Workers’ Costs Grow Despite Slowed Health Spending
A new report indicates that employees face higher medical bills as a result of increasing insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses. Another finds that drug coverage in Obamacare plans is often stingier than in employer coverage.
Los Angeles Times:
Employees Not Benefiting From Slower Growth In Health Care Costs
American workers already struggling with stagnant wages are being saddled with higher medical bills even as employers reap the benefits of a sustained slowdown in the growth of healthcare costs, a new report indicates. While employees' insurance premiums and out-of pocket medical expenses shot up 21% from 2007 to 2013 to an average of $3,273 a year, employers' total healthcare costs rose only 14.5%. (Levey, 3/2)
Politico Pro:
Study: Drug Coverage Less Generous In Obamacare Plans
Prescription drug coverage in Obamacare plans varies widely but is stingier than typical employer-sponsored coverage, according to a study published Monday in Health Affairs. Co-pays, coinsurance and high deductibles, especially in bronze and the most popular silver plans, mean that many enrollees are on the hook for a larger share of their drug costs, even though the monthly premiums are often lower than for coverage they might get through work, the researchers report. (Norman, 3/2)
Meanwhile, a onetime patient safety advocate pays $1 million to settle allegations he took kickbacks to promote a product -
ProPublica:
Alleged Patient Safety Kickbacks Lead To $1 Million Settlement
Dr. Chuck Denham, once a leading voice for patient safety, will pay $1 million to settle civil allegations that he took kickbacks to promote a drug company's product in national health quality guidelines, the Justice Department announced Monday. (Allen, 3/2)
