"With just over two months before the conclusion of the national emergency, employers that continue to provide assistance on the basis of Code Section 139 should ... [1] Coordinate with tax, human resources, and third-party fringe benefits service providers to determine how to adapt personal and living expense-related benefits offerings to a post-national emergency setting.... [2] Communicate forthcoming changes to affected employees ... so that employees have sufficient time to adapt to the changes in fringe benefits offerings, out-of-pocket cost, or net tax impact."  MORE >>

"The gag clause prohibition took effect upon enactment of the CAA, 2021 in December 2020, so problematic provisions should already have been excised from agreements. In preparation for the first attestation deadline, plan sponsors and insurers should review the instructions and technical guidance -- and confirm that no prohibited provisions remain in their agreements."  MORE >>

"Eli Lilly and Company ... announced price reductions of 70% for its most commonly prescribed insulins and an expansion of its Insulin Value Program that caps patient out-of-pocket costs at $35 or less per month. Lilly is taking these actions to make it easier to access Lilly insulin and help Americans who may have difficulty navigating a complex healthcare system that may keep them from getting affordable insulin."  MORE >>

"Congress has repeatedly attempted to address high drug prices through legislation, including bills that seek to increase generic competition, lower prices for certain health care entities ... and regulate drug price negotiations through the Medicare program. Congress has also proposed to cap out-of-pocket Medicare costs, increase drug price transparency, permit more drug importation, and regulate pharmacy benefit managers. This In Focus reviews several issues affecting drug prices of potential interest to the 118th Congress." [IF12337 Mar. 1, 2023]  MORE >>

"The efficiencies gained when providers operate as a health system don't always translate to care that is more cost-effective ... Paid prices were 31% higher if a hospital was part of a system ... while payments to system physicians ranged between 12% and 26% higher. The gap especially was pronounced for smaller practices."  MORE >>

"In the era of abortion regulation and the wind-down of the COVID-19 public health emergency ... new legislation in states such as Utah may be a sign of what is to come for online and telehealth prescribing.... [O]ther states have turned their attention to online pharmacies and telehealth providers.... [R]apidly changing state laws must be read together with existing federal requirements and in the context of other types of guidance released by different federal enforcement agencies, all of which is also in a state of flux."  MORE >>

"The average plan could pay for approximately one year and four months of benefits and expenses with its net assets, an increase of approximately two months of total expenses from last year. This is a larger increase than the prior two years' increases. Total income exceeded total expenses by 12.5%.... The average investment return was 10.5% in 2020, compared to 9.0% in 2019."  MORE >>

"The CMS notice advises that disputing parties should continue to engage in all other aspects of the federal IDR process, including submitting fees and offers. The agencies are working to complete guidance and system updates to reflect the February 6th court order while simultaneously battling a backlog of disputes."  MORE >>

"A record 43% of businesses classify themselves as 'growing.' These businesses are concerned with retaining talented employees and want to offer more employee and key employee benefits. Almost 80% of growing businesses say their benefit package improves the ability to recruit and retain employees. And 74% say it improves productivity."  MORE >>