Health Insurance

The article discusses the ten states with the highest premium rate changes for 2023, based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The states with the highest increases are Alaska, Iowa, Wyoming, Montana, and Oklahoma, while the states with the highest decreases are Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Washington.

November 14, 2022

Now that the 2024 elections are mostly in the books, how will the shifting balance of power affect employer-sponsored healthcare?

November 11, 2024

The article discusses four health plan trends that employers can implement to lower costs and improve outcomes. These trends include greater use of telehealth services, the integration of mental and behavioral health services into primary care, greater focus on prevention and wellness, and more personalized health benefits and decision support tools.

March 4, 2023

The article discusses the benefits of offering voluntary insurance plans to employees. It highlights five key reasons why employers should consider offering these plans, including increased employee satisfaction and retention, the ability to offer a wider range of benefits, and lower costs compared to traditional insurance plans.

May 21, 2021

The Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) represents a big shift in the way health insurance is delivered.

December 12, 2022

Healthcare cost management can bring companies a significant return on cost savings with relatively little investment through following a few simple principles.

April 5, 2023

According to a report from Reuters, Amazon is stepping further into the healthcare industry by offering a $5 monthly subscription plan for U.S. Prime members.

February 2, 2023

On January 25, Senators Maria Cantwell, D-Washington and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, reintroduced the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act and the Prescription Pricing for the People Act.

February 1, 2023

Each week, the Mployer Advisor team parses through dozens of reports, industry news, updates, and headlines.

October 25, 2022

The new year is in full swing, and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.5% last month. This is the lowest unemployment rate on record for the past 50 years. Read on for what experts predict to be the unemployment rate for 2023...

January 25, 2023

The article discusses the possibility of offering health insurance to employees after the open enrollment period has ended. Employers can still offer health insurance to their employees outside the open enrollment period by utilizing special enrollment periods and qualifying life events.

February 23, 2021

This article explains the rules and requirements for small businesses to deduct health insurance premiums as a business expense on their tax returns. The article also provides information on the tax benefits and limitations of deducting health insurance premiums for small business owners.

February 22, 2021

Last Friday, Cigna Corp. reported that the company’s net income in the fourth quarter rose to $1.17 billion—up 4.4% from that time last year.

February 7, 2023

The article explores the question of whether insurance brokers have a fiduciary duty to their clients. It discusses the legal definitions of fiduciary duty and examines the various arguments for and against applying this standard to insurance brokers.

March 11, 2021

The article examines whether health insurance covers chiropractic services. It explains what chiropractic care is, how insurance companies typically cover it, and what factors can affect coverage.

September 28, 2020

As health care becomes more expensive, there are a variety of tactics that companies can employ to help keep those costs manageable and in check.

April 27, 2023

The article provides answers to frequently asked questions about employer health insurance. It covers topics such as the different types of plans available, the costs associated with providing coverage, and the legal requirements for offering health insurance to employees.

December 19, 2022

The article discusses a survey that found that many employers are concerned about covering their workers' mental health needs. It explores the reasons behind this concern, the types of mental health benefits that employers are offering, and the challenges they face in providing comprehensive coverage.

November 1, 2022

The article discusses the end of the era of free COVID-19 vaccines, test kits, and treatments, and the challenges that lie ahead in terms of who will pay for these resources going forward. It explores the different factors that will determine the cost of COVID-19 care, including insurance coverage, government programs, and the pharmaceutical industry.

February 13, 2023

The article discusses the rise in usage of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) as healthcare expenses continue to increase. It explores the benefits of FSAs for employees, the potential cost savings for employers, and what to expect in the future.

January 13, 2023

The article explores group health insurance options for very small companies, including those with only one employee. It discusses the benefits of group health insurance for small businesses, the options available, and what to consider when choosing a plan.

December 19, 2022

Health insurance expenses are climbing, but their rate of ascent can differ substantially depending on the level and type of competition in a given market.

April 13, 2023

Smaller companies are seeing worse premium increases than their larger counterparts, and those premium spikes are having a direct negative impact on enrollment numbers.

April 7, 2023

AI is currently being used by about 20% of businesses in the insurance space, and though it can't solve every problem (at least not yet), artificial intelligence is well-suited to helping businesses with fraud detection and prevention as well as claims administration and a few other specific business areas where AI is already showing great promise.

March 20, 2023

Insurance coverage can provide a vital safety net for employees in businesses of all sizes.

April 22, 2021

The cost of disability insurance for employers can vary depending on factors such as the size of the company, industry, and location, as well as the type and extent of coverage provided. The article explores these factors in more detail and provides estimates of the average cost of disability insurance premiums for employers.

March 12, 2021

Commercial insurance is an essential piece of protecting your small business’s operations and employees against potential liabilities.

March 12, 2021

There are a number of advantages that can be gained through self-funding, including cost savings and access to better data about expenditures and usage.

May 31, 2023

In many ways the insurance industry has been changed for the better, in other ways perhaps not, but in any case it has almost certainly been changed for good.

April 12, 2023

Preliminary insurance rate filings suggest that healthcare insurance rates will double from last year for small groups and individuals in 2023, with preliminary rates up 8% YoY. Although to a lesser degree, the same proportional increases hold true for large groups as well.

September 22, 2022

The article discusses how self-employed individuals can obtain health insurance coverage. It covers different options such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private insurance, and group insurance through professional organizations.

April 7, 2022

Small-group health insurance is medical insurance purchased by businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

March 29, 2022

The final unsubsidized 2023 insurance premiums are in. The average increase across the country is 6.2%; all but two states have increases coming into 2023.

November 11, 2022

A new survey by Employer Advisor has found that employers are still dissatisfied with the health insurance plans available to them. The survey revealed that nearly 80% of employers feel that health insurance options are too expensive, while 72% believe that the plans are too complex and difficult to understand.

February 3, 2023

When it comes to curing the ills of our healthcare system, federal regulators have focused on hospital and insurance carrier pricing “transparency” in recent years.

August 24, 2022

The article explains that Point-of-Service (POS) health insurance plans are a type of managed care plan that allows members to choose between in-network and out-of-network providers, but with varying levels of cost-sharing for each option. The pros of POS plans include greater flexibility in provider choice and potentially lower out-of-pocket costs, while the cons include the need to choose a primary care physician and potential for higher overall costs if out-of-network care is sought.

April 15, 2021

Preliminary health insurance premium rate increases are starting to be filed by state and are expected to climb considerably on average next year.

August 22, 2024

The use of telehealth services and other technological tools is becoming more common. The availability of these features has become a differentiating factor when many people are choosing between plans, and those that engage with this tech are less likely to switch plans in the first place.

The article discusses the consequences that businesses may face if they fail to provide health insurance to their employees. It explains that employers may face penalties under the Affordable Care Act and may also struggle to attract and retain talented employees without offering benefits.

May 21, 2021

The article discusses self-insured health plans, which are a type of health insurance plan where the employer takes on the financial risk for providing healthcare benefits to its employees. The article explains how self-insured plans work, the advantages and disadvantages of choosing this type of plan, and what employers need to consider before deciding whether to self-insure.

February 25, 2022

Health insurance is the single most popular employee benefit, and it’s easy to understand why.

September 1, 2021

The article explains the key differences between fully insured and self-funded health insurance plans, including the role of insurance companies and employer responsibilities, and how these distinctions can impact coverage and costs for employers and employees.

August 2, 2022

The article defines accident insurance as a type of insurance policy that provides financial protection to an individual in the event of an accident or injury. It also outlines the types of coverage typically offered by accident insurance policies, such as medical expenses, disability benefits, and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.

December 19, 2022

The article provides an overview of cancer insurance, including what it is, how it works, and its benefits. It also covers some important factors to consider when choosing a cancer insurance policy.

December 19, 2022

The article provides an overview of critical illness insurance, explaining what it is and how it works. It also discusses the benefits and drawbacks of this type of insurance policy and who may benefit from it.

December 19, 2022

The article explains what hospital indemnity insurance is, how it works, and who can benefit from it. It also discusses the coverage and limitations of this type of insurance and provides examples of situations where it may be useful.

December 19, 2022

Short term disability insurance provides payments directly to policyholders in the event that a covered illness or injury prevents them from working.

July 2, 2020

Short term health insurance provides coverage to individuals who are in an interim period between longer term plans.

December 19, 2022

The article explains the role of a health insurance broker, who acts as an intermediary between individuals or employers seeking health insurance and insurance companies. Brokers provide advice, assistance with enrollment, and ongoing support to their clients, helping them find the best coverage options at the most competitive prices.

December 19, 2022

The article provides information about the average employer contribution to health insurance and how it varies based on factors such as company size, location, and industry. It also discusses the different types of health insurance plans offered by employers and how they impact contribution amounts.

April 14, 2021

Offering more choices when it comes to health insurance gives employees the best chance to customize their plans in light of their current and expected needs.

June 9, 2023

Currently, more than half (54%) of all healthcare spending in the private sector continues to operate under the increasingly antiquated fee-for-service model, but that number is likely going to shrink quickly as consensus on the benefits of value-based care grows. 

December 19, 2023

The summary of the article would be: The article speculates on the possibility of Apple entering the health insurance industry in 2024, citing the company's recent moves into healthcare technology and its deep pockets as potential indicators. However, it remains unclear whether Apple has concrete plans to offer health insurance or not.

October 27, 2022