Healthcare Finance Staff

Not only are employers prone to switching their health plans, but more are ending their group health benefits altogether, a sign of the growing importance of the individual market.

One of the greatest concerns among patient advocates, regulators and insurers alike is that buying and using a health plan may be too complex a task for some consumers. One state exchange is hoping it found a scalable solution.

Americans working to improve their eating and activity habits often fail, and not for lack of investment by employers, insurers and wellness vendors. Despite, or perhaps because of those challenges, Cigna is taking another crack at the problem.

The nation's highest rated health plan is going through some growing pains and trying to make it to 2015 intact.

Nationally, the new individual exchange market seems competitive going into its second year, with a variety of plans and reasonable premium increases. At the local level, though, consumers may experience some havoc.

By most accounts, the federal marketplace that handles enrollment for 37 states is running well, but there are still uncertainties, notably millions of confused American consumers. 

Though slower than the worst spikes of the last decade, American companies and their workers continue to see healthcare costs increases, putting pressure on insurers to respond with new exchanges and plan designs.

More insurers are finding benefits in marketing new health plans with regional providers, as a way to leverage prominent brands, make networks more accessible and also create potential competitive threats.

In the Affordable Care Act's second enrollment period, insurers and exchange will again try to lure the young adult demographic, a challenge that will test risk adjustment policies and the best minds in marketing.

With new essential health benefit rules, some insurers are starting to take a more proactive approach to mental and behavioral health.