Employers Falling Short On Managing Healthcare Costs

The overwhelming majority of employers with 50-1,000 employees are missing out on opportunities to manage health costs more effectively, a new poll reveals.

A study of more than 400 senior HR and finance executives issued by insurance brokerage Hub International found that while 70% believe their strategies for “reining in costs” are successful, only 16% are using narrow networks, 18% are self-funding, and 31% are using pharmacy benefit carve-out strategies.

This is just a small snapshot of the entirety of this article. If you're company is experiencing these shortfalls, don't hesitate to contact HORIZON Health Ventures. This IS what we do. 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/

The Power of Video

At HORIZON Health Ventures we're committed to bringing you the latest in healthcare news. In today's digital world, healthcare consumers are demanding an easier way to access healthcare information. Magellan Rx Management has made this happen. With over 500 videos medication videos available to customers, Magellan is answering their customers needs. 

Check out an example of what these videos look like by clicking here.

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/

What Does the Medicaid Final Rule Mean for Pharmacy?

In May 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized changes to its Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Managed Care Rule - delivering the first comprehensive piece of legislation to address changes in the Medicaid Managed Care market place in more than 12 years. While changes from the Rule do not take effect until July 1, 2017, Medicaid plans to begin focusing on changes they need to implement as their contracts are amended to remain compliant with federal regulations. 

There is much more to read on this topic in the Express Scripts' article, "What Does the Medicaid Final Rule Mean for Pharmacy?" so be sure to check it out. 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/

Putting A Cure In Reach

When the high price of hepatitis c medication made curing the virus impossible for many patients, Express Scripts and Accredo took action. 

Affordable access to a curative treatment is life-changing for patients. In the video featured in the Express Scripts article, "Putting A Cure In Reach", highlights Jim who was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2001. After learning about a two drug combination that would cure his disease, he then realized the cost would not be affordable. 

That's when Express Scripts stepped in. Express Scripts negotiated a large price discount on Viekira Pak for patients just like Jim. Make sure to watch this ever-important video! 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/

CDC Reports Increase In HPV-Associated Cancer Incidence

Nearly 39,000 human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers were diagnosed annually from 2008 through 2012, up from 33,369 cases seen from 2004 to 2008, according to CDC. For the study, CDC used data from population-based cancer registries that participate in its National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. CDC found that approximately 23,000 of the HPV-associated cases were among females. 

 

To learn more about this rising epidemic, be sure to read the CDC published article, "CDC Reports Increase In HPV-Associated Cancer Incidence." 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/

Another Big Insurer Will Pay For Key Drugs Based On Patient Outcomes

"Yet another health plan is aggressively pursuing deals with drug makers based on patient outcomes. In the latest instance, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, which is the second-largest health insurer in New England, has reached agreements with Novartis and Eli Lilly to calibrate payments for two of their most important medicines." - Ed Silverman

To learn more about this growing trend, be sure to read the STAT published article, "Another Big Insurer Will Pay For Key Drugs Based On Patient Outcomes". 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/

Employers' Declaration of Independence From Traditional Health Insurance

"Employer frustration over the devastating collateral damage from a severely under-performing healthcare system is boiling over. Across America and across all types of organizations, every day there is the equivalent of a Boston Tea Party. Employers are recognizing that there has been a redistribution tax from the pockets of citizens and corporations to a bloated healthcare system. The healthcare system has been as deaf to employer grievances as King George III was to colonists’ grievances." - Dave Chase, Forbes contributor

The recently published Forbes article, "Employers' Declaration of Independence From Traditional Health Insurance" delves into the current state of today's healthcare system from an employers perspective. Interesting and important read, don't pass it up! 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/