An analysis by FAIR Health, an independent nonprofit that reviews health and dental claims filed by individuals, shows that severe allergic reactions to foods like peanuts have increased five-fold in the past 10 years. Studies now show that as many as 8% of children have a food allergy, with nearly 40% reflecting a history of [...]
The article below was published on December 20, 2017 by BenefitsPRO, written by David Hines. Photo Source: BenefitsPRO As we head into 2018, large employers are bracing for a 5 percent rise in the cost of providing employee health care benefits, according to the latest National Business Group on Health survey. In a [...]
In a recent legislative update from SIIA, it was noted that the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) approved regulations lowering minimum stop-loss attachment points for large groups of 51 lives and above, effective in late August. This move allows the large group individual attachment points to be $20,000 per individual, reduced from [...]
This article appeared on Kaiser Family Foundation on September 19, 2017. Employer-sponsored insurance covers over half of the nonelderly population; approximately 151 million non-elderly people in total.1 To provide current information about employer-sponsored health benefits, the Kaiser Family Foundation (Kaiser) and the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) conduct an annual survey of private and [...]
This article appeared on HartfordBusiness.com on December 18, 2017 from Brooks Goodison, President of Diversified Group. Connecticut health insurers recently announced their 2018 premiums. Employers won’t like them. Rates for some small business plans will rise more than 25 percent. That follows an average increase of 5 percent last year. Many Connecticut firms are understandably [...]
The article below was published on November 28, 2017 by Healthcare Finance, written by Jeff Lagasse. Despite growth of these plans, price shopping, cost discussions with doctors are rarely happening, researchers find. Photo Source: Healthcare Finance Though more Americans are paying thousands in deductibles before the insurance coverage kicks in, a new study [...]
Operation E.L.F. (Embracing Lonely Families) was established as a gesture of support to military families who are separated during the holiday season. Supporting this movement is meant to show support of the men and women in uniform and of their families. During this season of giving, Diversified Group staff decided to support Operation E.L.F. for [...]
The article below was published on December 12, 2017 by BenefitsPRO, written by Sarah Jane Tribble. Photo source: BenefitsPro The nation’s most influential science advisory group will tell Congress today that the U.S. pharmaceutical market is not sustainable and needs to change. “Drugs that are not affordable are of little value and drugs that [...]
We often hear of professional athletes succeeding under pressure by staying “in the moment” and remaining focused on the things that are within their control. This challenge can be applied to the uncomfortable position all of us find ourselves in today – somewhere between complying with existing laws and anticipating the unknowns coming from Washington. [...]
With time running out on an opportunity for Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and open enrollment season approaching, thousands of small and mid-sized businesses are likely bracing for another round of premium increases. A growing number of employers, however, will choose to avoid the uncertainty plaguing traditional group insurance markets by [...]
