Planned Administrators Inc. and BCS Insurance Company Launch Educational Podcast SeriesInsurance brokers, HR executives listen and learn with industry's first podcast series -- educational program offers new insights into emerging limited benefits market.
GroupLink Launches myGroupLink; Online Portal Provides 24/7 Access to Dental Plan InformationGroupLink, a member company of Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC), today announced the launch of myGroupLink, a comprehensive online portal which provides a fast, simple and secure way for brokers, employers, providers and employees to submit and obtain the information necessary to effectively manage and service dental plans.
Iowa and Nebraska Health Care Costs Increase in 2007Seventy-two percent of companies in Iowa and Nebraska had a health insurance premium increase, according to the Compensation Data 2007 – Iowa/Nebraska annual survey of 221 employers.
INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND DESTINY HEALTH ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND DESTINY HEALTH ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER THE DESTINY HEALTH EMPOWERMENT PLAN(TM) FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Selects Dresner Corporate Services for Investor RelationsUniversal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (AMEX: UVE), a vertically integrated insurance holding company, has selected Dresner Corporate Services, Inc., a strategic communications agency, to provide it with investor relations counsel.
Newest release includes industry leading reporting capability and advanced recruiter productivity Talent Technology Corporation, an award-winning provider of recruitment technology, today announced the latest release of its HireDesk Staffing and HireDesk Corporate edition products.
Diversified Group Administrators Selects MphasiS Healthcare Solutions JackRabbit Reporting Diversified Group Administrators Selects MphasiS Healthcare Solutions JackRabbit Reporting for Real-Time Web Access to Reports
American Community Introduces Medalist II(TM), an Affordable PPO Health Insurance Plan American Community Mutual Insurance Company, a leading provider of Individual and Group health insurance, announced today of the addition of Medalist II(TM), a new affordable health insurance plan for individuals and families in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio. The new product is available in these states for effective dates of July 1, 2007. It will also be introduced in Arizona, Illinois and Missouri later this summer.
Health Fitness Corporation, applauds the move by the HHS Secretary Health Fitness Corporation (OTC BB: HFIT), a leading provider of fitness and health management services, applauds the move by the HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to assemble the nation’s top experts in physical activity to advise the federal government and write the first national guidelines focusing on physical activity.
A.M. Best Reaffirms American Community Mutual Insurance Company’s B+ financial ratingThe Best Rating is a nationally recognized, independent third-party opinion, based on a comprehensive evaluation of a company’s balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Employees Achieve Impressive Quit Rates BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Employees Achieve Impressive Quit Rates with the Free & Clear® Quit For Life™ Program
FIRST ADVANTAGE ANNOUNCES HMS SIGNATURE SERVICEStreamlined approach to professional and technical services enables customers to maximize use of First Advantage talent acquisition and applicant tracking system
NATIONAL BUSINESS GROUP ON HEALTH HONORS BEST EMPLOYERS FOR HEALTHY LIFESTYLES 41 Employers Recognized for Promoting Healthy Workplaces
American Community Mutual Insurance Company, announced today the following appointmentsAmerican Community Mutual Insurance Company, a leading provider of Individual and Group health insurance, announced today the following appointments, effective immediately
Workplace Options Sponsors the Workplace Benefits Association’s Benefits Renaissance MeetingWPO to Present Benefits Strategies That Help Companies Develop An Engaged and Committed Workforce
BeneTrac Honored with eHealthcare Leadership AwardsBenefits administration software provider recognized with three coveted eHealthcare Leadership Awards
MphasiS Healthcare Solutions Launches HEALTHpac FusionBundled Software And Services Program Simplifies Process & Pricing For Healthcare Payers
States Plan to Cover Kids Under New Health PlansHealth insurance costs continue to rise, and both employers and employees are feeling the pinch. According to the Compensation Data annual survey of more than 5,300 employers, 41.2 percent of families can expect to pay over $250 for their monthly health insurance premiums.
Mercer's 2007 Guide to Social Security and Medicare now available35th edition provides simple explanations with easy-reference tables
Study Finds Most Respected U.S. Companies Make Widespread Use of Nonqualified Retirement PlansThe Todd Organization, Leading Nationwide Executive Benefits Consulting Firm, Reviews Practices at 276 Companies in Eight Broad Economic Sectors
Travis Software Corp., announced today the availability of WebCOBRA.com's January '07 upgrade.The new version offers more enhanced features, including a WebAPI service, bulk mailing and additional reports and options.
TotalCompBuilder.com Helps Employers Communicate the Full Value of Employees’ Compensation On-demand software solution helps employers improve staff morale, increase productivity and retain top performers
TotalCompBuilder.com Helps Employers Communicate the Full Value of Employees’ Compensation and BenefOn-demand software solution helps employers improve staff morale, increase productivity and retain top performers
Zywave Offers Free White Paper: 'Top Six Advantages of an Agency Management System' for Insurance BrThis new report explains how a good agency management system is an investment in agency growth, and increasingly provides a competitive advantage in the insurance broker world.
TotalCompBuilder.com Helps Employers Communicate the Full Value of Employees’ Compensation Packages
On-demand software solution helps employers improve staff morale, increase productivity and retain top performers
Utica National Insurance Group Deploys GeoLearning’s Hosted LMS & Talent Management Suite Leading property and casualty insurance company selects the GeoMaestro™ LMS and integrated talent management suite to align training and performance management.
Principal Financial Group Opens New Wellness Office in Reading, PennsylvaniaThe Principal Financial Groupâ announces the opening of a new office in Reading, Pa.
Reduce Prescription Plan Costs with PBM TransparencyPrescription drug benefits are one of the most valued employee benefits available, but costs hidden by the prescription benefits manager (PBM) make it a costly offering for many employers. To help Texas employers avoid unnecessary costs and negotiate favorable contracts with their PBM, Grizzaffi Darby, one of the largest benefits' consultant teams in Texas, offers Reducing Prescription Plan Costs: The need for cost transparency from PBMs.
BeneTrac Eases Physician Selection with New Feature That Enhances Benefits ManagementBeneTrac presents carrier database within software to reduce errors, speed doctor selection
BenefitsCheckUp Helps Brighten Seniors' HolidaysThanks to the National Council on Aging's (NCOA) BenefitsCheckUp®, a free and confidential online service that helps seniors determine what benefits they qualify for and how to claim them, older Americans can receive a gift that lasts the entire year - savings on their prescription drugs, health care, in-home services, utilities, and more.
Executive Summary: The Quality of LifeBy global standards, the U.S. has a high quality of life and a social safety net that includes programs such as unemployment compensation, welfare and Social Security.
Executive Summary: Healthcare BenefitsIn the U.S., the pressure of rising healthcare costs has become excruciating for employers and employees alike. Double-digit increases in the cost of health care have been the trend for the past five years, and even some recent good news has a downside.
DOW CHEMICAL COMMITS TO U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES' PRINCIPLES OF HEALTH CARE The Dow Chemical Company's Chairman and CEO, Andrew Liveris, has signed a company-wide commitment to the four principles of health care transparency proposed by U.S.
Enclarity Selected by CorVel for NPI Crosswalk, Provider Data Accuracy andIntegrationNationally known company contracts for Enclarity's crosswalking and dataintegration solutions for its group health and workers' compensation operations
Zywave Insurance Technology Now More than 600 Brokers StrongThe successful pairing of insurance knowledge and innovative technology
have resulted in more than 600 partners nationwide who utilize Zywave
technology to grow their business through differentiation and value-add
service.
Employees gain 24x7 access to healthcare account funds with CDHpacMphasiS Healthcare Solutions Integrates Consumer-Directed Healthcare Product with Core Health Benefits Management Solution
Clark Capital Management Group Introduces The Navigator Simplified401(k)First Managed Account Defined Contribution Plan to offerinstitutional protection strategies in conjunction with "Best ofBreed" money managers
Zywave Offers Most Competitive PBM Pricing with Latest National AgreementIn the world of rising drug costs and complicated pharmacy programs, Zywave now offers one of the most competitive programs for insurance brokers due to a recent expansion of their network base. Brokers can further strengthen their client offering through some of the best PBM pricing available in the market.
Biophysical Launches Biophysical250 Corporate ProgramWellness program monitors health of companies’ top executives
SURVEY OF HR EXECUTIVES SHOWS FEW EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THEIR COMPENSATION PACKAGEStudy Results Indicate That Effectiveness of Communication
Helps Determine Value
Employers Use HRA Plans to Reimburse Individual Health Insurance & Save 50% over Group RatesEmployers all over the country are rushing to HRA Plans to reduce the high cost of providing health benefits to their employees. Historically January is when most employers establish a new HRA Plan year.
Kaiser Permanente Wins Kudos for Corporate Legal Department's Diversity EffortsKaiser Permanente's corporate law department has been recognized by two distinguished legal organizations for its outstanding efforts in promoting diversity.
Increasing Number of Employers Favor Watson Wyatt’s Outsourcing SolutionsWhen it comes to outsourcing HR technology,more companies are embracing a selective approach rather than exclusivelyrelying on a single provider, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading globalconsulting firm, has found.
Secova Powered by Ultralink to Deliver Final Webinar in its 2006 SeriesSecova powered by UltraLink, a leading provider of human resource and benefits management services, today announced the final webinar in its 2006 series entitled, “Maximizing Total Compensation as a Recruiting and Retention Tool” scheduled for Tuesday, December 5th at 12:00 pm PST. Company’s Chief of Client Consulting To Present New Webinar Following Successful Presentations at Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Conferences
KMG America’s MOMM wears many hatsKMG America Corporation introduces MOMM, which stands for Maximized Outcome Medical Management.
MAJORITY OF CLAIMANTS ON LONG TERM CARE UNDER 65, UNUMPROVIDENT STUDY SHOWSLTC insurance leader uncovers data regarding the under-65 insured population and long term care needs
CHARLSON JOINS THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUPMIDWEST REGION BUSINESS CENTERThe Principal Financial Groupâ announces Angela Charlson has joined its Midwest Region Business Center.
China HR and Recruiting Issues Webcast: November 15, 2006 The pace of change in China has continued to accelerate.
Benefit Software Inc. Names Heather Bechtol to Head Printed Benefit Statement Small and medium-sized businesses depend on team’s expertise to produce professional high-impact benefit statements that communicate and differentiate the value of employer-paid benefits.
THE JACOBSON GROUP EXPANDS ITS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TEAM Significant client response to Jacobson Solutions – Subject Matter Experts has led to the creation of two roles within The Jacobson Group.
Human Capital Institute and Towers Perrin Announce AgreementThe Human Capital Institute (HCI), a global professional association and educator in talent management strategies, and Towers Perrin, a global professional services firm, announced today that Towers Perrin has become a global underwriter of HCI, helping to bring the latest human capital education, metrics, and tools to leading corporations.
Survey Shows Rising Healthcare Costs Hurting Household Savings The Principal Financial Group Underwrites 2006 EBRI Health Confidence Survey
American Community Introduces Affordable Health Insurance Options American Community Mutual Insurance Company has introduced two new consumer-choice health insurance plans for employer groups, families and individuals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska, designed to make health insurance more affordable.
THE JACOBSON GROUP EXPANDS BOARD OF ADVISORS WITH APPOINTMENT OF NANCY L. LEAMING Due to significant growth, The Jacobson Group is expanding its Board of Advisors.
ARAG® Helps More than Ten Million Aetna Members Easily Secure Their FuturesARAG®, a leading legal services provider, announced today an enhanced business relationship that enables Aetna Group Life policyholders to simplify their lives with direct access to legal resources.
NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp Now Allows Automatic Filing for Medicare Extra Help and Other Needed BenefitsThe National Council on Aging (NCOA) has added a new feature to its Web-based BenefitsCheckUp service that could assist several million people who are eligible for but have not enrolled in the Extra Help benefit available through Medicare's Prescription Drug Coverage (also known as Part D). The new service, available at www.benefitscheckup.org, could be especially helpful to the more than 630,000 who were "deemed eligible" in the first Medicare Part D enrollment period, but who have recently lost their eligibility for the low income subsidy and must now apply for it.
China HR WebcastWith its rapidly expanding economy, China has continued to be a hotspot for manufacturing products at lower costs.
Article Explains How to Bring Health and Productivity Management Theory to Street LevelHPM Bootcamp founder prescribes actionable steps for employers to implement innovative techniques and methodologies involving HPM.
CTI Receives Second Annual Nod as One of Canada's Top 100 Employers, and One of Saskatchewan's Top 10CTI (Cronus Technologies Inc.), the developer of cfactorTM human resource and business process software, announced that, for the second year in a row, it has been selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and one of Saskatchewan's Top 10 Employers.
HEALTH ADVOCATE: A REMEDY FOR HEALTHCARE CONFUSIONHealthNow New York is the nation´s first health insurance plan to embed advocacy service for its entire membership
Chubb Adds Identity Travel Assistance Services to Business Travel Accident PoliciesThe Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, through an alliance with Identity Theft 911, is now offering a range of services to help mitigate the disruptions and financial expenses policyholders´ employees may face following the theft, loss or destruction of sensitive information. One of these services, Identity Travel Assistance 911, is being provided on a complimentary basis to Chubb business travel accident policyholders.
HEALTH ADVOCATE: A REMEDY FOR HEALTHCARE CONFUSIONHealthNow New York is the nation´s first health insurance plan to embed advocacy service for its entire membership
Benefit White Paper Explores Plan DifferencesGrizzaffi Darby provides CFOs with benefit planning information - Grizzaffi Darby, one of the largest benefits providers in Texas, recently released a white paper entitled "Self-Funding Plans: The devil is in the details". This white paper offers HR professionals and CFOs the information they need to accurately evaluate self-funded, fully funded, self-insured and fully insured benefit plans to make the best choice for the company.
PDS Partners with Burning Glass Technologies Offering Resume Parsing as Part of its Vista HR, Payroll & Benefits SolutionPDS today announced its partnership with Burning Glass Technologies to offer resume parsing as part of its Vista HRMS as well as resume search and match capabilities as add-on functionality. This new offering will enable Vista clients to dramatically reduce the time and expense of processing inbound resumes and matching candidates and open positions.
HRmarketer.com to Announce Expanded Marketing PR and SEO Services at HR Technology ExpoHRmarketer.com, the premier Marketing PR and media visibility service for the human resource industry, will showcase expanded marketing and PR services at the 2006 HR Technology Expo in Chicago, Ill. on October 4-5. The company is exhibiting at the event and can be visited at space #9.
Work and Family Month Underscores Importance of Work-Life Effectiveness"Reducing the conflict between work and family life should be a national priority." - Senate Resolution 210, passed unanimously, September 5, 2003. The growing need to achieve work-life effectiveness has become a public concern on the national level.
Mark arian Has joined THE GLOBAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT consulting Practice of towers perrinMr. Arian joins Towers Perrin with more than 20 years experience in change management consulting.
4myBenefits Partners with Business & Legal ReportsLeading vendor of online benefits communications unveils powerful new compliance system to members.
Accurate Background, Inc.Leading vendor of online benefits communications unveils powerful new compliance system to members.
Alan Shiffer will address the reduction of paper processes through technologyConcero Technology, leading provider of proprietary employee benefits insurance portals, announced today that CEO Alan Shiffer has been selected to speak at the International Foundation´s 52nd Annual Employer Benefits Convention in Las Vegas on October 10.
Concero Technology CEO to Speak at IFEB Annual ConventionAlan Shiffer will address the reduction of paper processes through technology.
Psichometrics InternationalNetPEO, the country´s leading HR outsourcing brokerage firm and network of national PEO providers, announces the re-launch of its website, www.NetPEO.com. The new site was redesigned to be easy to navigate and to help clients find the resources they need more quickly than ever before.
Buck Consultants Survey Indicates Slower Trend in Health Care Costs for EmployersThe increases for most health care coverages are slowing, according to a national survey of insurers and administrators released today by Buck Consultants.
Hyatt Legal Plans Receives "Standard of Excellence" WebAwardfor Outstanding Achievement in Web Site DevelopmentAccording to the Web Marketing Association, WebAward 2006 entries were judged according to seven criteria: design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copywriting and ease of use.
Health Insurance: Good News, Bad NewsAccording to a recently released survey of more than 5,300 employers in the United States, the average health insurance premium increased by 11.6 percent this past year, which is down from 12.3 percent last year and 14.7 percent in 2004.
WorldatWork Elects 2007 Board of DirectorsAmerican Express SVP Margaret Gagliardi is Chair-Elect
Companies Offering Online Health Coaching Services to Employees Reduce Health Care Costs by 23 PercentOnline health coaching from Hummingbird Coaching Services provides a cost reduction of 23% in health care for one employer, equivalent to a return on investment of $5.50 for every dollar spent. Online health coaching makes a personal connection between the client and one coach, creating real behavior change for the client and increased productivity and lower health care costs for the employer.
Scripps Health named to 100 Best Company list by Working Mother magazineAnnual initiative honors women/family-friendly benefits and policies
TriNet Offers Benefits Coverage Options to Companies Affected by PacAdvantage´s Withdrawal from the MarketPacAdvantage customers can replace current plans with rich offerings from the many of the same carriers such as Blue Shield, Health Net, and Kaiser.
The disability disconnect: workersill-prepared to manage disruption in incomeUnumProvident research points to lack of knowledge about financial risk
MOST SEE NEW DISCLOSURE RULES HAVING LITTLE IMPACTON EXECUTIVE PAYWatson Wyatt Poll Finds Very Few CompaniesAre Planning to Change Compensation Programs
The Principal Financial Group Introduces Principal Trust CompanyNew Trade Name Replaces Trustar Retirement Services
On Point Staffing Expands Presence in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with New Office in PlanoOn Point Staffing, a full-service staffing, contingency workforce, payroll and benefits services company, opened offices in Plano, Texas this week marking their long-term commitment to the growing Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex business community. Headquartered in Campbell, California, On Point Staffing has served local Dallas/Fort Worth electronics, light industrial and semiconductor manufacturers remotely for the last five years.
Hewitt Associates and Löneanalyser join forces to create comprehensive HR consulting capability in Nordic regionHewitt Associates, a global human resources services company, has announced that it is merging with Löneanalyser, Sweden´s leading compensation consultancy, to create Hewitt Löneanalyser AB.
The Principal Financial Group Waives Health Savings Account FeesEncouraging new participation, consumer driven health care is now more affordable
Senior Living Industry Wages Rise by 3.8%WageWatch, Inc., (http://www.WageWatch.com ) the leading online compensation and benefits survey company, announced today that its second annual national Senior Living Compensation Survey of Continuing Care Centers, Assisted Living Facilities, Nursing Homes, Hospice, and Home Care, indicates that wages for 54 key jobs increased nationwide by an average of 3.8% over 2005. More than 1900 facilities participated in the survey.
Employee Self-Service Facilitates HR Strategic RoleTime, cost savings possible with quality Employee Self-Service software solution.
Concero Technology Scores Experienced Taft-Hartley Consultant in Gary CaseCase to accelerate adoption of ePR.Live.
Nurse Anesthetists Seek Flexibility, Financial Rewards: Recruiting Firm Survey Shows Most CRNAs Would Repeat Career ChoiceCRNAs (certified registered nurse anesthetists) enjoy flexibility and generous compensation, according to survey results released today by recruiting firm LocumTenens.com. Seventy-one percent (71%) of the 417 full- and part-time CRNAs responding to the recruiting firm's recent on-line questionnaire said they have worked as a locum tenens (temporary) anesthesia provider, while another 28% said they would consider it. Based on its 2006 survey, LocumTenens.com pegs the average annual U.S. nurse anesthetist salary at $164,172, a 10% increase over the 2005 average of $149,147.
MphasiS Healthcare Solutions Introduces Roadrunner, Allowing Real-Time Web Access to Reports MphasiS Healthcare Solutions, a provider of health benefit management and business process outsourcing (BPO) services to healthcare payers, introduced its new Roadrunner reporting solution for generating real-time reports from the company´s HEALTHpac and CSIpac systems.
The Principal Financial Group Announces New Vice President - National AccountsThe Principal Financial Group ® announces Chris Calos has been named vicepresident of the company´s National Accounts Division. Calos responsibilities will include overseeing theself-funded health insurance business.
A.M. Best has again assigned a financial strength rating of B+ (very good) to American Community Mutual Insurance Company, a leading provider of individual and group health insurance.Best Rating is a nationally recognized, independent third-party opinion, based on a comprehensive evaluation of a company´s balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile.
BRMS and ACE American Insurance Company Partner to Bring Health Insurance to the Working UninsuredPartnering with ACE American Insurance Company, Benefit & Risk Management Services (BRMS) is launching a new mini-med plan to help employers offer employee benefits to the working uninsured.
A new study shows that public sentiment is shifting towards acceptance of higher health insurance rates for people with unhealthy lifestyles.Right now, large employers and their health care consulting firms are refining a benefit design strategy for 2007 and sourcing vendors to fulfill their requirements.
Workers Reveal Biggest Retirement ConcernsAsked to predict their single biggest concern once they've retired, workers cite money and health as their top contenders while relatively few say they'll worry about being alone, according to the latest online poll from LifeCare ®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty health services provider and a longtime pioneer in the work/life industry.
Public Attitude Shifts in Favor of Employer Incentives to Change Employee Health BehaviorLooking for someone to help make the change? Five things you need to know.
Alta California Regional Center Announces Phil Bonnet as New Executive DirectorAlta California Regional is non-profit corporation that creates and maintains partnerships to support all persons with developmental disabilities, children at risk, and their families in choosing services and supports through individual lifelong planning to achieve satisfying lifestyles in their own communities.
OnlineBenefits Unveils Benefits Podcasts for Public ConsumptionCompany uses emerging media to communicate on timely topics
A.M. Best Reaffirms American Community´s B+ RatingA.M. Best has again assigned a financial strength rating of B+ (very good) to American Community Mutual Insurance Company, a leading provider of individual and group health insurance.
Statewide Benefits Survey Targets 1,000 Human Resource ProfessionalsSurvey to report on how Indiana companies compare when it comes to employee benefits