Did you know self-funded plans are required to comply with ERISA guidelines? Typically when we think of ERISA we think of pensions and retirement benefits. However, even though the plan pays for healthcare coverage, a self-funded plan is fundamentally a pool of money. And that money needs to be insured. In order to protect the members, ERISA covers the plan and its fiduciaries. Continue Reading >

When 79 percent of Americans agree about something, politicians take notice. That’s the percentage of people who consider drug prices “unreasonable,” according to a 2019 KFF poll. Outrage about rising prescription drugs costs has reached a fever pitch. However, these feelings are nothing new. Early in his presidency,  the Trump administration vowed to make medication more affordable for American patients. They unveiled a new policy with the claim to reduce drug costs. So have they delivered? Continue Reading >

Do you know the most common type of cancer in the U.S.? Judging by awareness ads, personal experiences and the GoFundMe pages you see shared on social media, you might assume that breast or lung cancers are the biggest threat. Skin cancer, you might assume, falls somewhere down the list. You see plenty of pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness and billboards about the dangers of smoking, but have you seen many mentions of skin cancer lately? This May, hopefully you will. Continue Reading >

If only a crystal ball or portal to another time could help us predict the future of American health care. Heck, even a Magic 8 ball with a high rate of accuracy could be useful. Alas, no such magic device exists (we think), so the confusion and uncertainty that surround health care and insurance aren’t ending anytime soon. Many people agree that our current system is broken, but no simple solution exists to bring down costs and give all Americans access to the care they need. Considering the political discord around this issue, it seems unlikely that a major change – like a move to a single-payer system – is just around the corner. So what does that have to do with self funded insurance? Continue Reading >

Amazon now offers original movies and TV shows, grocery delivery, two-day shipping – and stop-loss insurance? It’s a possibility, now that the company is turning its attention to healthcare and health insurance technology. Continue Reading >

The human's natural instincts for curiosity are not always about being nosy: other considerations, such as financial transparency, help to distinguish what is right and fair within the healthcare industry. Going into an operation with some sort of estimated rate for services and goods keeps patients from being exploited and overcharged. In this case, being nosy can benefit Americans greatly with their health costs. Continue Reading >

Americans don’t agree on much, but everyone acknowledges that healthcare costs are just too high. Ballooning insurance costs translate to financial strain, which trickles down to employees in the form of budget cuts and staffing changes. That’s why it makes so much sense to include employees in discussions about rising healthcare costs. That might represent a radical change from the status quo in some companies, but it’s a change worth making. Employee engagement looks different in each company, and it’s up to the employer to find the blend of programs and initiatives that’s most beneficial – both for employee health and satisfaction, and for the bottom line. Continue Reading >

American Medical Strategies has released its fourth annual list of the five most researched diagnoses in its PredictDx system. Three of the top five spots were held by cancers in 2017. Continue Reading >

Hiring a stop loss insurance broker entrusts the specialist with the betterment of your insurance and risk management. To ensure your stop loss insurance broker is acting in your best interest, certain questions must be asked during the hiring process. Continue Reading >