"The agencies' letter warned recipients that the use of tracking technologies may result in impermissible disclosures of personal health information. The agencies reminded recipients that their use of tracking technologies must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability of 1996 (HIPAA) or the FTC's Health Breach Notification Rule, as applicable."  MORE >>

"A new Louisiana law goes into effect on August 1, 2023 ... [which] requires employers in Louisiana to provide employees a one-day leave of absence from work to obtain genetic testing or for cancer screening as long as it is medically necessary."  MORE >>

"The minimum healthcare expenditure rates for the 2024 calendar year will be approximate 2.5 percent higher than the 2023 rates.... [C]overed employers ... include those that own, control, or operate either a Seattle hotel or motel with 100 or more guest rooms on an 'ancillary hotel business' of 50 or more employees worldwide."  MORE >>

"[On July 20,] the Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to warn that some of its previous advocacy statements related to PBMs are outdated and no longer reflect current market realities. The decision effectively removes a major line of defense for the PBM-insurers in litigation, arbitration, and lobbying against state and federal reforms."  MORE >>

"A group insurance captive is a strategic healthcare funding arrangement between multiple like-minded employers. Together, these employers can pool risk, leverage economies of scale, and create their own high-performing health plan."  MORE >>

"The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) identifies the Part D drugs on which Medicare spends the most money.... In 2021, Medicare Part D covered more than 3,500 prescription drug products, with total gross spending of $216 billion, not accounting for rebates paid by drug manufacturers to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The 10 top-selling Part D drugs accounted for 0.3% of covered drugs and 22% of total gross Medicare drug spending in 2021…The top 100 drugs, representing just 3% of covered drugs, accounted for 61% of total gross spending that year."  MORE >>

"Under current law, employer contributions toward the cost of tax-qualified LTCI, while not typical, are excluded from the gross income of an employee. Self-employed individuals may include LTCI premiums in calculating their deductions along with other health insurance premiums. Only amounts less than or equal to the age-adjusted limits can be deducted or excluded from taxable income." [IF11614 updated Jul. 21, 2023]  MORE >>

"House Republicans have advanced a package of bills that could reduce health insurance costs for certain businesses and consumers, partly by rolling back some consumer protections. Rather than outright repeal, however, the subtler effort could allow more employers to bypass the landmark health insurance overhaul's basic benefits requirements and most state standards. At the same time, the Biden administration seeks to undo some of the previous administration's health insurance rules, proposing to retighten regulations for short-term plans."  MORE >>

"By July 31, employers that sponsor self-funded medical plans must report and pay their PCORI fee. By July 31, employers that sponsor calendar-year employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA must file a Form 5500 (unless an exception applies) or request an extension by filing a Form 5558."  MORE >>