Healthcare

As CEO of United Benefit Advisors, I hear continually about the issues facing our 36,000 employer clients. Managing prescription drug costs continues to be paramount. The UBA 2012 Health Plan Survey shows that 64.2% of prescription drug plans utilize three co-pay tiers (generic, formulary brand, and non-formulary brand); 2.9% have a one-tier plan, 8.2% retain a two-tier plan; and 24.7% add a fourth tier (specialty). Consultants should watch these plan structures carefully as many brand-name drugs go off their patents and pricing is determined for the influx of generic drugs. On the other end of the spectrum, we're watching increases in specialty drugs, which are driving up costs significantly.

Discount programs deliver financial savings of up to 50% to employees, increasing their loyalty to their employer.

The outcome of November’s presidential and Congressional elections could bring change to how quickly the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is implemented.

Screening tools, access to sleep medicine professionals and compliance management can help employers deal with sleep apnea.

Robust financial education programs can help employees address student loan debt, an issue that affects all generations of, not just new graduates.

Successful mentoring programs allow relationships to develop naturally.

Contributing Editor Betty Long outlines five hospital rules that can, and sometimes should, be challenged by patients and families.

Kristi Mitchem, senior managing director and head of global defined contribution for State Street, offers five tips for employers to help engage employees in retirement saving and planning.

Communication pros Jennifer Benz and Deborah Bosley offer advice on how to translate benefits jargon into plain English.

Republican Mitt Romney cited a Massachusetts health care law he backed as showing his “empathy,” then later reiterated his pledge to repeal national legislation modeled after the state’s measure as he and President Barack Obama crisscrossed Ohio yesterday.