Wellness

For all the discussion about lowering the cost of health care and providing health benefits, is there a more important arbiter of employer satisfaction with a health plan than holding down cost trends? Maybe so, according to the results of the latest survey from J.D. Power and Associates.

When Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced rules for the new state health insurance exchanges back in July, she did so with an air of caution, telling stakeholders to expect more modifications before they become final. That may prove to be an understatement.

Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, released a report recently showing access to child-only health insurance plans has declined significantly since passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Cardiovascular disease accounts for roughly $286 billion in health expenditures - including the direct costs of medical care and indirect costs associated with lost productivity - according to the latest numbers from the American Heart Association. Spending on cardiovascular medications accounted for 20% of drug plan costs, according to Medco's 2011 Drug Trend Report.

[IMGCAP(1)] HONG KONG | Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:56am EDT (Reuters) - Obesity is most widespread in Britain and the United States among the world's leading economies and if present trends continue, about half of both men and women in the United States will be obese by 2030, health experts warned on Friday. …

With the prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States nearly tripling over the past 30 years, now is the time for employers to take the lead in the battle against the growing problem of overweight and obese children, according to the National Business Group on Health. Obesity is a growing epidemic affecting children, their families and the nation. The United States currently has the highest percentage of overweight youth in its history. More than one-third…

The Obama administration last week issued regulations intended to improve employees’ understanding of their health plan options, as called for by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

A key recommendation for medical coverage standards under the Obama administration's healthcare overhaul may be issued later than a September deadline, according to the organization preparing the report.

A survey measuring use by various state’s departments of insurance of their websites to engage consumers rated California, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio, Texas and Utah as highest in giving consumers access to critical insurance information.

Insurers and employers will have to spell out plainly the costs and benefits of the health plans they offer starting next year.