Research from Watson Wyatt shows employers are focusing on personal health in benefits packages, as well as access to new services or programs. Benefits consultants for the firm saw several trends emerge as open enrollment season approaches.

American Independent Marketing and GOLDENCARE USA have partnered to create a lead-generation program for agents selling long-term care insurance. LTC Rewards lets agents offer their clients up to one year of free tuition as particpating private

A new study by Hewitt Associates found average health care costs increased 6 percent in 2008, up from 5.3 percent in 2007. Major companies can expect the average health cost per employee to increase from $8,331 to $8,863 next year, with

Fluctuating gas prices are eating away employees' paychecks, but they offer employers an opportunity to find extra perks their employees are certain to appreciate. With a little creativity, they can find a way to lift the gas burden from employees'

One possible solution for rising health care costs is the rise of the "medical home," a health care model that involves primary care doctors taking over management of their patients' care, according to Workforce Management. Under the

MetLife recently released a free online tool, the Employee Benefits Simplifier, for employees who need help making decisions regarding benefits. The tool addresses employees responses to the 2008 Open Enrollment survey, which showed employees with

Atlanta-based Purchasing Power announced this week it has shipped $200 million products since the company started in 2001. It made $50 million in revenue last year, and increased the number of products ordered through its benefit program during the

Colorado recently passed into law a bill protecting small business owners and professional employer organizations; previously, many PEOs were unregulated, according to MarketWatch. Small businesses can outsource human resources, benefits, payroll