Nick Otto writes for Employee Benefit News about engaging employees to better ensure peak participation rates in open enrollment and to increase understanding of the process.

This article by Robert Bull for Benefit News discusses how technology has removed the barriers to self-funding that used to exist for small- to mid-size employers.

As one of the biggest line items in any organization’s budget, employee healthcare should be a central conversational point for all nonprofit leaders, especially in the months leading up to renewal. Understanding the details of the current plan, as well as creative alternatives that might provide better benefits for less money, are critical to ensuring the financial health of the organization and the physical (and financial) wellbeing of employees. Leaving these discussions to the last minute – or not having them at all – can leave everyone vulnerable to the rising costs of healthcare.

Recently, we spoke with Mike Wurtsmith about the larger role that nonprofit boards should be playing when it comes to choosing health benefits for their organization’s employees.

Finding talented staff may not be all that difficult. But convincing them to actually work for your organization? That’s a whole different story. Our current job market is constantly evolving, with more niche positions, an emphasis on flexibility, fast paced technology growth, and gig economies on the rise. Those organizations that can shift on a dime most often win the talent pool.

A few years ago, the Journal of Health Economics found that 86 percent of Americans couldn’t define the basic terms associated with their health insurance – deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. And in 2016, a survey by PolicyGenius found that 96 percent of Americans overestimate their understanding of these terms, with only 4 percent able to define all four of the above concepts. The correlating result? This lack of knowledge or true understanding is likely leading to increased – and possibly unnecessary – healthcare spending.

PSI – shorthand for partial self-insurance– is a highly effective way for nonprofits to provide employees with access to quality, affordable health insurance without eating away at fragile budgets. But many organizations, stuck in the staid method of traditional fully-funded insurance, likely haven’t been exposed to PSI. This could be due to myriad factors, including a lack of willingness on their broker’s part to explore alternatives because of the high commissions earned from some fully funded plans (e.g. lower deductible/higher premium plans).

Nick Otto writes for Employee Benefit News about the strategies employers are using to keep their healthcare benefits offerings competitive and attract and retain talented employees.

This article by Katie Kuehner-Herbert for Benefits Pro discusses how many Americans - even those with insurance - are skipping doctor's visits because of high out-of-pocket costs.

In many organizations, HR departments are often solely responsible for making decisions around employee healthcare, with CFOs and other leaders coming onboard for final approvals.   However, key player involvement – especially from the CFO – early in the process can be a game-changer when it comes to creating a more effective and well-rounded healthcare program for staff.