HDHPs Do Not Slow Down Health Care Spending: Study
A new study has found that high-deductible health plans have only a limited effect on the growth of health care spending for people who sign on for these plans. The National Bureau of Economic Research researched HDHPs over a period of
100% COBRA Subsidy in Effect Through Sept. 30
The recently enacted American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes a 100% COBRA subsidy for up to six months for employees laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsidy is in effect through September 30. Due to the short ramping up
Group Health Plans Must Cover COVID-19 Testing for Asymptomatic People
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in late February that private group health plans cannot deny coverage or impose cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, regardless of whether or not the patient is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed
HHS Proposes Higher Cost-Sharing Limits for 2022
The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed cost-sharing limits that would apply to all Affordable Care Act-compliant health insurance policies for the 2022 policy year. The ACA imposes annual out-of-pocket maximums on the amount that an enrollee in a
IRS Lets Employers Give Workers a Break on FSA Contributions, Health Plan Rules
New guidance from the Internal Revenue Service allows employers to temporarily give their employees extra benefits leeway in making changes to their flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). The guidance, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, also allows
The Top Five Health Conditions Driving Insurance Costs
A new study has identified the top five health conditions that are driving the overall cost of group health plan outlays, and without which spending would actually be falling. The report is enlightening, and employers can use the findings to offer
Generics and Biosimilars the Key to Reducing Drug Spending
The soaring cost of new prescription drugs is becoming a major driver in overall health insurance price increases, and some of those drugs are so expensive that they are out of reach for the average patient. When people can't afford the
CMS Approves Medicare Coverage of ‘Breakthrough’ Medical Devices
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new rules that require Medicare to cover medical devices that the Food and Drug Administration designates as "breakthrough" technology. The rule paves the way for giving Medicare recipients access to the latest
EEOC Issues New COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines for Employers
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has affirmed that employers can mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employees, subject to some limitations. The EEOC’s updated guidance offers direction regarding employer-mandated vaccinations, accommodations for employees who cannot be vaccinated due to a disability or sincerely
Trimming Hours to Avoid Employer Mandate Can Land You in Hot Water
Ever since the Affordable Care Act was enacted, critics of the law have said that employers would cut staff or reduce workers' hours to avoid coming under the employer mandate requiring them to provide coverage for their staff. But employers that