Health care reform in review – 2011
Happy New Year everyone. I hope you all had a … More Details
Health care reform timeline (updated 10/2011)
Keeping your finger on the pulse of what is happening … More Details
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate…that is the question.
Well, I am sorry to say that we are quickly approaching cold and … More Details
Health care reform reg’s for Healthcare Reimbursment Accounts (HRA’s)
Thinking about establishing an HRA for your company? Whether you … More Details
Health care reform update: New Women’s Preventive Care Language
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released … More Details
Being an educated health care consumer more important than ever.
With healthcare costs continuing to rise, it is more important than ever … More Details
Onsite health care gaining momentum
I recently read an article in Employee Benefit Adviser about … More Details
Appeals court upholds the constitutionality of the individual mandate
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an appeal by … More Details
Obesity is a problem but there are things you can do.
Obesity in America is growing at an amazing rate. Check … More Details
Why everyone needs to have some level of disability insurance
Last week, I attended a great program hosted by the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. One of the … More Details
Ah-Choo! I hate allergy season
I don’t know about you, but allergy season is difficult for me. And … More Details
Benefit statements provide a true benefit to understanding
Anyone who has talked to me about the world of employee benefits … More Details
1099 Provision of PPACA Gets Repealed…Yeah!!!!!
OK, raise your hand if you really liked the idea of having to … More Details
How do I get my employees to participate in wellness programs?
You can have the greatest wellness program in the world but if no … More Details
Voluntary benefits can truly be a benefit.
I was talking today to someone who had a voluntary accident policy. He … More Details
The value of benchmarking
I have always believed that benchmarking cost and benefit design is an essential component … More Details
Does wellness really make a difference? You bet it does!
Want a compelling reason to implement a wellness program? Just look at … More Details
Providing service beyond the numbers
“Providing service beyond the numbers” is not just a tag line but a real philosophy that we have at Tailor Made Benefit Solutions. One area where … More Details
The importance of disability insurance
I know that many people are sick and tired of the health care reform debate…I … More Details
Good overview video of health care reform
The Kaiser Family Foundation put together this nine minute video to help explain the health care reform law. The video does a good job of addressing … More Details
What is going to happen next with health care reform?
Thought you might find this interesting. According to the linked article from Employee Benefit Advisor, it looks like the health care reform debate will not end … More Details
Wellness costs too much…or does it?
There is plenty of evidence that corporate wellness programs can have a significant … More Details
Health care reform repeal & ruling updates
The links below will take you to two documents. One … More Details
Health Care Reform Ruled Unconstitutional By Florida Judge
On January 31, a Florida judge judge struck down the entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). He ruled that the individual mandate was unconstitutional. He … More Details
Deductible Trends
As we know, the cost of health care continues to rise in the US. Responding to this, employers have been raising health plan deductibles almost … More Details
What do employers think about health care reform?
There is a lot of information out there regarding health care reform on both sides of the isle. But what are employers thinking? The following … More Details
How much are health care costs going up in 2011 and what can we do about it?
We can all probably anticipate that health care costs will be increasing in 2011 but how much is the question. The average increase based on … More Details
Implications of the tax code extension for employers
On December 17, 2010, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the Tax Relief Act). The Act extends … More Details
Cell phone policy
Cell and smartphone usage continues to be a problem for employers, especially if they have employees who are on the road. Many states have enacted … More Details
HHS Issues Medical Loss Ratio Interim Rules
The Department of Health & Human Services has issued interim rules regarding the minimum medical loss ratio (MLR) that insurers must meet. The basic rule states … More Details
How are health costs effecting employer sponsored plans?
I often have people ask me how the rising cost of health care has effected employers…in other words, are businesses dropping their group coverage because … More Details
Update on Grandfathered Status
On November 15, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and the Treasury Department released an amended rule regarding health plans that … More Details
Mandates a big driver in health care costs
Health insurance mandates play a significant role in the cost of health care in Wisconsin and across the country. But how many do we really … More Details
Measure the effectiveness of wellness programs
People often ask how do you measure the effectiveness of a wellness program. The following link will take you to an article from Employee Benefit Adviser … More Details
Concerns with Salmonella
With the recent outbreak in salmonella associated with eggs, this Live Well, Work flyer is a timely piece to help employees stay healthy and safe. … More Details
Health Care Reform Employee Poster
As the days grow shorter, some of the changes related to health care reform start to approach. It is important that employees stay informed on how … More Details
Health Care Reform Open Enrollment Checklist – Helping Keep You Compliant
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has many changes that will be rolled out over the next several years. As sponsors of group health plans … More Details
August Wellness Ideas
Looking to tie into some wellness activities for the month of August? Click on the link below to learn about wellness initiatives you can promote. For … More Details
New W2 Requirements Starting 2011
Beginning with the 2011 tax year, the health care reform law requires employers to report the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage on employees’ Forms W-2. … More Details
10 Ways To Stretch Your Health Care Dollars
What can I do?
This is one of the most frequent questions I hear from individuals when it comes to controlling their health care costs. I have … More Details
Grandfathered Health Plan Regulations Released
On June 14, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Treasury issued regulations regarding grandfathered plans. Importantly, it clarifies what types … More Details
Healthcare Reform Update
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provides for the establishment of an Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP) to provide reimbursement … More Details
Health Action Network
The Health Action Network supports building a strong, sustainable private-sector health system. To learn more about this go to:
Health Insurance Company Profits – The Real Story
Health insurance companies have been demonized over the years for making obscene profits. Having worked for a number of health insurance carriers over the years, … More Details
The Health Care Reform Options and The Real Solution
Current Health Care Reform Options
A bill submitted by Democratic Montana Senator Max Baucus was recently submitted as a third alternative on the health care debate. This … More Details
What Drives Health Care Cost Increases (Final Installment)
Good afternoon everyone. I know it has been a while but I wanted to finish the overview of what is driving our health care … More Details
What Drives Health Care Cost Increases (Part II)
Hello everyone. In my last blog, I started to review what the drivers of health care cost increases are. I referenced the aging of America … More Details
What Drives Health Care Cost Increases (Part I)
Welcome to the Tailor Made Benefit Solutions web blog. The purpose of the blog is to keep you abreast of issues related to the world of employee benefits. … More Details