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Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc
 
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News & Events

  • While the U.S. Spends Heavily on Health Care, a Study Faults the Quality
    American medical care may be the most expensive in the world, but that does not mean it is worth every penny. A study to be released Thursday highlights the stark contrast between what the United States spends on its health system and the quality of care it delivers, especially when compared with many other industrialized nations. . .

  • In a Ruling On Benefits, Justices Aid The Worker
    Employees whose benefits claims are denied are entitled to a fuller day in court than they tend to get now, the United States Supreme Court decided Thursday, in a case that examined the conflicts of interest underlying most benefits decisions. . .

  • Kaiser Endorses Microsoft's Health Records Plan
    Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest nonprofit health maintenance organization, is endorsing the drive toward consumer-controlled personal health records in a partnership with Microsoft. . .

  • Insurers Expand Use of Doctor Rankings, Concept Spreading Despite Lawsuit
    Health plans that rate doctors individually are spreading beyond the state's Group Insurance Commission, despite the Massachusetts Medical Society's opposition to the ranking systems. . .

  • Massachusetts Health Care Reform: Two Years Later
    (PDF Format)

  • Massachusetts: Triple Damages Now Mandated for Wage and Hour Violations
    On April 14, 2008, the treble (triple) damages bill (Senate Bill 1059) became law. This new law makes awards of triple damages mandatory for prevailing plaintiffs in civil actions brought pursuant to the Massachusetts wage and hour laws. . .

  • Kaiser Family Foundation, Wages and Benefits: A Long-Term View
    Recent polls show that a substantial portion of families worry about whether their incomes will keep pace with rising prices generally and whether they will have to pay more for health care or health insurance. . . Read more

  • Health Plans Put Onus on Insured
    Let the patient beware. Going outside your insurer’s network of preferred doctors or hospitals could be even more hazardous to your financial health than you suspected. . .

  • EOS Foundation Pledges $15M to Launch Boston Rising Initiative
    The Eos Foundation, based in Harwich Port, which focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty by investing in children’s futures, recently pledged $15 million over five years to combat poverty in the Boston area. . .

  • Diabetes Study Partially Halted After Deaths
    For decades, researchers believed that if people with diabetes lowered their blood sugar to normal levels, they would no longer be at high risk of dying from heart disease. But a major federal study of more than 10,000 middle-aged and older people with Type 2 diabetes has found that lowering blood sugar actually increased their risk of death, researchers reported Wednesday. . .

  • Subsidized care plan's cost to double
    The subsidized insurance program at the heart of the state's healthcare initiative is expected to roughly double in size and expense over the next three years - an unexpected level of growth that could cost state taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars or force the state to scale back its ambitions. . .

  • Group Offers Doctors Bonuses for Better Care
    In an ambitious effort to shore up U.S. primary-care medicine, a coalition including General Electric Co., International Business Machines Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. is launching an initiative to pay doctors hefty bonuses for creating "medical homes" for patients. . .

  • Law puts Blue Cross on offensive
    Insurer fighting to hang on to union, municipal business. . .

  • Harvard Pilgrim ranked top health plan in nation
    The Red Sox and Patriots aren't the only Massachusetts winners this fall. . .

  • Kaiser Family Foundation
    Kaiser Family Foundation, News Release, September 11, 2007

  • The chronic cost of chronic diseases
    CHRONIC HEALTH conditions such as cancer, mental illness, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes extract a terrible human cost. . .

  • Scrutiny For Insurers Of the Aged
    The top-ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee has asked 11 long-term care insurance companies to explain “troubling data” regarding how policyholders’ claims are handled and paid. . .

  • Look Who's Watching Your Health Expenses
    Employers Increasingly Turn to 'Care Managers' to Control Medical Costs, but Some Wonder if Patients Always Benefit. . .

  • Workers Penalized On Issues of Health
    First they tried nudging. Now companies are penalizing workers who have high health risks such as obesity and high blood pressure or cholesterol as insurance costs climb. . .

  • Commonwealth Connector August Update
    The Connector released important new policy information. Final regulations or administrative bulletins for these changes should be released within the next weeks. Summary of the changes are...

  • Massachusetts Governor Signs ID Theft Bill
    Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on Aug. 3, 2007, signed a comprehensive identity theft bill that requires businesses and governments to notify consumers—and employees—when their data is lost or stolen.

  • Yozell Associates Seminar
    Yozell Associates Presents Massachusetts Health Care Reform and The Steps Employers Need to Follow In Order To Comply

  • Incentives Limit Any Savings in Treating Cancer
    When Medicare cracked down two years ago on profits that doctors made on drugs they administered to patients in their offices, it ended a windfall worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for each physician. . .

  • What's driving the high cost of health care in New England?
    Why is our region affected more than other parts of the country? This troublesome question is frequently asked by brokers, employers and consumers alike...Read Harvard Pilgrim's white paper on the rising cost of health care in New England.

  • Massachusetts Health Care Reform Employee Communication and FAQs
    Massachusetts Health Care Reform Employee Communication and FAQs

  • Massachusetts Healthcare Reform Special Open Enrollment
    We are sending this update to you in response to a recent offer by both Harvard Pilgrim and Blue Cross Blues Shield of Massachusetts to allow their employer groups to hold special open enrollments for July 2007. . .

  • Abolishing the Middlemen Won’t Make Health Care a Free Lunch
    Proponents of single-payer national health insurance note that private health insurance has overhead costs of 10 to 25 percent of expenditures. Medicare, by contrast, has overhead costs of about 2 to 3 percent, and socialized European health care systems generally have low overhead costs as well. That is why single-payer supporters claim that we can save money by substituting government for private insurance. But this would shift overhead costs, not reduce them. . .

  • Ongoing Massachusetts Healthcare Reform Legislation
    In our ongoing effort to keep you informed with the Massachusetts Health Care Reform legislation, the following is a brief summary and status of the key provisions contained in the new Massachusetts law. . .

  • Insurers Slice Rates On Health Premiums
    Governor Deval Patrick yesterday unveiled significantly lower prices for the health insurance plans that uninsured residents will be required to buy starting July 1. . .

  • Business Week Cover Story
    Inside one company's all-out attack on medical costs. . .

  • Those Multiple Choices In Long-Term Care Policies
    INSURANCE, they say, is one product you can’t buy when you need it most. When it comes to coverage for long-term care, however, a myriad of choices makes even timely buying a daunting process. . .

  • Insurance Law Far From Cure
    Nine months has been time enough to give birth to a new state bureaucracy but not nearly long enough to deliver affordable healthcare to the uninsured in Massachusetts. . .

  • Providers In Pinch On Health Reform
    The state's landmark healthcare reform, which seeks to provide universal health insurance coverage, is creating an unexpected financial crisis for many clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers. . .

  • Massachusetts Health Care Reform: Extension of Dependent Coverage
    We want to provide you with an update to our seminar last June on the provisions contained in the Massachusetts Health Reform Act. Most of the provisions will have an impact on employers with between 11 and 50 full time employees. As we learn of specifics in the law we continue to post updates to our website. However, many details behind this legislation have yet to be determined. . .

  • Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Advisory, Mintz Levin
    The Massachusetts Legislature recently passed, and Governor Romney recently signed, a technical corrections measure—Chapter 324 of the Acts of 2006, An Act Relative to Health Care Access—which makes certain important changes to the Massachusetts health-care reform act (the “Act”). . .

  • CDHP, High Deductible Plan Growth Virtually Stalled in 2006
    December 8, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A new study has found that the growth of consumer directed health plans (CDHPs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) came to a virtual standstill in 2006. . .

  • Survey: 3 of Top 4 Health Plans In Nation Are In Mass.
    If you're going to get sick, do it in Massachusetts. . . The state boasts three of the country's top four health plans, according to rankings being released today by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a respected Washington nonprofit. . .

  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is the #1 Health Plan in the Nation For The Second Year In a Row
    Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is the #1 health plan in America again according to a joint ranking by U.S. News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). . .

  • Final Regulations Implementing the Massachusetts Fair Share
    The recently enacted Massachusetts health care reform act—H.4850, An Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care (the “Act”)—imposes new health insurance mandates on both individuals and employers. The employer mandates include a “fair share” premium contribution requirement under which an employer with 11 or more full-time equivalent employees in the Commonwealth must either (i) make a “Fair and Reasonable Premium Contribution” to the health insurance costs of its employees, or (ii) pay to the Commonwealth an annual per employee “fair share” employer contribution of up to $295. A final regulation (the “final regulation”) issued September 8, 20061 provides guidance on what constitutes a “Fair and Reasonable Premium Contribution” on the part of an employer. The fair share requirement takes effect October 1, 2006.

  • Health Care Costs Rise Twice as Much as Inflation
    The cost of living keeps going up, but the cost of healthy living is going up even faster. . .

  • When Employees Pay for Health Care, The Boss Pays Too
    Last year Russ Moore Transmission Inc. adopted a health-insurance plan in tune with the "consumer driven" philosophy President Bush has been touting. The plan requires employees to pay as much as $5,250 a year in medical costs out of their own money before insurance kicks in, with the goal of turning them into savvy shoppers for doctors and drugs. . .

  • Ongoing Massachusetts Health Reform Legislation
    The state Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) adopted 114.5 CMR 16.00: Determination of Employer Fair Share Contribution, which becomes effective on October 1, 2006.

  • Workers Ill-Prepared To Manage Disability Income Needs
    American workers are in the dark about managing their income if they are unable to work due to a disability, says a new UnumProvident and Harris Interactive poll of 1,700 U.S. adults . . .

  • Medical Insurance Hikes Loom in Massachusetts. . . Will be 7th year in row of double-digit increases
    The state's four major health insurers plan premium increases of more than 10 percent for most of their insurance products in 2007, the seventh consecutive year of double-digit hikes. . .

  • Medicare Drug Benefit 101
    Massachusetts’ based employers will be learning more about the Commonwealth’s efforts to introduce some type of Healthcare Reform . . .

  • Healthcare Premiums Set For State's Uninsured
    Uninsured lower-income Massachusetts residents who earn just enough to escape poverty will pay about $18 a month for coverage under the state's new health insurance law, while those who make more will pay up to about $106. . .

  • Long Term Care / Voluntary Benefits
    As employee benefits costs consume a larger percentage of the total salary and compensation budget dollars, employee morale and employee retention performance plummet . . .

  • Massachusetts Seeks to Mandate Health Coverage
    Bill Would Penalize Citizens Who Don't Buy Insurance; Business Fears Higher Costs. . .

  • Health Plans Post Strong Results For 2005
    Health plans post strong results for 2005 Most nonprofits in state report earnings growth. . .

  • Healthcare Reform
    Massachusetts’ based employers will be learning more about the Commonwealth’s efforts to introduce some type of Healthcare Reform . . .

  • Healthcare Savings Vehicles
    The continued high price of healthcare for both employers and employees, coupled with the increased utilization of medical services in 2005, will force more employers to consider introducing Health Savings Vehicles . . .

  • Prognosis Is Mixed for Health Savings
    President Bush has made "consumer-directed" health savings plans a cornerstone of his policy . . .

  • Tufts Health Faces Enrollment Test
    Amid rising costs, HMO's chief must make good on vow for a turnaround. . .

  • Healthcare Premiums to Leap Again
    Most Massachusetts companies and their workers will get hit with increases in their health insurance premiums of 10 percent or more beginning next year, according to the state's largest insurers. . .

  • PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. to merge with UnitedHealth Group
    PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. to merge with UnitedHealth Group

  • UnumProvident: Health Care Cost Shifting Makes Supplemental Health Plans Essential
    During a time of aggressive cost shifting in group medical plans, 100% employee-pay supplemental health benefits are emerging as an effective cost management tool . . .

  • A Bonus for Health, Payable to the Doctor
    Medicare Tests Incentive Pay As a Way to Cut Costs . . .

  • Yozell Associates Presents A Two-Part Seminar on ConnectEdu & Health Savings Accounts
    Yozell Associates is pleased to announce a new venture with ConnectEdu, a unique education benefit.

  • Is Spitzer Preparing Marsh, Act II?
    Is Spitzer Preparing Marsh, Act II? -Like the universe itself, corporate chicanery just seems to keep on expanding...

  • Companies Get Tough With Smokers, Obese To Trim Costs
    . . .For years, corporations have tried to rein in their health costs by sweet-talking employees into changing their lifestyle. . .

  • Rising Cost of Health Benefits Cited as Factor in Slump of Jobs
    ... as factor in slump of jobs ...

  • Employers cutting domestic partner benefits after gay weddings
    . . .Now that it's about to be legal for same-sex couples to marry, some Massachusetts employers are eliminating domestic partner benefits offered to gay workers. . .

  • Health plans set care surcharges
    . . .Much the way health plans now charge consumers extra for brand-name medicines, insurers are adopting "tiered" hospital and doctor networks. . .

  • How Cuts in Retiree Benefits Fatten Companies' Bottom Lines
    . . .Trimming a Health-Care Plan Creates Accounting Gains, Under Some Arcane Rules A Shield Against Rising Costs. . .

  • Companies Limit Health Coverage of Many Retirees
    . . .growing number of companies saying that retirees can retain coverage only if they are willing to bear the full cost themselves. . .

  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Reports Quarterly Operating Income of $15.8 Million
    . . .Membership continues to grow; service and quality receive accolades. . .

  • Blues to cut rate hikes
    . . .Health insurer cites rising profits, reserves. . .

  • Workers Feel Pinch of Rising Health Costs
    . . .companies shifting medical costs on to workers who make the heaviest use of medical services. . .

  • Breaking News from Blue Cross
    . . .Lower Premium Rate Increases for Small Business Customers. . .

  • Employers Push Health Insurers To Get Breaks on Their Rates
    . . . companies shifting medical costs on to workers while winning better terms than in years past . . .

  • Workers Paying a Larger Share for Drug Plans
    . . . employers and health plans are refusing payment entirely for certain medicines that they reject as not essential . . .

  • Health-Care Costs Show Signs of Slowing Down
    . . . Fewer Hospital Visits, Use of Generics Contribute to Lower Inflation for Care . . .

  • Trade Group Poses Health Plan
    . . . The National Federation of Independent Business has sold Republicans on a conservative answer to expanding health coverage: a new kind of insurance policy that trade associations could offer members . . .

  • Consumer Defined-Contribution Health Plans
    . . . Employer, Physicians and politicians are supporting a new consumer-driven health-care system . . .

  • Health Care Limps Up Political Ladder
    . . .The health care crisis in American politics will most likely grow as rising costs and deepening cuts squeeze more and more voters . . .

  • More employers share medical pain
    . . . As health care cost trends worsened for the third year in a row, financially strapped employers last year responded by passing on more costs to employees . . .

  • Yozell Associates and Medical Claims Service Present: A HIPAA Privacy Rule Seminar
    . . . What Every Employer Needs To Know About Compliance!! . . .

  • UnumProvident Responds To Moody's Report
    . . . continues to remain a priority with the Company to maintain strong financial strength ratings . . .

  • UnumProvident Down 20% As Moody's Mulls Ratings Downgrade
    . . .current ratings are imperiled by the firm's continuing discussions with the Securities and Exchange Commission . . .

  • Yozell Associates hosts Trends in Benefits Technology
    . . . On February 4, 2003 Yozell Associates conducted a seminar on benefit technology trends. The program was very well received and the attendees felt the information was extremely useful . . .

  • Pharmacy Assessment - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
    . . . Based on the contents of the statute and the proposed regulation, The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) is providing answers frequently asked about the Pharmacy Assessment . . .

  • Management Change at UnumProvident;
    "Dear Producing Partner..."

  • Rx DRUGS: Prices To Rise 19% in 2003, a New Study Finds
    . . . Prescription drug prices will rise 19% in 2003, a situation that could add fuel to the debate over a Medicare drug benefit . . .

  • Some Tentative First Steps Toward Universal Health Care
    . . . insurance executives across the country are pressing for new steps toward universal health care . . .

  • Health Plans Shifting Health Costs to Employees
    . . . If your company is increasing the employee share of health care costs next year, now you can at least show workers the change is widespread . . .

  • Problem of Lost Health Benefits Is Reaching Into the Middle Class
    . . . The failure of the economic boom to expand employer-based coverage for working families significantly is ominous . . .

  • Panel, Citing Health Care Crisis, Presses Bush to Act
    . . . Bush administration should immediately test possible solutions, including universal insurance coverage and no-fault payment for medical malpractice, in a handful of states . . . .

  • UnumProvident: Response to Recent Media Coverage
    . . . 60 Minutes aired a highly biased and unrepresentative segment on our company (UnumProvident) on Sunday, November 17 . . .

  • Decade After Health Care Crisis, Soaring Costs Bring New Strains
    . . . Ten years after a health care crisis threw American politics into turmoil, many experts see another one looming on the horizon . . . .

  • Feds to go after non-filers of Form 5500
    . . . There is still hope for delinquent plan sponsors, however, says PWBA spokeswoman Gloria Della. Both agencies are not-so-gently reminding sponsors of the Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program. . . .

  • A road map for employer compliance with HIPAA
    (PDF Format)

  • COBRA survey results reflect cost increases, recession, and layoffs
    (PDF Format)

  • Consumer-Directed health plans: Promises and risks
    (PDF Format)

  • Workers Paying More of Health-Care Bills
    . . . A nationwide survey quantifies just how much more money workers are coughing up as part of their health plans. . . .


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