By now most have heard of the technology that is said to be ‘shaping the future of healthcare’. Many consider telemedicine, also referred to as telehealth, to be a viable option for care, bringing incredible value to patients by offering both convenience and efficiency. But, maybe you’re not yet convinced. Or, maybe you’re not fully [...]
The article below is from Kaiser Health News, written by Bruce Horovitz and Julie Appleby A screenshot from an ad by Pfizer, the maker of Lyrica. (iSpot.tv) Laura Ries was moved to action when she saw a TV commercial that portrayed a woman enjoying time with her grandchildren after taking Lyrica, a prescription [...]
The death rate from heart disease rose 0.9% last year, per U.S. mortality data released by the CDC. Researchers link the increase to obesity and diabetes. Death rates from heart disease were declining due to anti-smoking campaigns and medications to control blood pressure and cholesterol. The findings signal a reversal of a trend that has [...]
NAHU is very concerned about current proposals in Congress that would undermine the employer-sponsored health insurance system by eliminating or placing a cap on the employer-tax exclusion for health insurance. Eliminating the exclusion would also eliminate most of the advantages of employer-sponsored insurance while capping it would degrade the benefit and serve as a tax [...]
The article below is from International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, written by Teri Dougherty Governor Scott Walker recently proposed self-funding Wisconsin’s $1.5 billion health insurance program for 250,000 state and local government workers and their dependents. For now, it is a proposal that is being heavily debated in the Wisconsin State Legislatures Joint Finance [...]
In a prior newsletter, we reported on the City of Philadelphia’s intentions to tax sugary and sweetened drinks. While the beverage industry and retailers sued saying the tax is unconstitutional, a judge recently dismissed the legal effort, clearing the way for the 15 cent per ounce tax to take effect January 1, 2017. While Philadelphia [...]
The Employee Benefit Research Institute reports that nearly 20% of mid-sized employers made the jump to self-insurance from 2013 to 2015. A major attraction is the availability of data and analytics, enabling the employer to learn how healthcare dollars are being spent. A growing number of employers are using this data to incentivize employees who [...]
The article below is from SIIA eBlast on March 1, 2017 Photo from SIIA eBlast March 1, 2017- The U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce has concluded a hearing today where it heard testimony from SIIA Chairman Jay Ritchie on the Self-Insurance Protection Act (SIPA). The hearing, entitled "Legislative Proposals to Improve [...]
The article below is from Crain's New York Business, written by Caroline Lewis Park Slope Food Coop is among the employers that could be forced to join the small-group health insurance market Photo: Flickr/Wally Gobetz Faced with rising premiums in the group health insurance market, the Park Slope Food Coop opted five years [...]
Results from Kaiser Family Foundation research show that while fewer small employers offered health benefits last year than 15 years earlier in 2000, and finding affordable coverage is a challenge, interest in small group plans is growing among companies with 3 to 50 employees.
