2 min read

The Employer-Optimized Healthcare Model

By Brian Bellware on Apr 28, 2021 6:45:00 AM

Warren Buffett said, “there are two sides to every coin…price and value. Price is what you pay, and value is what you get.”

In today’s healthcare system, there is a broad range in both price and value, and unfortunately, traditional health plans do not effectively support members consistently using high-quality, affordable providers and facilities.

On the value side of the coin, there are several reputable quality measures that consistently demonstrate wide variability in safety scores, infection rates, and overall health outcomes – even between two hospitals within the same system! And the statistics on unnecessary care, overuse of testing, and misdiagnosis are staggering.

Topics: Employee Benefits Health Care Reform
3 min read

The Health Rosetta Ecosystem

By Ray Korson on Apr 21, 2021 6:45:00 AM

In 2017, legendary investor Warren Buffett famously stated, “Medical costs are the tapeworm of American economic competitiveness," indicating in no uncertain terms that rising healthcare costs are the number one problem facing American businesses. Currently, healthcare spending represents approximately 18% of America’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and nearly double per capita compared to other developed countries. To make matters worse, life expectancy is far less than that of comparable nations even after adjusting for age and non-treatable causes of death. Despite these facts, the cost of healthcare continues to rise, consistently outpacing inflation and overall economic growth. Whether you are a business owner, community leader, or industrial worker, you can relate to the pressure from rising healthcare costs and its consequences.

Topics: Employee Benefits Health Care Reform
1 min read

IRS Revises Annual Limits Due To Tax Reform Legislation

By Gibson on Mar 28, 2018 6:30:00 AM

On March 5, 2018, the IRS made several adjustments based on inflation amounts due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 tax reform) and Rev. Proc. 2018-18:

Topics: Health Care Reform
3 min read

Benefits Of An HSA

By Gibson on Feb 28, 2018 6:30:00 AM

According to Willis Towers Watson, nearly half of the employees enrolled in a qualified high deductible health plan (HDHP) in 2017, did not contribute their own money to a Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). It is important to educate employees and help them understand what an HSA is and the benefits of setting aside pretax money for qualified medical expenses.

Topics: Employee Benefits Health Care Reform
1 min read

Cadillac Tax and Health Insurance Tax Delayed

By Gibson on Jan 24, 2018 12:03:00 PM

Late Monday evening, Jan. 22, President Trump signed H.R.195 to end the government shutdown and provide funding through Feb. 8, 2018. The bill passed the House with a 266-159 vote and the Senate 81-18.

H.R. 195 doesn't simply open our government back up for business. Notably for employers and group health plans, the bill includes provisions to delay certain tax provisions within the ACA. The bill: 

Topics: Health Care Reform
2 min read

2018 HSA & HDHP Limits Announced

By Gibson on May 11, 2017 9:38:35 AM

On May 4, 2017, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2017-37 revealing dollar limits for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for 2018.

Topics: Employee Benefits Health Care Reform
3 min read

House Passes Republican ACA Replacement Plan

By Gibson on May 4, 2017 7:43:05 PM

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in an effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Act passed in the House by a vote of 217-213. After meetings with the White House and amendments to the plan in recent days, the Republican House leadership was able to secure the votes to pass this legislation.

Topics: Employee Benefits Health Care Reform
2 min read

“Obamacare is the law of the land for the foreseeable future.”

By Gibson on Mar 27, 2017 9:43:15 AM

On Friday, March 24, 2017, Republican leaders withdrew their overhaul of the nation’s health care system, commonly referred to as repeal and replace, from the House floor. What this means for employers is the employer mandate, tax reporting, measurement periods, and employee tracking remain part of our daily activities. “Obamacare is the law of the land for the foreseeable future,” said speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

Topics: Employee Benefits Health Care Reform
4 min read

You Can't Have It All

By Gibson on Feb 13, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Mike Cahill, President & CEO of Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana. We hope you enjoy Mike’s wisdom and perspective.

I was in a meeting the other day about a service my company had considered offering for a number of years. After about 10 minutes, I gave the go-ahead. One of our senior leaders mentioned they have been talking about this for a few years and had not made a decision, so why the need to move now on a decision?

My response, and one many of us should think about, is that putting off a decision is still making a decision. We must get some psychic boost from ‘putting off’ a decision versus deciding to not do anything. In the end, the results look the same. So why bring any of this up?

This country has had the same argument over health care for a long time.

Topics: Employee Benefits Health Care Reform
2 min read

ACA Update: 2016 Reporting Extensions & Looking Ahead To 2017

By Gibson on Nov 30, 2016 6:30:00 AM

Maintaining compliance is important for every organization. But it can be difficult to keep up with the changing regulations. And especially with a new president taking office soon, there are currently a lot of questions about the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and what it will mean to you as an employer.

As 2016 draws to a close, we’d like to highlight a few important updates regarding the ACA as well as considerations regarding its future.

Topics: Employee Benefits Health Care Reform