DOL’s New Fiduciary Rule On Hold, As Judge Grants Insurer Groups’ Request For Injunction

A preliminary injunction, granted Thursday by a federal judge, puts the implementation of the Labor Department's controversial new Retirement Security Rule, set to take effect September 23, on hold until further order of the court.

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Even Slightly Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure Pushes Up Stroke Risk By 20%

If your systolic blood pressure — the top number of your blood pressure reading — consistently edges above normal, new research from the University of Michigan suggests you’re at an increased risk for stroke. A study published in JAMA Open Network found that if a person’s systolic blood pressure hovers 10 points above the 120 mmHg threshold ...

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PBMs Defend Business Practices — But Lawmakers Aren’t Convinced

Lawmakers bashed the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers during a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing Tuesday. When they were asked repeatedly about steering patients, increased drug prices and pharmacy closures, the company executives largely refuted claims thrown at them. Lawmakers were overwhelmingly frustrated with the perceived non-answers given and at one point reminded the ...

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CMS: Insurers To Make $10.3B In 2023 Risk Adjustment Payments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released new data on risk adjustment payments for 2023. The agency said (PDF) insurers participating on the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges will pay $10.3 billion as part of the risk adjustment program. Risk adjustment state transfers as a percent of premiums declined from 2022, according to the report. ...

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Poll Reveals Older Americans’ Top Health Care Fear

What weighs most heavily on older adults’ minds when it comes to health care? The cost of services and therapies, and their ability to pay. “It’s on our minds a whole lot because of our age and because everything keeps getting more expensive,” said Connie Colyer, 68, of Pleasureville, Kentucky. She’s a retired forklift operator who ...

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Group Medical Cost Trend To Hit 8% In 2025: PwC

The underlying medical cost trend for employers' group health coverage could stay high in 2025, according to PwC analysts. The analysts are predicting that the medical cost trend will be 8%.

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