Healthcare costs

It takes knowledge and planning, but there are ways to keep health insurance costs from derailing company profits while still offering employees the benefits they need.

These tax breaks for employees account for the lion’s share of what the federal government spends on healthcare for Americans under age 65.

Few programs can provide hard data that they solidly increase health outcomes for employees or decrease costs for employer clients.

The U.S. health system is making strides toward value-based care but much of it is still focused on volume, which is detrimental for plan sponsors and employees.

The Northeast Business Group on Health says digital tools can make a difference in controlling chronic conditions among employees.

Few programs can provide hard data or credible testimonials showing that they solidly improve health outcomes for employees or cost for benefit plan sponsors.

The Northeast Business Group on Health says digital tools can make a difference in controlling chronic conditions among employees.

Employers can take immediate steps to help hospitals ensure that employees, dependents — and all patients — are in better shape after they leave the hospital than when they went in.

Faced with rising insurance premiums, employees are poised to change the rules of the game by demanding cost transparency and quality information, says adviser Mark Gaunya.

The looming Cadillac tax is causing clients to be cautious when it comes to contributing to workers’ health savings accounts.

Plan sponsors can take immediate steps to help hospitals ensure that employees, dependents -- and all patients –are in better shape after they leave the hospital than when they went in.

With rising healthcare costs hurting employers, adviser Mark Gaunya says it’s time for quality reform.

Tiered incentives may encourage more workers to get active, but for employers they represent an increase in administrative overhead, says David Contorno, CEO of Lake Norman Benefits.

Hospital market power, not technologies or regulation, is behind escalating prices, says benefits expert Joseph Jenkins, M.D.

Steve Miller, the pharmacy benefit manager’s chief medical officer, addresses the key cost drivers and what the PBM is doing to guard against increases.

Hospital market power, not regulation or new medical technologies is behind escalating prices, says benefits expert Joseph Jenkins, M.D.

Generic drugs are usually significantly cheaper for plan sponsors than brand-name drugs. Here’s a look at 10 drugs coming off patent in 2016. And although the FDA hasn’t yet approved generics for many of the following blockbuster drugs that are coming off patent this year, in most cases there are generics in the pipeline, according to Dickson Data Blog.

Steve Miller, the pharmacy benefit manager’s chief medical officer, addresses the key cost drivers and what the PBM is doing to guard against increases.

Michael Thompson discusses how the National Business Coalition on Health plans to address consolidation in the benefits industry and a proposal for a well-being institute.

The looming Cadillac tax is causing companies to be cautious when it comes to contributing to workers’ health savings accounts.