90 Degree Benefits News 90 and Administrator 

When a patient experienced a medical emergency requiring heart surgery, charges at a hospital known for refusing to negotiate totaled $813,330. By establishing direct lines of communication with key stakeholders, CareConnect secured an agreement at 150% of Medicare rates, helping the plan sponsor and its members avoid excessive costs.

Bipartisan lawmakers are preparing to take their fight with PBMs to a new level in the next Congress. A group led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) has introduced legislation that would force all organizations that own health insurers to divest any interest in a pharmacy business within three years.

According to the 2023 KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey, two-thirds of U.S. workers are covered by self-funded or partially self-funded health plans—evidence that self-funding still works.

After a decades-long search for ways to help employees use their health plan to better navigate a complicated system, Artificial Intelligence (AI) may have the power to finally move the employee engagement needle.

With industry analysts estimating that childcare payments have increased by more than 30% since 2019, more employers are looking for creative ways to help.

Health benefits costs continue to pose a greater burden for employers and plan members with underlying costs of care projected to rise by up to 7% in 2024. The New Year is a perfect time to review an approach for achieving lower costs and higher quality care.