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Industry Updates

This broad category includes articles concerning health insurance costs, carrier and health plan news, changing benefits technology, and surveys by the Kaiser Family Foundation and others on employee benefits.

Obamacare Agent, Broker Activity Tackled in HHS Proposal

Proposed guidelines for operating Obamacare insurance exchanges in 2026 call for tightening protections against unauthorized actions by agents and brokers who help consumers enroll in coverage. The proposal, released Friday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, sets standards for health insurers and ACA marketplaces, as well as requirements for agents, brokers, and others ...

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Employers Seeking To Avoid Cost-Shifting Even As Expenses Continue To Rise

As employers face rising costs, many are looking to rethink plan designs rather than emphasize shifting expenses to workers, according to a new WTW report.

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CVS To Cut 2,900 Jobs And Is Reportedly Mulling A Breakup

The layoffs will be focused on corporate jobs, not frontline pharmacy, retail, or distribution workers, but more dramatic changes could be coming soon

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Hurricane Sends New Shudders Through Health Supply Chain

The already fragile medical supply chain is facing more stress this week, after Hurricane Helene ravaged a huge Baxter International plant in North Carolina that makes IV fluids for many U.S. hospitals. Why it matters: While the damage hasn’t been totaled up, and the company says it’s lining up backup plants and making other contingencies, the closure of ...

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HHS Releases Cost Savings For 54 Prescriptions Including Cancer Drug

The Biden administration is once again trumpeting the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program to prove to voters it is lowering drug prices. Through the program, 54 drugs will be less expensive for Medicare enrollees because of a lower Part B coinsurance rate from Oct. 1 through the end of the year. This is because ...

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Most Americans Won’t Get New Flu, COVID-19 Vaccines

Most Americans don’t plan to get vaccinated against the flu or COVID-19 this season, a new survey has found. Fewer than two in five U.S. adults (38%) say they will definitely get a flu jab, and only one in four (26%) say they’ll get the updated COVID vaccine, according to a survey released Wednesday by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. ...

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California Governor Signs Legislation Impacting Health Care Claim Reimbursement and DMHC Requests for Records

On September 27, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills that will impact health care service plans and insurers in the state. AB 3275 – Health Care Coverage: Claim Reimbursement AB 3275 amends, repeals, and adds California Health and Safety Code §§ 1371, 1371.34, 1371.35, Insurance Code §§ 10123.13, 10123.147, and Welfare and ...

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California 2026 Governor Hopefuls Come Out Strong For Single-Payer Health Care

Four California governor hopefuls made big promises on single-payer health care but skimped on details Sunday during a candidate forum at a health workers’ union conference in San Francisco.

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Employees Prioritize Better Health Benefits Over Higher Salary, Survey Finds

Nearly 3 in 4 employed Americans would accept a job with a slightly lower salary if it offered better health care and medical coverage, including lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, a new Voya Financial survey found.

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IRS Updates Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credit Guide

The Internal Revenue Service has updated an important employee benefits tax compliance document: a list of answers to frequently asked questions about how to apply the rules for the Affordable Care Act premium tax credit.

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