“It’s incredible to think that with all that was discussed, deliberated and debated with healthcare reform in 2017, virtually nothing changed on the legislative front,” said Shandon Fowler, founder and principal of Four8 Insights. Read full story…
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shandonfowler
ATTN: Employees! Should you get (and use) telemedicine?
Confession: I fired my primary care provider a few years ago. She was really nice and seemed to be a great doctor. In fact, she had been named to multiple lists of the best doctors in the city. But I never got out of her office without spending 45 minutes or more in the waiting … Continue Reading
ATTN: Employees! Here are 5 Tips for Picking the Right Benefits During Open Enrollment
Yo! Are you one of the 150 million Americans who gets health benefits from your employer, and one of the much more than that who gets any kind of benefit from your employer? Then listen up! We’re in the middle of what thousands of benefits administrators know as “open enrollment season,” AKA “OE.” It’s like … Continue Reading
The Trump/My Little Pony Connection: Interpreting the President’s Executive Order on the ACA
My 6-year-old daughter is a My Little Pony fanatic, which means I am also a fanatic. Well, a fan. I haven’t gone full-on Brony yet but there’s still time. For the uninitiated, the subtitle of My Little Pony is “friendship is magic” and every episode revolves around the pony friends solving problems through teamwork, critical thinking and perseverance — valuable lessons … Continue Reading
HR Dive: ACA executive order still vague, but could impact employer healthcare plans
The executive order has made for a noisy discussion in healthcare circles, but employers are unlikely to make any changes, given that executive departments still must weight in. As it stands, the expansion of association health plans would supposedly make coverage cheaper for some small businesses, Shandon Fowler, Principal of Four8 Insights, told HR Dive. … Continue Reading
HR Dive: Employers move on as healthcare reform fails—for now
At any rate, it doesn’t seem reasonable to stress out over the past week’s developments, Fowler said. Of course, vigilance should be taken in the event that serious reform is passed, even if that is short of a full-stop replacement. But there are more important matters. “Follow the horse race — it’s exciting,” Fowler said, … Continue Reading
Employee Benefit Adviser: 30 benefit thought-leaders to know
Shan Fowler Senior Director of Product Strategy BenefitfocusRead more about Fowler: “How the future of technology is shaping the benefits industry.” Shan Fowler is focused on how technology and artificial intelligence can be used to make the enrollment process simpler and more comprehensive for all parties. He preaches that A.I. should not be seen as … Continue Reading
CNBC.com: Senate’s Obamacare replacement bill to boost health savings accounts
“These changes are welcomed by employers,” Shandon Fowler, senior director of employer portfolio strategy at benefits administrator Benefitfocus. “Overall, they give employers more flexibility to drive employees to make the best choices for themselves and their families.” Roughly 60 percent of large employers offer an HSA-compatible health plan to workers and half of the employees enrolled … Continue Reading
HR Dive: Are employers dropping the ball on benefits communication?
Shandon Fowler, senior director of product strategy at Benefitfocus, a technology platform for employers and insurers, says he avoids using the term employee “education” when communicating benefits information. Employees don’t want to learn about benefits; they just want to be assured that they are getting the information they need, says Fowler. He adds that by using technology to … Continue Reading
Employee Benefit News: Advisers seek a tech solution to financial wellness
Meanwhile, new legislation determining how wellness plans are regulated has sparked a renewed interest in finding a streamlined financial wellbeing platform. Shan Fowler, senior director of employer portfolio and product strategy at Benefitfocus, says legislation such as the Employer Participation in Repayment Act and the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act, will help fuel the creation of a financial … Continue Reading