Telemedicine and Workers Comp 2019

November 27, 2018
It looks as if telemedicine is a technology whose time has come.  In 2012, only 14 percent of large employers offered access to telehealth for select services. In 2018 — just six years later — 95 percent offer telehealth for minor, nonurgent services, in states where it is allowed,... Find out more »

The 6 Warning Signs of a Fake Workers’ Comp Claim

November 26, 2018
Only a small percentage of workers' comp claims are fraudulent but letting them go undetected can cost a lot. In an offbeat incident of workers comp fraud in Minnesota, a woman was found out when she showed no signs of having been injured even though the police report she submitted to... Find out more »

Taking Away the Barriers in the Workforce to Improved Mental Health

Mental illness is a growing problem in this country and treatment options are sparse. Fortunately, as an employer, you can take steps to make it easier for your employees to seek help. The Problem The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that one in five American adults has suffered... Find out more »

Navigating DOL 401(k) Audit Red Flags

Think there’s no way your retirement plan might be audited? Think again. The Department of Labor (DOL) can select any size retirement plan for a random 401(k) audit. Your plan also could face an audit if it matches an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) dataset targeting certain types of plans or... Find out more »

ERISA Q&A: What You Need to Know

If you currently offer, or are planning to offer your employees retirement benefits, make sure you’re familiar with ERISA rules and regulations. As a plan sponsor, you must meet at least minimum ERISA standards. One way to ensure you are compliant is to work with a qualified benefits... Find out more »

Individual ACA Rates are Going Up, Up, Up – Here’s Why

Some areas could see rate increases up to 98 percent Next year may see health insurance premiums on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace exchange increase 15 percent, although some states could see rates up to 98 percent higher. For instance, insurers in Maryland requested premium increases... Find out more »

Keeping Up with Medicare Changes

Here’s what you need to know for 2019. Medicare Part A provides basic hospital insurance and is available at no charge to those who are 65 or older — if they paid Medicare taxes while working. For many, though, that amount of coverage is not enough. Some people want a Medicare supplement... Find out more »

Wave of the Future: Value-Based Care

September 20, 2018
The practice of insurers paying fee for services to physicians and hospitals is going the way of the dinosaurs. Look for value-based care to replace the current payment model. With the fee for service approach, insurers pay medical providers based on the amount of health care services they... Find out more »

Alera Group Expands National Presence with Three Acquisitions

September 12, 2018
DEERFIELD, IL — Alera Group, a leading national employee benefits, property and casualty, risk management and wealth management firm, has acquired three firms. Each of these firms has a unique role in expanding the depth and breadth of Alera Group’s resources and national reach. Burnham... Find out more »

How Wellness Programs Improve the Bottom Line

August 28, 2018
Workplace wellness programs reduce medical costs, absenteeism and health-related productivity losses, yet many employers find it difficult to measure the success of their programs. Simply enrolling in a program or engaging in an arbitrary number of actions is not predictive of improved health... Find out more »