March 2016 •
Volume 18 •
Issue 3
Providing Current Information on
Health Insurance Industry Issues and Legislation
Average Drug Prices Double in 7 Years
The average price of 622 prescription medicines widely used by older Americans
doubled from 2006 to 2013 reaching $11,341. Disturbingly, prices for the 622 brand
name, generic and specialty drugs increased 9.4% in 2013, 6 times the inflation rate.
A variety of factors are contributing to these ongoing increases.
doubled from 2006 to 2013 reaching $11,341. Disturbingly, prices for the 622 brand
name, generic and specialty drugs increased 9.4% in 2013, 6 times the inflation rate.
A variety of factors are contributing to these ongoing increases.
Supreme Court Upholds ERISA Precedence over State Law
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Employees Retirement Income
Security Act (ERISA), as federal law, takes precedence over state law. In a 6-2 decision
in Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual Insurance, the court found that ERISA protects self-funded
insurers from having to share certain information with the state of Vermont. However,
the court left the door open for the states to ask the federal Department of Labor to
require self-funding employers provide the information.
Security Act (ERISA), as federal law, takes precedence over state law. In a 6-2 decision
in Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual Insurance, the court found that ERISA protects self-funded
insurers from having to share certain information with the state of Vermont. However,
the court left the door open for the states to ask the federal Department of Labor to
require self-funding employers provide the information.
$3 Billion of Cancer Drugs Going Down the Drain
Almost $3 billion of cancer medicines bought by the federal government and
private health insurers are literally being thrown away every year. The reason is
– unlike in other countries – in the U.S. drug makers only distribute cancer drugs
in vials that contain too much product for use with most patients.
private health insurers are literally being thrown away every year. The reason is
– unlike in other countries – in the U.S. drug makers only distribute cancer drugs
in vials that contain too much product for use with most patients.
Readmission Rates Decrease Saving Billions
Hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge are costing employers and the
government tens of billions of dollars a year. Over the last 8 years readmission
rates for target conditions fell 17% and non-targeted conditions 14%. Most of
the decrease occurred from March 2010 to October 2012, immediately before
the penalties from the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program created as part
of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect.
government tens of billions of dollars a year. Over the last 8 years readmission
rates for target conditions fell 17% and non-targeted conditions 14%. Most of
the decrease occurred from March 2010 to October 2012, immediately before
the penalties from the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program created as part
of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect.
Three Star Preferred Provider Program Additions
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Strongsville, OH 44136 Cerritos 2020 Optometry Cerritos, CA 90703 Golden Triangle ER Services PA Pro Houston, TX 77081 Kyle Emergency Center Houston, TX 77081 Liberato Salvatore Bayside, NY 11361 Lufkin ER Houston, TX 77081 Michael Gilliland Lake Jackson, TX 77566 Mineola Medical Lab Mineola, NY 11501 Northern Hills Alcohol Drug Service Sturgis, SD 57785 |
Beaver Falls, PA 15010 Precision Surgery Center Wichita, KS 67206 Rocky Toxicology Durango, CO 81301 Timothy Chrapkiewicz Harvard, IL 60033 Tyler Emergency Center Tyler, TX 757018 Universal Imaging and Radiology Miami Lakes, FL 330161 William Bailer Bellaire, OH 439061 Womans Clinic Sugar Land, TX 77479 |
