Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
Breaking Down Federal Health Care Spending: Where Does $1.9 Trillion Go?
In fiscal year 2024, the federal government allocated $1.9 trillion to health care programs and services, representing 27% of total federal expenditures and marking it as the largest category of federal spending. Additionally, tax subsidies for employer-sponsored...
Governor Pritzker Takes Action to Lower Prescription Drug Costs and Support Independent Pharmacies
In a concerted effort to reduce prescription drug costs, Governor JB Pritzker has introduced the Prescription Drug Affordability Act (PDAA) as a key legislative priority for 2025. Following his State of the State budget address, the Governor engaged with legislators...
Inside America’s Hospitals: Costs, Challenges, and Changing Trends
Hospitals play a pivotal role in the U.S. healthcare system, accounting for a significant portion of national health expenditures. In 2023, spending on hospital care reached $1.5 trillion, representing nearly one-third (31%) of total healthcare spending. This...
Ozempic helps curb alcohol use in new study
Recent research indicates that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may significantly reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). A study published in JAMA Psychiatry involved 48 participants diagnosed with AUD. Over...
States Struggle with Rising Costs of Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic
The escalating costs of weight-loss medications, particularly GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, are prompting several states to reconsider their coverage policies for state employees. In Colorado, expenditures on these medications have more than quadrupled from...
The Future Of Insurance: Fintech 50 2020
Forbes.com reports: "We made insurance its own category on this year’s Fintech 50 list. Why? It’s hot. Global funding for insurtech companies jumped from $4.4 billion (410 deals) in 2018 to $6.8 billion (476 deals) last year, according to Accenture. There are...
New Tool To Determine HRA Affordability
Starting on January 1, 2020, employers will be able to help their employees pay for qualified medical costs–such as premiums for an Individual Marketplace plan–through a new individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (ICHRA). An ICHRA is an alternative to a...
9 Health Insurance Acronyms Small Business Owners Should Know
Small Business Trends reports: "Many health insurance acronyms float around these days. In the past, people counted on essentially two health care options. They included traditional group health insurance and, for seniors, Medicare. Today, you’ll find a number of...
13 Employee Benefits You Should Consider Offering
The Libertarian Replublic reports: "It can be a real challenge for a small business to keep employees interested in sticking around for the long haul. Larger companies always seem to have the upper hand, especially when it comes to offering enticing employee benefits....
House Passes Health Care ‘Cadillac Tax’ Repeal Bill
The S HR M reports: "The U.S. House of Representatives voted on July 17 to abolish the so-called "Cadillac tax" on employer-sponsored high-value health plans, set to take effect in 2022. If the Senate passes the measure and the president signs it into law, the threat...