A number of plan sponsors have made changes to their group health plans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as covering testing and sometimes treatment without any cost-sharing by the plan enrollee. But any changes that are made must be followed up by amending the plan and communicating the changes to the enrollees. Under […]
COVID-19 Changes to Health Plans Must Be Documented, Circulated Read More »
The buzz around health insurance right now is all about user experience and access to care. The problem is two-fold: insurance literacy and health literacy. Would it surprise you to learnthat 90% of employees do not know the difference between a copay,coinsurance,and a deductible?While that may seempretty basic to people like me in the insurance industry,this lack
Lower Your Health Care Costs by Offering High Quality Service Read More »
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new guidance regarding how Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can respond to enrollees affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the guidance, the plans are authorized, but not required to waive out-of-pocket costs for testing, treatment and other services related to the coronavirus. The rules come
Medicare Advantage, Part D Plans Get COVID-19 Leeway Read More »
Have you ever wondered if large employers get a better deal on health care costs? The answer is a resounding yes. That doesn’t seem quite fair as an SME employer does it? Well, what if I told you that you could buy health care the same way that they do through a direct contract? A direct
The Secret of Direct Contracts Read More »
For most employers, prescription spend.. drug costs… are steadily increasing. In fact, pharmacy costs account for almost 25% of most employers’ health care budget every year. The Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), is a company that manages your prescriptions, including allowable medications on your formulary, what you pay for them, what the manufacturer paid for them, and
The Real Price of Your Prescriptions Read More »
Direct primary care (DPC) is a strategy to control your healthcare spend and deliver a white glove experience to your employees at a much lower cost than traditional health insurance plans. That it is a tool to help you shrink your healthcare budget and make it controllable and predictable for you is a bonus… a
Take Advantage of Direct Primary Care Read More »
The IRS has issued new emergency guidance that allows insurers to waive the cost of coronavirus testing and treatment for individuals who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Major health insurers report they’ve been concerned that if they can make the change to their high-deductible plans without breaching IRS regulations regarding such plans. Specifically,
IRS Allows HDHPs to Pay for COVID-19 Testing, Treatment Pre-Deductible Read More »
The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus law to help American workers and businesses weather the outbreak has a number of provisions that employers and their workers need to know about and can take advantage of during this crisis. The CARES Act includes provision for: Extended unemployment benefits. Requiring health
CARES Act Helps Coronavirus-affected Employers, Employees Alike 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 »
Legislation signed into law by President Trump will extend sick leave benefits for workers who are sickened by the coronavirus, as well as provide for additional weeks of time off under the Family Medical Leave Act so they can be guaranteed of being able to return to their jobs afterwards. Public and private employers alike
New Law Requires COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave, FMLA Benefits 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!
