account Technology and Ahead to 2009A review of 2008 IIAS regulations and upcoming implementations for 2009
What Employers Want From Health Insurers--NowIn 2008, PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research team surveyed senior executives at more than 100 large US-based multinational companies and more than 250 privately held small companies. The large companies each have an average of 8,000 employees and revenue of about $3 billion. The small employers each have a workforce of about 200 and less than $50 million in revenue. In addition, PwC surveyed more than 500 human resources executives separately on benefit plan design issues. This white paper discusses the results of this survey.
Practical Innovation Trends That Save Money and Support Your Business NeedsMedical Savings Account (MSA)A Medical Savings Account (MSA) is an account, generally associated with self-employed individuals, in which tax-deferred deposits can be made for medical expenses.
FSA Debit CardAn FSA Debit Card is a special type of debit card issued in the United States to access tax-favored spending accounts such as flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health reimbursement accounts (HRA), and sometimes health savings accounts (HSA) as well.
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)Health Reimbursement Accounts or Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) are Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-sanctioned programs that allow an employer to reimburse medical expenses paid by participating employees.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows an employee to set aside a portion of his or her earnings to pay for qualified expenses as established in a cafeteria plan, most commonly for medical expenses but often for dependent care or other expenses.
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)A High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) is a health insurance plan with lower premiums and higher deductibles than a traditional health plan.
Health Savings Account (HSA)Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged medical savings account that may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses at any time without federal tax liability.
First HSA Offers DestinationRx Drug Comparison and Pricing ToolFirst HSA Offers DestinationRx Drug Comparison and Pricing Tool
First Horizon HSA a Good Match for Bluegrass Family Health HDHPFirst Horizon HSA a Good Match for Bluegrass Family Health HDHP
Renewed Interest in Tax Exempt Benefit TrustsRecent changes in financial accounting reporting obligations have caused many employers, both public and private, to re-examine the overall economics of pre-funding retiree medical benefits.
Change … Crisis … ChangeWhat if? What HSA Substantiation Would Mean to the Industry CDHC Superstars: Betty-Jo Saenz & Ron GoldsteinCDHC Solutions Recognizes the Best in Health Care Benefits Design with the 2nd Annual CDHC Superstars
CDHC Superstars: Cyndy Nayer, Shawn Jenkins, E. Craig KeohanCDHC Solutions Recognizes the Best in Health Care Benefits Design with the 2nd Annual CDHC Superstars
Congress has a HEART, Allows Health FSA Cash-Outs2008 CDHC Superstar Awards: Pioneers in CDHC We've awarded top innovators in health care these coveted honors for excellence and innovation in the rapidly changing world of CDHC. Read about these outstanding companies and the people at their helm as they lead the way with innovative plan design, implementation, and leadership. Inside are the profiles of the winners and finalists in each of the 8 categories.
Agency for Health Care, Research & Quality Launches New Website New website allows users to learn, share, and adopt new health care service delivery innovations.
Your Employees Happy, Healthy and in ControlSimple steps to increase high-deductible health plan participation.
Can You Increase Employee Satisfaction While Holding Costs In Check? Yes!Counteract rising health care costs with active health plan management. Here are three steps.
How to Push Adoption Rates Upward"The key to converting late adopters into HSA customers is education, promotion, and more education," Justin Raniszeski, Bank of America
Slash Costs With an Effective CDHC Plan Design"Does CDHC work? Absolutely, and it works as much for employees as for the employer, but the path is long and one needs to think outside the box when looking for ways to implement it—through careful plan design—and communicate these programs on a regular, consistent basis throughout the year." The City of Arlington, Texas achieves positive results with new CDHC plan design.
How Can I Work With My Bank to Reduce My Costs and/or Administration?Here are several scenarios illustrating how the health care industry is innovating and leveraging new financial solutions to address today's challenging environment.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Win-Win for Employers and EmployeesFreeing the Patients Can Save Our Health Care SystemIn 2011, when the first of the baby boomers become eligible for Medicare, the severity of the problem will begin to soar.
Wellness, Engagement, and the Future in 2008Be a Second-Time Buyer the First Time!Tips first-time buyers can use to add HSAs to their benefit plans like pros. Learn strategies to negotiate the right solutions for your employees.
New Solutions In SightBank of America Benefit Solutions enables a consistent approach to administering consumer-directed health care products.
HSA/FSA/HRAInsurers, Employers and Banks Will Determine the Future of Account-Based Plans
The Case For Credit In Consumer-Directed Health PlansWith the introduction of consumer-directed health care (CDHC), patients are faced with greater financial responsibility for services rendered. Without cash to pay for health services, patients may skip needed care.
Ease Administration with Technology BPOsSome entities offering health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements and flexible spending accounts underestimate the management complexity involved.
Expanding the HorizonsAs custodians of CDHC accounts, banks play a leading role in offering innovative benefits structures that help employers and individuals take a greater role in their ongoing health management and funding.
Consumerism and the Promise of a Healthier, Wealthier AmericaThe quality of care delivered in the United States remains seriously substandard when compared to the level of excellence we demand from other industries.
Cost Containment by Working with Your BankWorking with your bank to reduce costs: can it be done?
Become a Catalyst for a High-Performance Health SystemEngaging in one of the most crucial domestic policy debates of our time: fixing our nation's health care crisis.
CDHC Superstars: Jay SavanCDHC Solutions Recognizes the Best in Health Care Benefits Design With the 2nd Annual CDHC Superstars
HSA / HRA / FSA Administration & Finance