Prescription Drugs Archives - Word on Benefits

New Technologies Driving Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

05 May 202605 May 2026

New statistics and articles about the climbing costs of health care are released almost every day, indicating that this is a pressing issue for plan sponsors. In 2025, the International Foundation released the Health Care Costs Pulse Survey: 2026 Cost Trend, which […]

Health Care Prescription Drugs Regulatory U.S. Webcast

TrumpRx and the Impacts to Prescription Drug Plan Sponsors

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

05 Mar 202605 Mar 2026

Today’s blog will focus on TrumpRx and related considerations for plan sponsors.

Compliance DOL Employee Benefits ERISA Health Care Prescription Drugs Regulatory U.S.

PBM Fee Disclosure Regulatory and Legislative Update

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

27 Feb 202627 Feb 2026

Today’s blog details a proposed rule from the DOL that would bring transparency to the the fees and compensation PBMs receive from ERISA self-insured plans.

Calculator, spilled pills and banknotes on white background, concept for medical expenses

Employee Benefits Health Care Legislative Prescription Drugs Regulatory U.S.

PBM Rebates Explainer

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

19 Dec 202519 Dec 2025

Legislative and regulatory developments on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) oversight continue to be released—today’s blog covers how rebates will be impacted.

Health Care Prescription Drugs Regulatory U.S.

Executive Order on Drug Discounts Has Uncertain Impact on Employers’ Price Negotiations

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

19 Nov 202519 Nov 2025

Today’s blog highlights uncertainties for employers and plan sponsors to consider as they await further developments on TrumpRx.

Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Prescription Drugs U.S.

GLP-1s in Group Health Plans: What’s on the Watchlist

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

21 Aug 202521 Aug 2025

As the cost of health care continues to rise and employers contemplate their upcoming health insurance renewals, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications remain top of mind. While GLP-1 use is not new for conditions like diabetes or obesity, the utilization of these medications […]

Pill bottles and large amount of Canadian one hundred dollar bills.

Canada Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Prescription Drugs

Drug Plan Cost-Containment Strategies

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

15 Jul 202515 Jul 2025

Today’s blog shares strategies for extended health coverage plans to consider as drug plan costs are projected to increase between 6% and 9%.

Communication Compliance Employee Benefits Health Care Prescription Drugs Regulatory U.S.

CMS Creditable Coverage Updates for Group Health Plans

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

17 Jun 202517 Jun 2025

One of the annual reporting obligations for both fully insured and self-funded health plans is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage notice. The reporting requirement for plan sponsors has two components: the first is to […]

Open pharmacy pill containers on a pile of 20 dollar bills.

Compliance DOL Employee Benefits ERISA Health Care Legislative Prescription Drugs U.S.

What the Executive Order Increasing PBM Fee Transparency Means for Employers

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

29 May 202529 May 2025

On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed the executive order (EO) “Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First,” which includes specific actions to be taken by federal agencies to reduce prescription drug costs, improve transparency and increase competition in the […]

Canada Employee Benefits Health Care Prescription Drugs

GLP-1 Drug Coverage Continues to Rise in Canada

Rebecca Plier

22 May 202522 May 2025

New Survey Data Reveals Prior Authorization or Other Utilization Management Strategies, Eligibility Requirements, Annual Maximum as Leading Cost Control Methods A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals updated Canadian employer coverage and cost-control mechanisms surrounding glucagon-like […]