News
News
U.S. Drug Spending Climbs
The Wall Street Journal reported that, according to IMS Health research, total spending on prescription drugs in the U.S. rose 12.2% to nearly $425 billion in 2015, fueled by the introduction of expensive new drugs for cancer and infections, as well as price hikes for older drugs.
April Is Autism Awareness Month
The aim of this month is to educate the public about autism. Autism is a complex mental condition and developmental disability, characterized by difficulties in the way a person communicates and interacts with other people. Autism can be present from birth or form during early childhood (typically within the first three years). Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no single known cause.
Carrier Corner: April 2016
Engagement Strategies For Wellness Programs
Learn more about engagement strategies for wellness programs based on generation information (i.e. Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1978), and Generation Y / Millennials (1979-1997)).
Key Regulations In 2017 Benefit Payment And Parameters
Learn about 2017 Out-of-Pocket Maximums, Marketplace Enrollment Period, Marketplace Automatic Reenrollment, Standardized Plan Options In The Individual Marketplace, and Changes To Federally Facilitated SHOP Plans.
‘Grandmothered’ Plans Receive Extension
On February 29th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for the 2017 coverage year and the final Letter to Issuers. In the final 2017 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters, CMS announced that in states where “grandmothered” or “transitional” plans are still allowed, states and issuers will be able to continue to renew them at their option as long as these policies end by December 31, 2017. Previous guidance required these policies to terminate by October 1, 2017.