08.20.09

Consumer Driven Health Plans Cover More Employees than HMOs, According to Survey Results

Posted in Uncategorized at 5:34 am by heaven

Excerpt: "Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHPs) in the U.S. have surpassed HMO plans in covered employees, according to preliminary results released by United Benefit Advisors (UBA) from its 2009 UBA Health Plan Survey, a plan benchmarking poll with 17,655 plans from 12,316 employers reporting. According to a press release, CDHPs grew at a rate of 33.9% this past year and now cover more employees (15.4%) than HMO plans (13.6%)." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)

GAO Study Describes Cost-Sharing Requirements and Dollar Limits Under Federal Health Plan for Expensive ‘Speciality’ Drugs

Posted in Uncategorized at 5:34 am by heaven

11 pages. Excerpt: "Specialty prescription drugs are typically used to treat chronic or life-threatening conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and cancer, for which few other treatment options exist. . . . Costs for specialty prescription drugs are usually high, typically ranging from $1,200 to $40,000 for a 30-day supply. . . . To manage the high and rising costs of these drugs, some health plans have begun to require enrollees to contribute a greater share of their costs, such as by increasing the use of coinsurance. You asked us to examine the costs that FEHBP enrollees may incur for specialty prescription drugs." (U.S . Government Accountability Office)

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