Have you ever thought about how you or your employees have experienced the healthcare system? I have a couple of clients who have surveyed their employees over each of the past several years and found two consistent results. First, not surprising, our out-of-pocket costs are too high. What employers don’t often realize (or think they […]
Your Employees are the First Line of Defense to Saving you Thousands! Read More »
Do you find it baffling that health insurance costs in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, yet seemingly not anywhere else in the world? I find it baffling, especially since the actual costs of healthcare are not increasing even close to the rate of insurance costs. So, why is this happening in the
The Ugly Truth Behind Health Insurance in the United States Read More »
An ongoing tense relationship between insurers and drug companies is spilling over and hitting enrollees in group health plans, by saddling them with additional out-of-pocket expenses. Some insurers have started adopting copay accumulator programs — sometimes called accumulator adjustment programs — that change the way a patient’s out-of-pocket medication costs are added up (accumulated) when
New Accumulator Programs Can Surprise Employees at Pharmacy Counter Read More »
One of the fastest growing parts of the health care system, and which touches significantly on group health plans, is telemedicine. From 2016 to 2017, insurance claims for services rendered via telehealth ― as a percentage of all medical claim lines ― grew 53% nationally, faster than any other avenue of care, according to “FH
Telemedicine Taking Off, Reducing Health Costs Read More »
Starting Jan. 1, 2020, employers can establish accounts for their employees to help them pay for individual health insurance policies they purchase, as well as for other health care expenses. A new regulation expands on how health reimbursement accounts can be used. Currently, employers and their workers can contribute to these accounts, which can be
New Rules Allow Employers to Reimburse for Health Premiums Read More »
OSHA has published a set of guidelines to help employers reduce accidents among their driving employees. The document is not a set of new regulations or a new standard. It is only advisory ― the federal agency describes it as “informational in content” ― and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and
New Booklet Helps Employers Set Up Safe Driving Programs Read More »
A new study has found that many people in employer-sponsored health plans are enrolling in plans that are costing them more than they ought to be paying. Many employees choose pricey plans with low deductibles, which force them to spend more up front on premiums to save just a few hundred dollars on their deductible.
Many Employees Choosing the Wrong Health Plans Read More »
The Trump administration on Nov. 15 announced two rules that would require more transparency in hospital pricing and health insurance out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. The final rule on hospital pricing will require hospitals to publish their standard fees both on-demand and online starting Jan. 1, 2021, as well as the rates they negotiate with insurers.
New Rules Aim for Hospital, Insurer Transparency Read More »
In a move that exemplifies the potential conflict of interest that some large pharmacy benefit managers have, the nation’s largest PBM earlier this year said it would demand that rebates remain unchanged when drug makers roll out new price cuts. Drug makers earlier in the year said they would start reducing prices as well as
Large PBMs Balk at Push to Reduce Drug Prices Read More »
By now you should be prepared and ready to go for your 2020 employee benefits open enrollment. You should have all your plan documents and have prepared or held presentations for your staff to explain the benefits package and any major changes to the plans that you offer. Employees should be familiar with how to
Your Last-Minute Open Enrollment Checklist Read More »
This is the face you make after a minor mishap with filming!
My introduction before Craig Lack is now long lost footage.
That’s show biz, right?!
The good news is that Craig is talking about the strategies we’re both using to help organizations liberate the dollars trapped in their health spend.
I’m available after you watch and learn to talk the nitty gritty – how it works, implementation, executive buy-in and employee adoption.
Happy Watching!
