Benefits Think How data drives better ACA plan decisions
Commentary: Why understanding the impact of health plan costs, employer contribution and employee demographics is vital to sponsoring benefits in 2015.
Pharmacy benefits
Benefits Think How data drives better ACA plan decisions
Commentary: Why understanding the impact of health plan costs, employer contribution and employee demographics is vital to sponsoring benefits in 2015.
Bill aims to improve Rx transparency in California
Comparing prescription drug benefits offered on the Covered California state-run exchange is expected to be easier during the 2015 open enrollment.
Utilization of specialty drugs higher on exchanges
While pharmacy benefits utilization was roughly the same during the first half of 2014 for individuals enrolled in public health insurance exchanges and traditional insurance market plans, a new analysis shows the utilization of specialty drugs is much higher in the HIX marketplace.
Benefits Think Managing the cost challenges of specialty drugs
Employing a proactive strategy to address the explosive costs of specialty medications can serve the patients who need those specialized meds, with an unbelievable 63% increase in costs expected in the next two years.
Timothy Hayden
Corporate Synergies
Online tool removes need for pharmacy RFPs
A new self-service tool for employers and brokers aims to make the RFP process for pharmacy benefit plans a little easier.
Satisfaction with pharmacy benefits hinges on flexibility
In an era when health care consumerism is being touted as a game-changer for employer-sponsored benefits, offering employees a variety of choices when it comes to how and where they fill their drug prescriptions is an important satisfaction driver.
Better medication adherence a potential use for Apple Watch
Apple's new watch shows promise to improve medication adherence by tracking when medications should be taken and sending a reminder to an individual who is wearing the watch.
How to help alleviate specialty Rx costs
Saddled with the high cost of emerging specialty drugs, employers are looking to their benefit advisers for strategies to manage their medical plans drug spend.
4 trends slowing health care cost growth rate
Several factors, including the economy and technological advances, are contributing to a slowdown in the health care cost growth rate in the U.S., studies show.
CVS halts tobacco sales early, changes corporate name
CVS Caremark Corp. halted sales of tobacco products almost a month ahead of schedule, started a smoking-cessation campaign, and changed its name to position itself as an advocate of better health.
Are pharmacy discount cards still relevant?
Providers of prescription drug discount cards are increasing their efforts to reach out to employers, even as the Affordable Care Act is expected to decrease the ranks of those most likely to use the cards those without health insurance.
Health care cost increases driven by specialty drugs, economy
A nearly 7% spike in health care costs in 2015 can be attributed to a revitalized economy, the modernization of health care technology and the drastic increase in specialty drug use.
Helping employers understand Rx specialty drugs on and off the exchanges
The accessibility of specialty prescription drugs may be as elusive on the Affordable Care Acts health care exchanges as it typically has been off of the exchanges, and trusted advisers need to be able to navigate both discussions with clients.
Don’t overlook the value of claims auditing
Auditing fees may not be inconsequential, but the fact is that an accurate audit including both pharmacy and medical claims has the potential to pay back the investment many times over.
Benefits Think An inside look at wellness program strategies
With the impact of health care reform still evolving, employers are taking a fresh look at their strategies for keeping employees healthy and productive.
Beena Thomas
Optum
PBM expands access to specialty meds at retail pharmacies
With specialty drugs expected to reach as much as half of total drug expenditures within the next few years, pharmacy benefit manager CVS Caremark has launched a new program designed to make the process of filling specialty medication prescriptions easier for plan members.
Rx drug costs on exchange plans higher than employer-sponsored coverage
Individuals could pay more than twice as much for prescription drugs with certain exchange plans, as employers that provide health coverage gain another asset to leverage.
Eliminating copays helps reduce disparities in cardiovascular care
Eliminating drug plan copays for specific, targeted groups of patients is an easy administrative fix employers can implement to help reduce disparities in care, says the co-author of a study on reducing ethnic disparities in cardiovascular care.
Helping employers halt the Rx drug cost hemorrhage
Unbeknownst to your clients, prescription drugs are likely costing them a great deal. As their trusted adviser, heres how you can help.