"[A]greements have been signed with manufacturers of the 15 drugs covered under Medicare Part D selected for the second cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This is an important step in the process which initiates the negotiation period between the manufacturer and CMS."  MORE >>

"Notice 2025-15 ... provides guidance on how employers can avoid providing individual Forms 1095-C to their employees.... [It] essentially piggybacks on existing guidance that applies to insurance carriers and other coverage providers."  MORE >>

"Plaintiffs sought an external review, as allowed by the insurance plan ... [and] submitted an appeal letter and several exhibits, which Cigna did not review or include in the administrative record produced in the subsequent litigation.... The court rejected Cigna's argument that documents must be reviewed by the plan administrator to be included in the record.... The court noted that the external reviewer's decision, which was binding on Cigna, inherently informed Cigna's ultimate decision on the benefits claim." [Noelle E. v. Cigna Health & Life Ins. Co., 23-0686 (D. Utah Mar. 10, 2025)]  MORE >>

"The complaint claims the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by 'agreeing to grossly inflated prescription drug prices, costing the JPMorgan Plan and its participants/beneficiaries millions of dollars through higher payments for prescription drugs, higher premiums, higher out-of-pocket costs, higher costs, higher deductibles, higher coinsurance, higher copays and suppressed wages.' " [Stern v. JPMorgan Chase & Co., No. 25-2097 (S.D.N.Y. complaint filed Mar. 13, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[T]here is significant variation in the affordability of premiums and deductibles across the country. Total annual premiums for single coverage ranged from an average of $7,243 in Mississippi to $9,662 in New Jersey in 2023. Across the states, employers pay for 65 percent to 85 percent of health insurance premiums and workers contribute the balance."  MORE >>

"[O]nly 24% of employers currently provide subsidized health coverage in retirement.... [T]he average healthy 65-year-old can expect to spend up to $281,000 (male) or $320,000 (female) on healthcare costs in retirement, which translates to $188,000 (or $207,000 for a female) needed in savings today. ... [T]his paper offers a number of effective methods to save for healthcare costs not covered by federal programs such as Medicare. It also provides options for employers that support these strategies."  MORE >>

"According to a recent ... survey, 8 out of 10 human resources (HR) professionals report difficulties convincing senior executives that investing in childcare benefits for workers is beneficial.... HR professionals say that lack of knowledge about employees' needs is a contributing factor to the executives' uncertainty about embracing enhanced childcare benefits."  MORE >>

"Dr. Mehmet Oz ... said he wants to empower Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries ... by giving them better tools and more transparency and increasing health-related interactions that occur outside formal appointments.... Oz would consider ways to negate the influence of MA plan brokers and agents, potentially by expanding plan enrollment to cover multiple years.... Oz said telehealth can better support rural healthcare if CMS forges cohesive partnerships between smaller facilities and large health systems."  MORE >>

"While pharmacies commonly allow members to add a dependent to their account, retail pharmacy Kroger Pharmacy and online pharmacy DiRx uniquely offer pet profiles. With these profiles, pet owners can conveniently manage, order and refill their prescriptions, along with their pets', from a single account."  MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in parts of West Virginia affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Feb. 15, 2025 ... now have until Nov. 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... Currently, individuals and households that reside or have a business in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming counties qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>

"[R]ecent federal appeals court decisions highlight some limits on enforcement of commercial contracts' arbitration provisions, especially when it comes to employee benefit plans.... [It] is appropriate to demand that plan participants promise to arbitrate any disputes the participants may have with an employee benefit plan and its trustees and sponsors. It is also appropriate for the plan to limit any such arbitration to individual claims."  MORE >>

"[ERISA's] broad venue provision gives plaintiffs multiple options for where to file suit. Participants and beneficiaries gain flexibility to choose locations that offer convenience or strategic advantages.... ERISA's statutory venue provision offers breadth. However, forum-selection clauses can limit where participants may file by requiring a specific court or location to hear the case."  MORE >>