More than 90% of C-suite executives and board members are making or are considering making changes in their supply chains and international footprints due to the current political and economic environment, according to a July 2017 A.T. Kearney Global Business Policy Council study. C-suite executives see challenges in rising political risks and increasingly populist and protectionist policies in democratic countries. For the second year in a row, respondents also

A rogue employee attempting to make a profit on the Dark Web in 2017 breached the data systems of Bupa, a U.K.-based international health insurer. The employee, who goes under the codename “MoZeal” and who offered the database for sale on Alpha Bay, one of many sites on the Dark Web, has exposed data for 108,000 policies and claims to have information for as many as one million customers.

U.S. insurer Country Financial in July 2017 published its tenth Country Financial Security Index survey. Ten years after the beginning of the 2007 financial crisis known as the Great Recession, nearly 30% of Americans believe they have yet to recover financially or that they never will, despite signals from the Federal Reserve that the U.S. economy is growing. The survey reveals that this is due in large part to

U.S. healthcare organizations are finding it increasingly difficult to transition from fee-for-service to fee-for-value care because of competing priorities and uncertainty over regulations according to a report released in July 2017 by Ernst & Young’s Health Advisory Services.  The survey queried 700 U.S. healthcare professionals. Among the findings are four key factors that challenge the shift to value-driven care: System inefficiencies that escalate the cost of care delivery Clinical

Lemonade, an U.S. property/casualty insurance company “powered by artificial intelligence and behavioral economics”, in June 2017 released two surveys conducted in April 2017 that appear to indicate it had overtaken Allstate, GEICO, Farmers, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, State Farm, USAA and all other legacy insurers, when it comes to first-time purchasers of renter’s insurance in New York State. The first of two Google surveys (500 respondents) compared Lemonade’s market share in

Cigna in July 2017 announced it had acquired Zurich Insurance Middle East (SAL). The newly-acquired company will be called “Zurich Insurance Middle East, a Cigna-Owned company” in line with local regulations. Cigna’s strategy in the Middle East is to deliver group health products and services for small businesses and family-owned enterprises through to multinational companies. Arthur Cozad, former CEO of Cigna Taiwan, has been named as CEO for Middle

Managing regulatory and compliance risk in the face of constantly evolving rules and guidelines is a significant challenge for both the payers and the providers who make up the United States’ healthcare industry, creating a market need for systems that can consistently support regulatory, reimbursement and compliance professionals. A June 2017 white paper from management consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, The Increasing Challenge of Managing Regulatory and Compliance Risk,

Recognition of dedicated, long-term service is the most prevalent type of rewards and recognition program in place among Canadian employers. However, a Conference Board of Canada study published in June 2017 suggests that these programs may not appeal to younger generations who typically have shorter tenures. The Power of Appreciation: Rewards and Recognition Practices in Canadian Organizations summarizes the findings of a survey conducted between June and August 2016

The cost of medical care will continue to rise, according to Willis Towers Watson’s annual Global Medical Trends Survey for 2017, published in June 2017. The survey points out that while the trend has slowed in some countries, it is still mostly above inflation. It can be attributed to the overall cost of hospital and inpatient services, basic medical and outpatient services, provider and employee behavior, new medical technology,

Workers are getting better at balancing work and home life, according to a Robert Half Management Resources survey published in June 2017 that revealed that the majority of professionals (52 percent) believe their work-life balance has improved from three years ago. Employers and employees alike are emphasizing work-life balance, and managers contribute by giving their teams more freedom over where and when they work, if possible, and providing greater

Zurich’s International business (Zurich International) in August 2017 launched its Target Date Funds (TDFs) as part of the investment proposition available with the International Pension Plan (IPP), and International Corporate Investment Plan (ICIP). Zurich International claims it is the first financial services group to offer a US Dollar TDF solution in the International Pensions & Savings market. With their focus on simplicity, value for money and positive retirement outcomes

U.S. health insurance comparison platform HealthCare.com in June 2017 announced the launch of The CheckUp, a new online blog meant to equip Americans with the knowledge and insight to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare. More than one-third of Americans are unaware that “Obamacare” is another name for the Affordable Care Act, according to a poll conducted by Morning Consult earlier this year. Led by Ronald Barba, a veteran

Private insurance claim lines with opioid abuse and dependence diagnoses were found in every age group from 13-18 years to over 80 years, and in urban areas, in every age group from 13-18 years to 71-80 years. Further, claim lines with opioid abuse and dependence diagnoses were more concentrated among middle-aged people in rural settings, and young and middle-aged people in urban settings. These findings are based on a

American International Group (AIG), IBM, and Standard Chartered Bank, in June 2017 announced they have successfully piloted the first multinational “smart contract”-based insurance policy using blockchain, a distributed ledger technology. The three parties chose to execute this initiative in one of the most complicated areas of commercial insurance – multinational risk transfer – to better understand blockchain’s potential to reduce friction and increase trust in other areas of the

Recently launched advocacy organization Cross Border Benefits Alliance-Europe (CBBA-Europe) in August 2017 announced plans to hold its inaugural conference in November or in December, 2017. CBBA-Europe’s purpose is to promote cross-border and pan-European employee benefit plans in Europe. To join the Alliance or for more information about the upcoming conference, contact CBBA-Europe’s Secretary General, Francesco Briganti. Phone +32 2 401 87 92, email francesco.briganti@cbba-europe.eu

The Provider Data Action Alliance, a U.S.-based non-profit cross-section of healthcare leaders, in July 2017 began work on a wide-ranging effort to improve the accuracy of provider data for industry stakeholders and patients. The alliance, which represents health, dental and vision plans; provider organizations, health systems, government and health information exchanges, has developed a roadmap that articulates actionable strategies and vision for obtaining and sharing high-quality provider information that

Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) in June 2017 acquired HolaDoctor, the leading digital provider of health and wellness solutions for Hispanic audiences, in a significant strategic initiative by PALIG that both expands its presence in the U.S. Hispanic market and strengthens its position as a healthcare leader in Latin America. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1999, HolaDoctor is an online resource for Hispanic consumers interested

Advocacy organization Cross Border Benefits Alliance-Europe (CBBA-Europe) in July 2017 was launched to promote cross-border/pan-European employee benefit plans in Europe, including pensions, healthcare, disability, long-term care, and well-being/wellness programs. The Alliance “is strongly convinced that the current national barriers to the creation of cross-border employee benefits represent a useless burden and foolish costs for sponsor companies and future beneficiaries”. CBBA-Europe will lobby E.U. institutions and member states to remove

The reinsurance and capital advisory division of Aon, Aon Benfield, in June 2017 announced the appointment of Andy Marcell as its president, based in New York and reporting to Aon Benfield CEO Eric Andersen. Since 2015, he was Aon Benfield’s head of strategy, joining from the position of CEO of Guy Carpenter’s U.S. operations and head of its global facultative business. He had joined Guy Carpenter in 1990 as

Global relocation services provider Cartus in July 2017 announced the appointment of Mark Sonders as Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, based in Cartus’ worldwide headquarters in Danbury, Connecticut. He joins the company with over 20 years in business-to-business sales and leadership roles, coming from Vertafore, a provider of technology solutions for the insurance industry. Prior experience included roles at eMind and Thomson Reuters. He earned a Bachelor

Cyber risk analytics firm Cyence and specialty insurance market Lloyd’s of London in July 2017 published a joint report that explores the financial impact on insurers of two specific cyber scenarios in terms of dollars and probabilities. Cyence’s economic modeling platform for cyber risk identified and quantified the potential outcomes that could affect insurance companies’ cyber portfolios. The report focused on two increasingly common cyber events: a cloud service provider

Vaccines manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur in July 2017 announced that its first doses of its range of influenza (“flu”) vaccines for the 2017-2018 flu season have been released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Shipments will begin in early August to support fall immunization campaigns. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the single best way to prevent the flu is to get an

Lockton Chairman David Lockton in July 2017 announced that Vice Chairman Ron Lockton will expand his role to become President and CEO of Lockton. He succeeds Glenn Spencer, who has resigned effective immediately. Ron Lockton will work closely with David Lockton, U.S. President Peter Clune, International CEO Neil Nimmo, and Lockton leaders around the world. Ron Lockton joined Lockton Companies in 1990 after working with Aetna as a casualty

Cheryl H. Johnson in July 2017 was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and a member of the executive office at Caterpillar, reporting to CEO Jim Umpleby. Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in HR leadership positions. Most recently, she was executive vice president of human resources for Textron, a very large global and diversified manufacturing company. Her 20-year career with Textron has included a number of

Amber Kennelly in July 2017 joined global insurance brokerage Hub International as Chief Human Resources Officer, in charge of talent acquisition and management, learning and development, employee relations, compensation, employee benefits and payroll. Kennelly reports to Martin Hughes, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Hub Executive Management Team. Most recently she was Vice President of compensation and benefits for Allstate Insurance

Global insurance brokerage Hub International (Hub) in July 2017 acquired HR technology consultants MillsonJames for an undisclosed sum. Based in Florida, USA, MillsonJames advises brokers and employers on HR and benefits technology.  MillsonJames principal Scott Millson now reports to Chris Gardner, President and CEO, Hub Florida.

The Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies in July 2017 passed a reform of the long-term nursing care (LTC) insurance plan provided by Social Security, officially known as “assurance dépendance”. The new provisions that come into force on 1 January 2018 allow for higher individualization of the range of – mainly nursing – services to better meet the daily needs of LTC beneficiaries. New standards and controls and simplified procedures are