90 Degree Benefits News 90 and Administrator 

The Winter 2026 edition of Administrator highlights the healthcare trends shaping today’s benefits landscape. Explore how 90 Degree Benefits achieved a 27% reduction in healthcare costs, along with insights on TrumpRx, HDHPs, transparency, and Gen Z wellness. A smart, timely read for employers and brokers alike.

Employers are under constant pressure to balance healthcare cost, quality, and access. 90 Degree Benefits integrates cost containment and member navigation programs to achieve all three. When financial and logistical barriers are removed, the result is a better experience for everyone.

The TPA market is experiencing annual growth of around 10%. Annual premium increases are just one factor causing plan sponsors to explore other funding options. Experts say an increasing presence of chronic conditions fueled a need for greater operating efficiency and cost transparency.

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.