Prescription Drugs Archives - Word on Benefits

Prescription Drug Plans: Spread Pricing Explainer

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

07 Mar 202407 Mar 2024

Lawmakers, employers, consumer groups and other stakeholders have called for more transparency from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Lack of transparency enables PBMs to engage in the practice of spread pricing where PBMs charge health plans more than they pay pharmacies for the […]

Canada Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) Prescription Drugs

GLP-1 Drug Coverage in Canada

Cara McMullin

12 Feb 202421 Feb 2024

A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals results from a group of Canadian employers regarding considerations and coverage for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs, which have historically been used to treat diabetes and are increasingly being used […]

Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Flexible Work Options LGBTQ+ Mental Health Prescription Drugs

Six Benefit Trends Making Our List for 2023

Anne Patterson

20 Dec 202320 Dec 2023

It’s THAT time of year, and the Talking Benefits pod squad is keeping up with our annual tradition of reviewing the top benefit trends of the year. We identified six big benefits trends that shaped our industry in 2023, and they are […]

AI Benefits Magazine Employee Benefits Health Care Prescription Drugs

Magazine Extra: Employee Benefits Join the Genomic Revolution Toward Precision Medicine

Guest Contributor

21 Nov 202329 Jan 2024

Employers and plan sponsors that want to offer genomic testing access and education to employees and their dependents have options to do so through workplace benefits. What kinds of tests are available, and what are the pros and cons?

Communication Employee Benefits Health Care Prescription Drugs U.S. Wellness

Employers Grapple with Claims Costs versus Outcomes of GLP-1 Drugs

Anne Patterson

14 Nov 202314 Nov 2023

A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals U.S. employer coverage and considerations surrounding glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs, which have historically been used to treat diabetes. These drugs were also found to cause weight loss and have […]

Canada Employee Benefits Prescription Drugs Wellness

Benefit Trends Making Headlines: What to Know Now

Alyssa Hodder

01 Nov 202301 Nov 2023

Weight loss drugs have remained the headlines for most of 2023 due to their impact on diseases like obesity and diabetes. We asked Barbara A. Martinez, National Practice Leader, Drug Solutions at Canada Life to share her insights on benefit trends, GLP-1 […]

Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Prescription Drugs

PBM Reform Momentum Heats Up

Amanda Wilke

08 Jun 202308 Jun 2023

The fight to lower prescription drug costs is underway. Congress has introduced a handful of bipartisan bills aiming to tackle drug prices by increasing transparency on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their practices that increase drug prices for group health plans. Congressional […]

Employee Benefits Health Care Prescription Drugs

RxDC Reporting Due June 1: Here’s What to Know

Anne Newhouse

16 May 202316 May 2023

Prescription drug data collection (RxDC) is the new reporting process required by Section 204 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). The reporting is meant to capture data on prescription drug (Rx) pricing trends, reimbursement amounts including rebates, identify how Rx costs […]

Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Health Care Human Resources (HR) Insurance Prescription Drugs U.S. Wellness

The Rise of Gender-Affirmation Health Care Benefits

Anne Patterson

11 May 202318 Oct 2023

Gender-affirmation health care benefit offerings have been on the rise over the past seven years, according to survey data from the International Foundation. Up from 12 percent in 2016, 30 percent of U.S. employers now offer the benefit. I spoke with Julie […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliance DOL Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) Insurance Prescription Drugs

**ACA Preventive Services Requirements Struck Down: Braidwood Management v. Becerra Explainer**

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

26 Apr 202326 Apr 2023

As a result of ongoing litigation, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (the departments) cannot enforce some Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventive care requirements, but the departments strongly encourage plan sponsors to keep coverage without […]