Battling Rx price increases: How to cut pharmacy costs in half
Pharmacy benefit manager rebates and third-party revenues are killing employer’s prescription drug plans. What are the best strategies to adopt?
Healthcare costs
Amazon’s PillPack deal a warning shot for PBMs
The online retail giant’s purchase of the drug delivery service could mean the end of pharmacy benefit managers and a major wake up call for benefit brokers, says Shandon Fowler.
HSA users do not see plans as tax savings, retirement tools
Health savings account participants are more engaged in their healthcare decisions but still see HSAs as ways for reducing medical expense.
Benefits Think Reference-based pricing is gaining momentum — here’s why
The model is becoming increasingly popular as more employers consider the move to correct cost transparency issues as they transition from fully-insured to self-funded insurance plans.
John Kern
Corporate Synergies
Million-dollar medical claims increase by 87 percent
Injectable drugs and in-patient care drive the highest of cost for employers.
Feeling the pain, employers begin to take on the opioid epidemic
Education, addiction services and alternative therapy coverage to treat pain management are among the strategies companies are embracing.
Benefits Think Reference-based pricing is gaining momentum — here’s why
The model is becoming increasingly popular as more employers consider the move to correct cost transparency issues as they transition from fully-insured to self-funded insurance plans.
John Kern
Corporate Synergies
Walmart names Humana veteran to run its health and wellness unit
The move comes as Walmart and Humana explore ways to deepen their alliance to provide healthcare to consumers.
U.S. to make more drugs easily available, cutting role docs play
The FDA issued draft guidelines Tuesday outlining possible steps patients can take to get prescription medications without seeing a doctor.
Feeling the pain, employers begin to take on the opioid epidemic
Education, addiction services and alternative therapy coverage to treat pain management are among the strategies companies are embracing.
Million-dollar medical claims increase by 87%
Injectable drugs and in-patient care drive the highest of cost for employers.
Benefits Think The new role of HRAs after Trump’s ACA executive orders
The president wants to allow for health reimbursement arrangements to be used for non-group coverage to employers of all sizes. If this happens, this is as an industry-redefining disruption.
Shandon Fowler
Four8 Insights
Serta Simmons brings healthcare to the factory floor
Worried that its employees weren’t getting the preventive care they needed, the country’s largest bedding manufacturer established onsite health checkups to help them rest easy.
Serta Simmons brings healthcare to the factory floor
Worried that its employees weren’t getting the preventive care they needed, the country’s largest bedding manufacturer established onsite health checkups to help them rest easy.
Benefits Think Federal rule broadens association health plan opportunities
The final ruling includes protections intended to remedy historical challenges with AHPs and to prevent AHPs from discriminating against individuals based on health reasons.
Helaine I. Fingold
Epstein Becker Green
Benefits Think 3 ways to help employees understand the value of their HSAs
Chances are, if you offer a high-deductible health plan with a health savings account, your workers aren’t crystal clear on the benefits. But these sure-fire tips can change that.
Timothy Hayden
Corporate Synergies
Why Social Security isn’t going broke
The worry that many feel about the possible reduction in their future retirement benefits as a result of Social Security's dwindling trust fund is misplaced, says an expert.
Many drugmakers ignore Trump — and raise prices anyway
In the first 10 days of July, at least ten drugmakers and biotechnology companies have raised prices on at least 20 brand-name medicines.
Benefits Think Are opioid education and state reforms affecting workers’ compensation claims?
Drug dependence can be an unintended consequence of a workplace injury, creating a crisis for the worker and their family.
Robert Lajdziak
J.D. Power
Part-time workers may be the key to ACA exchange rebirth
In an effort to bring insurance carriers back to ACA exchanges, the U.S. government is increasing funding to insurers, which could spur brokers to recommend the exchanges to clients.
