"[EO 14221] directs the federal government to improve existing price transparency requirements, increase enforcement of price transparency requirements and identify opportunities to further empower patients with meaningful price information."  MORE >>

"[HHS] has extended the effective date of its final rule updating electronic transaction standards for retail pharmacy transactions under [HIPAA] ... The new effective date is April 14, 2025.... If not amended by the Trump administration, the final rule will adopt updated National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) electronic retail pharmacy transaction standards."  MORE >>

"[M]any employers are aware that there is a Form 5500 requirement for retirement plans each year. However, many employers don't also realize that there may be a Form 5500 requirement for health and welfare plans as well, including for medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability, and any other ERISA benefit. While both requirements utilize the same IRS form, these are two separate requirements that cannot be combined under one filing."  MORE >>

43 presentation slides. Topics:  [1] Transparency laws; [2]  Fiduciary breach litigation; [3] Increased regulatory attention; [4] Employer action steps.  MORE >>

"Cybersecurity is often a risk left to the IT department. However, doing so may leave even the most ardent IT professional ill equipped or insufficiently informed about the threats and vulnerabilities of the particular service provider. When it come to ERISA plans, this means properly assessing the threats and vulnerabilities as they relate to the aspects of plan administration being handled by the service provider."  MORE >>

"[P]revious failed attempts by the [Ohio] legislature ... missed the mark and would have added more regulations and fees on Ohio businesses, employees and all Ohioans ... Instead of mandating a subsidy from small businesses and employees to benefit independent pharmacies in the state, lawmakers should focus on the very relevant issue the business community is sounding the alarm on -- health care costs are too high."  MORE >>

"Policy makers, providers, and payers have failed to meaningfully engage patients in value-based care. It is clear that patients at large are unaware of, and perhaps unaffected by, the VBP initiatives to date that aimed to make our care delivery system more patient-centric. This is particularly disappointing in the face of continuous effort to engage patient advocacy organizations in developing VBP programs."  MORE >>

"In an extended interview [North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner] talked about the health plan's recent change to a new administrator. Briner also talked about the potential for bringing popular weight-loss drugs back into the coverage plan. And he discussed Bitcoin's role in boosting returns for pension plan members -- and revealed plans for proposed legislation aimed at adding checks-and-balances for the state employees who manage the state pension plan."  MORE >>

"Healthcare costs are grossly underestimated.... Rising costs and advancements in technology increase financial burden.... Investors are considering asset spend-down to qualify for Medicaid.  ... Concerns over long-term care costs are amplified among financial professionals surveyed.... Personal experience drives better preparedness."  MORE >>