HIU March 2009

"The Need for Change and What It Really Means"

The fact is, our health and welfare benefits delivery system is embroiled in the most challenging time in it's history.  We are confronted with high inflation and an increasing uninsured and underinsured population.  The threat of a govenment-run, single-payer system is very real.  Ther is no question that, to survive, our health care delivery system must change.

HIU April 2009

"Getting Started with a Consultative Sale"

Right now we have the greatest opportunity in our short history to really start to take control of our destiny and do something constructive. (And,in the process, dramatically increase our revenue.) The opportunity lies not in piecing to-gether restructured product arrangements, but starting to work on some of the rootproblems and selling products to solve them. This means not only dealing with the employer, but addressing the full array of employee needs as well.

"Application of Knowledge - The Key to Consultative Selling"

This article takes a look at how to develop and maintain a good knowledgebase and develop associations necessary to provide quality consultative services to ourclients.  Application of this knowledge is essential to assist your clients in solving the long-range problems associated with health andwelfare benefits.

HIU June 2009

"The Benefit StrategiesProposal - Changing theParadigm"

To deal with the root causes of healthcare inflation and other delivery system problems, brokers must change from a "premium/product focus" to needs-based, long-range planning solutions. The purpose of a Benefit Strategies Proposal is to change the employer's benefits paradigm. To do this effectively, brokers must begin their annual review before the renewal rates are received.

HIU Sept. 2009

"Employer/Employee Benefits Partnerships: Helping Solve the Inflation Problem"

By engaging the consumer we can begin to deal with: * over-utilization * defensive medicine * the impact of an aging population * the uninsured and the under-insured * lifestyle abuses.  Benefit Partnership make this a reality.

"Preparing a Strategic Benefit Plan, "Bringing it All Together"

In order to develop a long-term strategic plan, you must be familiar with the intricacies of Section 125, HSAs, HRAs, FSAs, etc. You must also learn how they interact with the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA and state regulations.  We are not CPAs or attorneys but we are the starting point—the spearhead in the battle for the change that the health care delivery system requires.

"Defined Contribution - the Double-Edged Sword"

Product and carrier selection is important, but most experienced brokers can offer product and carrier changes to save money. The only problem is that they find themselves at square one the very next year with the next premium increase. If the premium increase is significant, the HR manager might get a directive to get competitive quotes from other brokers.

"The Genesis of the HSA"

Whatever happened to personal responsibility and accountability?  Is it dead, in a coma or just hiding?  I think it is hiding and it is our job to find it. The question, however, is: How do we do that?......  Enter the CDHC knight in shining armor with an HSA sword in hand to slay the financial dragon and rescue the beleaguered consumer.