Employers can take up to 12 months to determine whether workers are full-time employees for purposes of applying the new federal "play or pay" health benefits rules.

For purposes of complying with the new federal summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) rules, Medicare Advantage plan benefits are Medicare benefits, according to the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).

Timothy Jost and others who represent consumers in proceedings at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) are scoffing at the idea that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) will have little effect on the small-group health insurance market.

Mutual of Omaha will stop taking applications for new multi-life LTCI programs and is cutting its commissions, as well as eliminating some benefits.

The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is trying to get employers and their benefits advisors ready to issue summaries of benefits and coverage (SBCs) by the Sept. 23 compliance date.

American General joins Prudential, Genworth and Transamerica, who have all recently pulled products out of the increasingly expensive LTCI space.

The exchange builders in states with active exchange design programs still seem to be deciding how to work with health insurance agents and brokers.

Transamerica Long Term Care says it wants to increase premium rates by 15 percent across the nation, as well as reducing discounts.