July-August 2022
Letter from the Editor
The challenges are daunting and the goals posts keep shifting, but the benefits industry remains undaunted.
Features
The results of this year's survey show a system still holding strong despite years of turmoil. But will the weaknesses soon be exposed?
How do employers know which benefits their workforce actually needs and is willing to pay for?
The newest benefits professionals are focused on putting people first and making things better.
Columnists
Health care costs are not just a problem for the working-age American.
In an even marginally successful organization, accountability results in far more opportunities to celebrate than it does in criticism.
How can voluntary benefits providers ensure that their products are viewed as necessities and not as dispensable items?
More voluntary benefit bells and whistles may not add value to your clients.
Action/Reaction
Your clients and their employees aren't the only ones dealing with stress, burnout and mental health issues.
Face of Change
The senior vice president, private equity human capital risk at CAC Specialty says her clients aren't that different from other industries.
Trending Stories
- 1Parental Burnout: Strategies for a Healthier, More Engaged Workforce
- 2Walmart to close all health care clinics and stop telehealth service: Unhealthy business?
- 3Kaiser Permanente suffers a data breach that may impact 13.4M members
- 42024 Advisor of the Year: Chelsea Ryckis
- 5Challenges to noncompete ban already hitting courts
{ "data": { "slug": "benefitspro-magazine-july-august-2022", "title": "July-August 2022", "type": "issue", "packageUrl": "", "summary": "", "cssFile": "", "imageUrl": "//www.almcms.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/BPRO-0722-Cover.jpg", "mediaUrl": "", "blurb": "", "articles": [ { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/27/2022-benefitspro-health-care-survey-cracks-in-the-foundation/", "title": "2022 BenefitsPRO health care survey: Cracks in the foundation?", "summary": "The results of this year's survey show a system still holding strong despite years of turmoil. But will the weaknesses soon be exposed?", "byline": "Emily Payne |\n Chris Nicholls", "kicker": "Market Insights", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "July 27, 2022", "wordcount": "54", "timeToRead": "1 minute", "readtime": "1", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/emily-payne/", "name": "Emily Payne" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/chris-nicholls/", "name": "Chris Nicholls" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/market-insights/", "sectionName": "Market Insights" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/01/GiantCrack.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/04/18/voluntary-insurance-and-the-great-resignation/", "title": "Voluntary insurance and the Great Resignation", "summary": "How do employers know which benefits their workforce actually needs and is willing to pay for?", "byline": "Dan Watt", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "April 18, 2022", "wordcount": "1392", "timeToRead": "7 minute", "readtime": "7", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/dan-watt/", "name": "Dan Watt" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2021/01/04_Differentiation_MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/08/03/infographic-a-healthy-retirement/", "title": "Infographic: A healthy retirement?", "summary": "Health care costs are not just a problem for the working-age American.", "byline": "Emily Payne", "kicker": "Infographic", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 03, 2022", "wordcount": "99", "timeToRead": "1 minute", "readtime": "1", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/emily-payne/", "name": "Emily Payne" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/infographic/", "sectionName": "Infographic" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/12/05-piggy-bank-financial-health-wellness.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "411" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/06/05/progress-uncertainty-and-backlash-the-current-state-of-dei/", "title": "Progress, uncertainty and backlash: The current state of DEI", "summary": "Like so many social issues in America, DEI progress is slow—and sometimes hard to see at all.", "byline": "Scott Wooldridge", "kicker": "News", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "June 05, 2022", "wordcount": "1333", "timeToRead": "7 minute", "readtime": "7", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/scott-wooldridge/", "name": "Scott Wooldridge" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/news/", "sectionName": "News" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/0722-DEI-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/12/how-a-new-wave-of-benefits-consultants-are-shaping-the-industrys-future/", "title": "How a new wave of benefits consultants are shaping the industry's future", "summary": "The newest benefits professionals are focused on putting people first and making things better.", "byline": "Alan Goforth", "kicker": "News", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "July 12, 2022", "wordcount": "1629", "timeToRead": "9 minute", "readtime": "9", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/alan-goforth/", "name": "Alan Goforth" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/news/", "sectionName": "News" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/0722-Next-Wave-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/06/30/focusing-on-a-bright-future/", "title": "Focusing on a bright future", "summary": "The challenges are daunting and the goals posts keep shifting, but the benefits industry remains undaunted.", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Editor's Letter", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "June 30, 2022", "wordcount": "556", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/editors-letter/", "sectionName": "Editor's Letter" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/PaulWilson2-e1525270605838.jpg", "width": "300", "height": "342" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/18/this-is-a-marathon-a-qa-with-erica-kasperkowiak/", "title": "This is a marathon: A Q&A with Erica Kasperkowiak", "summary": "The senior vice president, private equity human capital risk at CAC Specialty says her clients aren't that different from other industries.", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Q&A", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "July 18, 2022", "wordcount": "2638", "timeToRead": "14 minute", "readtime": "14", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/q-and-a/", "sectionName": "Q&A" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/Kasperkowiak-Erica-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/08/01/accountability-isnt-a-4-letter-word-but-fail-is/", "title": "'Accountability' isn't a 4-letter word, but 'fail' is", "summary": "In an even marginally successful organization, accountability results in far more opportunities to celebrate than it does in criticism.", "byline": "Kevin Trokey", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 01, 2022", "wordcount": "636", "timeToRead": "4 minute", "readtime": "4", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/kevin-trokey/", "name": "Kevin Trokey" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2021/02/Trokey-Kevin-2021-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/13/voluntary-benefits-and-gas-prices/", "title": "Voluntary benefits and gas prices", "summary": "How can voluntary benefits providers ensure that their products are viewed as necessities and not as dispensable items?", "byline": "Marty Traynor", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "July 13, 2022", "wordcount": "654", "timeToRead": "4 minute", "readtime": "4", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/marty-traynor/", "name": "Marty Traynor" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2021/02/Traynor-Marty-2021-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/28/bigger-isnt-always-better/", "title": "Bigger isn't always better", "summary": "More voluntary benefit bells and whistles may not add value to your clients.", "byline": "Nick Rockwell", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "July 28, 2022", "wordcount": "468", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/", "name": "Nick Rockwell" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/01/Rockwell-Nick-300x181.jpg", "width": "300", "height": "181" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/08/02/making-it-work-how-benefits-professionals-approach-mental-health/", "title": "Making it work: How benefits professionals approach mental health", "summary": "Your clients and their employees aren't the only ones dealing with stress, burnout and mental health issues.", "byline": "BenefitsPRO Editors", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "August 02, 2022", "wordcount": "2310", "timeToRead": "12 minute", "readtime": "12", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/benefitspro-editors/", "name": "BenefitsPRO Editors" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/0722-Action-Reaction-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } } ], "navigations": [ { "name": "Letter from the Editor", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/06/30/focusing-on-a-bright-future/", "title": "Focusing on a bright future", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Editor's Letter", "summary": "The challenges are daunting and the goals posts keep shifting, but the benefits industry remains undaunted.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/editors-letter/", "sectionName": "Editor's Letter" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "June 30, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/PaulWilson2-e1525270605838.jpg", "width": "300", "height": "342" } } ] }, { "name": "Cover Story", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/06/05/progress-uncertainty-and-backlash-the-current-state-of-dei/", "title": "Progress, uncertainty and backlash: The current state of DEI", "byline": "Scott Wooldridge", "kicker": "News", "summary": "Like so many social issues in America, DEI progress is slow—and sometimes hard to see at all.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/scott-wooldridge/", "name": "Scott Wooldridge" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/news/", "sectionName": "News" } ], "readtime": "7", "prettyDate": "June 05, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/0722-DEI-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } } ] }, { "name": "Features", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/27/2022-benefitspro-health-care-survey-cracks-in-the-foundation/", "title": "2022 BenefitsPRO health care survey: Cracks in the foundation?", "byline": "Emily Payne |\n Chris Nicholls", "kicker": "Market Insights", "summary": "The results of this year's survey show a system still holding strong despite years of turmoil. But will the weaknesses soon be exposed?", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/emily-payne/", "name": "Emily Payne" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/chris-nicholls/", "name": "Chris Nicholls" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/market-insights/", "sectionName": "Market Insights" } ], "readtime": "1", "prettyDate": "July 27, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/01/GiantCrack.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/04/18/voluntary-insurance-and-the-great-resignation/", "title": "Voluntary insurance and the Great Resignation", "byline": "Dan Watt", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "How do employers know which benefits their workforce actually needs and is willing to pay for?", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/dan-watt/", "name": "Dan Watt" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "7", "prettyDate": "April 18, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2021/01/04_Differentiation_MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/12/how-a-new-wave-of-benefits-consultants-are-shaping-the-industrys-future/", "title": "How a new wave of benefits consultants are shaping the industry's future", "byline": "Alan Goforth", "kicker": "News", "summary": "The newest benefits professionals are focused on putting people first and making things better.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/alan-goforth/", "name": "Alan Goforth" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/news/", "sectionName": "News" } ], "readtime": "9", "prettyDate": "July 12, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/0722-Next-Wave-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } } ] }, { "name": "Columnists", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/08/03/infographic-a-healthy-retirement/", "title": "Infographic: A healthy retirement?", "byline": "Emily Payne", "kicker": "Infographic", "summary": "Health care costs are not just a problem for the working-age American.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/emily-payne/", "name": "Emily Payne" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/infographic/", "sectionName": "Infographic" } ], "readtime": "1", "prettyDate": "August 03, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/12/05-piggy-bank-financial-health-wellness.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "411" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/08/01/accountability-isnt-a-4-letter-word-but-fail-is/", "title": "'Accountability' isn't a 4-letter word, but 'fail' is", "byline": "Kevin Trokey", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "In an even marginally successful organization, accountability results in far more opportunities to celebrate than it does in criticism.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/kevin-trokey/", "name": "Kevin Trokey" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "4", "prettyDate": "August 01, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2021/02/Trokey-Kevin-2021-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/13/voluntary-benefits-and-gas-prices/", "title": "Voluntary benefits and gas prices", "byline": "Marty Traynor", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "How can voluntary benefits providers ensure that their products are viewed as necessities and not as dispensable items?", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/marty-traynor/", "name": "Marty Traynor" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "4", "prettyDate": "July 13, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2021/02/Traynor-Marty-2021-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } }, { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/28/bigger-isnt-always-better/", "title": "Bigger isn't always better", "byline": "Nick Rockwell", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "More voluntary benefit bells and whistles may not add value to your clients.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/", "name": "Nick Rockwell" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "July 28, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/01/Rockwell-Nick-300x181.jpg", "width": "300", "height": "181" } } ] }, { "name": "Action/Reaction", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/08/02/making-it-work-how-benefits-professionals-approach-mental-health/", "title": "Making it work: How benefits professionals approach mental health", "byline": "BenefitsPRO Editors", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "Your clients and their employees aren't the only ones dealing with stress, burnout and mental health issues.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/benefitspro-editors/", "name": "BenefitsPRO Editors" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "12", "prettyDate": "August 02, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/0722-Action-Reaction-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } } ] }, { "name": "Face of Change", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "breadcrumb": [], "uri": "/2022/07/18/this-is-a-marathon-a-qa-with-erica-kasperkowiak/", "title": "This is a marathon: A Q&A with Erica Kasperkowiak", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Q&A", "summary": "The senior vice president, private equity human capital risk at CAC Specialty says her clients aren't that different from other industries.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/q-and-a/", "sectionName": "Q&A" } ], "readtime": "14", "prettyDate": "July 18, 2022", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2022/06/Kasperkowiak-Erica-MI.jpg", "width": "616", "height": "372" } } ] } ], "sponsors": [] } }