Supplemental Health

Health care solutions and benefits management for employers and HR teams. Providing direction on health care consumerism and population health and wellness.

Supplemental Health





AlwaysCare Benefits Extends Dependent Age Limit for Vision and Dental Coverage
AlwaysCare Benefits, Inc. will extend the age limits for dependents covered under its dental and vision insurance plans to age 26 starting September 1, 2010

Transition Optical Challenges HR Managers to "See The Savings" Possible with Premium Vision Benefits
Promotion, Publicity of Healthy Sight Calculator at Industry Events Give Employers, Benefits Professionals Chance to Try Interactive Tool and Enter to Win Cash Prizes

Supplement Core Medical Plan with Accident, Critical Illness Insurance
Don’t all employers today want to offer their employees a rich benefit plan? But in reality, many can only afford one with higher deductibles and co-insurance. More employers are finding themselves in this position, and you may be among them.

AUL Named a Voluntary Sales Growth Leader
The Employee Benefits Division at American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL), an OneAmerica company, has been named a Voluntary Sales Growth Leader by Eastbridge Consulting Group, Inc.

AlwaysCare Benefits Extends Dependent Age Limit for Vision, Dental Coverage
AlwaysCare Benefits, Inc., one of the fastest-growing insurance providers in the country, will extend the age limits for dependents covered under its dental and vision insurance plans to age 26 (or up to age 30, if state-specific guidelines mandate) starting September 1, 2010.

AlwaysCare Benefits Launches Enhanced Vision Plans
National benefits provider offers full‐service plans with no co‐pay for contact lenses and separate benefits for fitting services, materials.

BEMAS Integrates WiredCommute into PayDirect® System
Users Now Have New Option To Administer Commuter Benefits

OCI Study Shows Effectiveness of Return to Work Program


Conner Strong Signs Agreement with Free & Clear to Offer Quit For Life
Conner Strong, an insurance, risk management, and benefits firm, announced an agreement with Free & Clear Inc., and its parent company, Inverness Medical Innovations

AlwaysCare Benefits Offers Online Enrollment for OnePlus Individual Benefits
AlwaysCare Benefits, Inc., has added new options to its OnePlus Individual Dental and Vision benefit plans.

Guardian Offers Enhanced Disability Insurance Coverage for New York Small Businesses
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) announced it will offer enhanced New York disability insurance coverage to businesses with less than 50 employees.

Securian Expands Group Life Insurance Distribution with Brokerage Purchase
Securian Financial Group has purchased Ochs, Inc., a St. Paul, Minn.-based employee benefits brokerage with a client base composed primarily of public sector employers in Minnesota.

Employees Don't See What They Are Missing Without Vision Benefits
By Wendy Marshall Assistant Vice President, Corporate Benefits Medstar Health Inc.

Help Employees Help Themselves - Health & Wellness, Financial Advice & Guidance in the Workplace


Guardian Widens Availability of Critical Illness Plans
Recent Enhancements Make The Plan Accessible For More Employers And Employees

Trustnode Increases Short-Term Disability Benefit Participation Rate 4X
Online, Animated Cartoon-driven, Interactive Platform Better Engages, Educates Employees about Voluntary Benefits Offerings

AlwaysCare Benefits Meets Market Need with Affordable New Group Critical Illness, Accident Plans
More Americans than ever are surviving critical illnesses and injuries, yet even with health care coverage, they are finding it difficult to survive financially.

City of Tucson Integrates CIGNA's Medical, Dental Plans for Employees, Reducing Coverage Costs
Employees of the city of Tucson can choose their dental plan as offered by CIGNA.

Disability Programs Can Fight Soaring Absence Costs


AlwaysCare Benefits Introduces AlwaysCare OnePlus Affordable Individual Dental and Vision Benefits
New product provides individuals and their families greater benefits

Guardian Helps Business Owners Reduce Dental Insurance Costs
Wider Selection of Annual Maximum Rollover Options and Incentives for In-Network Care

MetLife Honored with Industry-wide Center of Excellence Certification for Customer-Driven Quality
Marks the Fifth Consecutive Year MetLife has Earned this Prestigious Designation

Companies Face Worker, Health Care Challenges as Millennium Closes
Overall Outlook for 2010

Maximize Corporate Value When Implementing Parity Act
Mental health parity has been misunderstood as long as it has been debated. The cost concerns expressed for many years have been eliminated, with years of experience showing the beneficial corporate and improved health effects of recognizing the mind-body relationship.

Guardian Offers Critical Illness Insurance Advice
Six Questions to Ask Yourself before American Heart Month Ends

Reports of Limited Medical Plans’ Demise Exaggerated
Limited medical plans find a place in health reform and continue to evolve as coverage gaps widen.

Working Family Caregivers Unprepared for Challenges
A recent survey sheds new light on the challenges that face employees who are caring for aging loved ones.

Employees with Depression Generate Higher Absentee Costs
Despite Treatment, Employees with Depression Generate Higher Absentee Costs, According to Thomson Reuters Study

Healthy Sight Calculator Demonstrates Value of Premium Vision Benefit
New Online Tool Shares Medical Savings and Productivity Gains Possible With Regular Vision Care and Quality Vision Wear

New Metlife Dental Health Manager Launched
Program Provides a Comprehensive Approach to Dental Disease Management

Aflac Becomes the Most Preferred Carrier for Voluntary Insurance Among Brokers
A survey of 358 brokers finds Aflac is the number one preferred carrier for voluntary insurance among brokers.

New Hearing Savings Program Available to all AlwaysCare Members
New Hearing Savings Program Available to all AlwaysCare Members

U.S. Health Bill Passes Crucial Senate Test
In a middle-of-the-night vote, Democrats unanimously backed the first in a series of three procedural motions to cut off debate and move the bill to a final vote by at least Christmas Eve.

Companies Expanding EAP Offerings
Short-Term Counseling Often Cheaper Than Therapy Through Medical Plans

EAP's Effective in Managing Health Care Costs
EAPs Increasingly Seen As Effective Tool in Managing Health Care Costs, Enhancing Employee Productivity

New Data Show Delta Dental Continues Offering Largest Nationwide Network of Dentists
New report shows that Delta Dental maintains the largest network of dentists in the nation.

Critical Illness Insurance Can Ease Financial Burden
Bundling Health Plans with Critical Illness Insurance Can Shield Enrollees from the Financial Shock of a Medical Emergency

Easing the Burden of Cancer through Prevention and Early Detection


Popularity of Pet Health Insurance Grows, More Options Now Available
Kroger Personal Finance Adds Accident Coverage

Americans Don’t Understand Long-Term Care Insurance
Prudential Research Shows Most Workers Aren’t Prepared for a Long Illness

American General Life Companies’ Employee Benefit Solutions Division Changes Dental Network
SmileMaxSM Network new provider for dental PPO plan

Fringe Benefit Group Expands Limited Medical Plan Offering
Fringe Benefit Group Expands Limited Medical Plan Offering with Addition of Coinsurance-based Plan; Framework Health Plan EI Series is Now Available

Why Employers Can’t Afford Not to Offer Fertility Benefits
Employers who support their covered insured's desire for a baby with programs that put their well-being and safety first will find there are corporate benefits as well.

Sun Life Financial and Humana Join Together to Offer a Greater Choice of Dental Plans
The Employee Benefits Group division of Sun Life Financial Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Humana to offer a greater choice of dental plans to employer groups in select markets.

Health Insurance Innovation Is Possible
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson References Liazon on Larry King Live

Diabetes Ten City Challenge Empowers People to Make Healthy Change
When people are supported and empowered to make the necessary lifestyle changes to better manage a chronic disease, significant improvements are seen.

MetLife Provides New Resource to Help Employers, Brokers and Consultants Maximize Dental Benefits
Whitepaper Highlights Importance of Employee Communication, Engagement and Choice

MetLife Provides New Resource to Help Employers, Brokers and Consultants Maximize the Value of Denta
Whitepaper Highlights Importance of Employee Communication, Engagement and Choice

Combine Disability Features for Greater Flexibility


Discount Cards a Health Care Alternative
For employers who need to reduce benefit expenses, there is an option that can help keep employees healthy and happy—health care discount cards.

Dental Network of America (DNoA) Acquires DenteMax, Owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Expanding on DNoA’s Dental PPO Network – the nation’s largest in terms of Access Points

Include Dental in Health Care Reform Discussions


CIGNA International Launches Envoy Web Portal To Help Doctors, Hospitals Better Serve Expatriate Pat
CIGNA International launched the CIGNA Envoy Web Portal to help doctors and hospitals within the CIGNA International network better serve expatriate patients.

Survey: Employers Plan to Continue Mental Health Coverage with Parity Law


Renaissance Healthy Savings Card Announces New Dental Network
Now Includes Discounts on Chiropractic and Alternative Health

Despite Escalating Costs, Employee Healthcare Benefits Aren’t on the Chopping Block
Employers Continue to Regard Healthcare Benefits Programs as Vital to Maintaining a Healthy, Productive and Loyal Workforce during a Down Economy

Disability Insurance Provides Critical Protection From Income Loss Due To Accident Or Illness
Humana encourages you to assess your coverage in May, which is National Disability Insurance Awareness Month

Disability Insurance a Great Value That Protects Employers’ Greatest Asset
Common misconceptions about disability insurance lead employers to exclude it from their benefits packages. Protect your greatest investment--your employees--with affordable coverage.

New Research from EBRI: Many Support Lower Cost Sharing to Change Health Care System Use
Many Americans support the use of lower cost sharing as an incentive to change the way individuals use the health care system

Guardian Highlight Significance of Critical Illness Insurance During National Stroke Awareness Month
Coverage Can Provide an Unrestricted Financial Lifeline for Americans Struggling With Serious Illnesses

FieldMedia Announces Convergence of Successful Web Communities With Launch of EmployersWeb.com


John Hancock Introduces New Needs-Based Tools for Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance Marketing
New materials help financial representatives sell LTC insurance in today's tough economic conditions

Renaissance Life and Health Insurance Company of America Debuts Individual Dental Insurance for Reti


The Importance of Dental Benefits in Overall Health and as an Element of Employee Wellness Programs
2007 NADP Consumer Survey confirms dental benefits link to staff retention and improved oral health behaviors

En-vision A Healthy Workforce
A workforce that is aging, becoming more prone to diabetes, and using computers more and more is experiencing increased vision problems. Vision benefits are no longer a nice add-on, and eye care practitioners can be partners in preventing diseases and disorders, identifying early warning signs, and recommending innovative lens and protective wear.

Genworth Financial Expands Long Term Care Insurance Multi-Life Offering
Flexible, affordable multi-life insurance program now available for small businesses

The ROI for Targeted Therapies: A Strategic Perspective Assessing the Barriers and Incentives for Ad
Produced by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions

Adoption of Personalized Medicine May Yield Significant ROI
Time to Achieve Benefit Varies Among U.S. Health Care Stakeholders, According to Deloitte Greatest ROI opportunity for consumers in shortest period of time

Silver&Fit, Healthyroads Offer Tips On Protecting Vision From Blindness
During National Glaucoma Awareness Month, Learn How to Improve Your Total Vision Health

What Employers Want From Health Insurers--Now
In 2008, PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research team surveyed senior executives at more than 100 large US-based multinational companies and more than 250 privately held small companies. The large companies each have an average of 8,000 employees and revenue of about $3 billion. The small employers each have a workforce of about 200 and less than $50 million in revenue. In addition, PwC surveyed more than 500 human resources executives separately on benefit plan design issues. This white paper discusses the results of this survey.

Bite Down on Dental Costs By Reevaluating Your Benefit Design
All but overlooked by many health plan sponsors, dental coverage can be a significant source of cost savings and can be improved in ways that add considerable value. State-of-the art dental plan designs like those discussed in this article are likely to be welcomed by employees, who appreciate having dental coverage—especially if they are sharing a greater portion of the cost of their medical coverage.

AlwaysCare Benefits Expands Product Portfolio
AlwaysCare Benefits Expands Product Portfolio With Addition of Group Life, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability

Fringe Benefit Group Announces Framework Passage; New Limited Medical Plan
Fringe Benefit Group Announces Framework Passage; New Limited Medical Plan Designed to Support High-Deductible Health Plans

Discount medical card
Discount medical cards are not insurance policies, but provide access to discounts from participating health care providers.

vision insurance
Vision insurance is a form of insurance that provides coverage for the services rendered by eye care professionals such as ophthalmologists and optometrists. There are many vision insurance companies. The typical vision insurance plan provides yearly coverage for eye examinations and partial or full coverage eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses, with or without copays, depending on the plan chosen.

Disability insurance
Disability insurance, often called disability income insurance, is a form of insurance that insures the beneficiary's earned income against the risk that disability will make working (and therefore earning) impossible.

Consumers/Employers Paying Almost $90 Billion Due to Under-Payments by Medicare and Medicaid
‘Hidden tax’ leads to higher premiums for families and employers

New Short-Term Health Care Coverage Offered for Unemployed
AmWINS Group Benefits’ BridgeCare makes temporary medical coverage readily available to 9.5 million unemployed Americans

Renewed Interest in Tax Exempt Benefit Trusts
Recent changes in financial accounting reporting obligations have caused many employers, both public and private, to re-examine the overall economics of pre-funding retiree medical benefits.

Nurtur Transforms Traditional Disease Management with Work-Life Focus
New hybrid product delivers a single solution uniting work-life and health

Aetna Introduces i.Choose Voluntary Benefits
Expanded suite of offerings allows employees to choose what benefits are most important to them and gives employers an affordable way to offer coverage

Insurance for Long Lives
Read how critical illness insurance can help relieve the financial impact of today’s uncovered health care expenses for employees and their families.

Affordable Disability Solutions
Nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States will be disabled for a year or more during their working years. Voluntary plans allow employers to make disability benefits available to their employees despite a tight benefits budget.

Top 5 Reasons to Offer Executive Carve Out Plans


2008 CDHC Superstar Awards: Pioneers in CDHC
We've awarded top innovators in health care these coveted honors for excellence and innovation in the rapidly changing world of CDHC. Read about these outstanding companies and the people at their helm as they lead the way with innovative plan design, implementation, and leadership. Inside are the profiles of the winners and finalists in each of the 8 categories.

American Worker Plans Adds To Limited Medical Benefits
American Worker Plans include telephonic medical assistance and retail clinics.

Pay for Performance
Pay for Performance: an emerging movement in health insurance, in which providers are rewarded for quality of healthcare services

Engaging Employees With Wellness Coaching
Learn how wellness coaches can make employees more proactive about their health

Supplemental Medical Benefits
What type of benefits are included in your health care plan?

Employees Look for Convenience and Coverage
As employees become savvier, are you ready to deliver comprehensive coverage and convenience-driven health benefits?

How Will You Handle the Largest Generation of Hearing Loss Victims Since World War II?
Hearing loss emerges as a major workforce problem.

Catching the Employer’s Eye: Seven Trends in Vision Benefits
Photochromics are as clear as regular lenses indoors; they darken outdoors depending on how bright it is—reducing eye strain and fatigue from glaring light and providing automatic protection from harmful UV rays.

Making CDHC Plans Work
Adding supplemental health benefits and using first-dollar payment in your plan design may do the trick.

A Core Benefits Package Will Include Supplemental Health Products
Ask employers what their number one challenge is today, and almost every one will say "controlling medical insurance costs." No matter where you live, health care cost increases are on everyone's minds.

Expanding Pockets to Care for the Elderly
Footing health care bills for aging parents.

More Employers Considering Limited Health Benefits for Part-Time, Hourly Employees
Offering limited benefit plans helps companies cut turnover and boost workplace appeal. Here's what to look for in the plan design.

A Supplemental Employee Benefit Whose Time Has Come
Let’s look at the numbers. A man who reaches age 65 has a 4 in 10 chance of needing long-term care at some point in his lifetime. For women, that chance is 7 in 10. And the need is not restricted to seniors.

Keeping an Eye on Health
National eye care benefits provider VSP Vision Care reports that nearly 75 percent of all vision benefit plans offered nationally have a voluntary element, requiring employees to contribute to the premium cost.

Know Your Disability Coverage
Nothing is worse than finding out you've purchased a disability policy that fails to pay benefits on claims you believed would be covered.