Don’t leave us out, insurance agents tell legislators

by Eriksen Insurance | Sep 16, 2011 | Health Insurance Cost, Insurance Reform

My Suburban Life reports: “Insurance industry officials urged state lawmakers Thursday to let independent insurance agents help clients purchase coverage through Illinois’ future health-benefits exchange. Several said it also would be a good idea for the...

Health care expansion to cost Illinois, study finds

by Eriksen Insurance | Sep 7, 2011 | Health Insurance Cost, Health Laws, Heath Care Costs, Illinois Health Insurance, Insurance Reform

CarmiTimes.com reports: “Expanding Illinois’ Medicaid program under the federal health-care reform law will cost the state $1.3 billion a year in 2020 and beyond, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Rand Corp. The annual cost is at least six times higher...

Savings power of HSAs appears to wane

by Eriksen Insurance | Sep 1, 2011 | Health Insurance Cost

Indianapolis Insurance Journal reports: “As consumer-directed health plans become more prevalent, their power to save money for employers is waning, according to the latest survey by Indianapolis-based United Benefit Advisors, a network of health insurance...

The individual mandate cheatsheet

by Eriksen Insurance | Sep 1, 2011 | Health Laws, Insurance Reform

Benifits Pro reports: “From the time President Obama signed the Patient Protection and AffordableCare Act, one of the most controversial components of the law was the individual mandate. This provision requires every American who can afford insurance coverage to...

Majority of Large Employers Revamping Health Benefit Programs for 2012, National Business Group on Health Survey Finds

by Eriksen Insurance | Aug 24, 2011 | Health Insurance Cost, Heath Care Costs

National Business Group on Health reports: “Employers Projecting Costs to Increase 7.2% Next Year; Nearly Two-Thirds Expect to Increase Employee Share of Premiums WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2011 — With the cost of employee health care benefits expected to...