"The Centers for Disease Control released updated opiate prescription guidance ... loosening restrictions on prescription of the pain management narcotics under certain conditions.... [D]epending on the plan design, the revised restrictions may have implications for prescription drug coverage design and practices. Easing availability even under these new standards also likely will increase access, creating additional concerns for employers and plans about addiction and associated costs."  MORE >>

"[B]etween 2013 and 2019, the share of total medical expenditures paid out of pocket by patients increased, from 17.4 percent to 19 percent.... [P]atients are increasingly enrolling in plans with higher deductibles. This is driving up out-of-pocket expenses in the aggregate, even though out-of-pocket expenses in higher-deductible plans have remained flat or have decreased[.]"  MORE >>

"The right outsourcing partner can help maximize efficiency by giving you access to benefits software that handles everything from selection rollouts to data analytics to COBRA management. Look for an outsourcing partner than can offer a single system where all your benefits management information is in one place. That way, benefit selections are visible and quick to find, whether you're onboarding a crew of new hires, managing a company-wide enrollment period, or sunsetting an offboarded employee with a COBRA package."  MORE >>