Healthcare plans

The acquisition is one of UnitedHealth’s largest and is another step in expanding the company’s health services business under its Optum division. The companies said the combination would help simplify services around medical care to improve health outcomes and lower costs.

Haven, the joint health-care venture between Amazon.com Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., plans to shut down at the end of February, a spokeswoman said.

With access to in-person support limited during COVID, digital treatment platforms like Quit Genius can help employees with drug and alcohol addictions seek the help they need.

The large self-insured healthcare provider network added new regions and partnered with programs to help consumers cope with quarantine challenges.

The pandemic forced many companies to allow employees to work from home, which created new challenges for employers and their workforce.

Proponents of the plans say they’re a good option for companies that may not feel they can afford to offer a traditional plan to workers but want to give them something to help with health care expenses. But consumer advocates are concerned they may shortchange some workers.

More than half of employees report feeling lonely while working from home, which impacts productivity, job performance and retention.

With the holiday season approaching, employees may be indulging more and focusing less. An employer-provided nutrition program can help workers practice healthy habits.

Benefits are undergoing transformational change under the COVID-19 era, and what used to be a standard package 20 years ago may now be inadequate.

In a year like no other, employers stepped up to provide employees with much-needed support for child care, mental and physical health and financial wellness.

The marketing and creative staffing firm is giving employees a break that will increase their compensation over the course of two pay periods.

Sometimes called “concierge” care services, care navigation refers to services that help patients access and coordinate healthcare — particularly when multiple providers, sites of care and types of healthcare services are involved.

The current layoff situation and legislative action to extend periods and deadlines associated with COBRA means that people who would not have considered electing COBRA prior to COVID-19 may choose to do so soon, and in record numbers.

These changes have the potential to impact employee benefits for years to come.

Whether or not the ACA is upheld will determine the future of healthcare.

CVS has evolved from a pharmacy chain into a health conglomerate that sells insurance coverage, administers drug-benefit plans and offers care, including COVID-19 testing.

David Hines, the 2020 Healthcare Benny Award winner, helped school employees pay zero out-of-pocket costs to have a baby.

“The urgency has never been greater than it is now to provide holistic mental health services,” says Joe Grasso, clinical director of partnerships at Lyra Health.

Reviewing the plan options and programs that support your well-being can go a long way towards providing peace of mind during open enrollment.