Healthcare Costs for the Average American are $6,553 in 2020

Administrator
Milliman recently released their 2020 Milliman Medical Index. Here are some key findings from the report on healthcare costs: In 2020, healthcare costs for a hypothetical family of four reached $28,653. •   Healthcare costs for the average person are at $6,553 this year. •   Healthcare costs grew by 4.1% this year, outpacing growth in gross domestic product. •   Hospital costs... Read More

5.1-12.1 Million People Would Be Better Off With a Public Option – Would They?

Administrator
RAND Corporation recently published a research brief modeling the impact of a public option for health insurance. Here are some key findings from the report: Unsubsidized individual enrollment fell from 6.3 million in 2016 to 3.8 million in 2018. •   Across 4 public option scenarios, 5.1-12.1 million people would be better off. •   An estimated 2.2 to 6.8 million people... Read More

UnitedHealthcare Pharmacy Benefit Updates Effective May 1, 2020

Administrator
UnitedHealthcare updates its Prescription Drug List (PDL) to stay up-to-date with current market trends, price changes, and new clinical information. Impacted employees will receive a letter 30-60 days prior to the effective date. You can also encourage them to visit myuhc.com to find lower-cost medications with greater health care value. Read More

October 21: National Check Your Meds Day

Administrator
October 21 is National Check Your Meds Day. According to the CDC, 48.9% of the US population has used at least one prescription drug in the last 30 days.  Check out these resources from Consumer Reports: Guide: CR Best Drugs for Less Too Many Meds? America’s Love Affair with Prescription Medication Who Really Needs Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Drugs Some... Read More

What Pharmacists Want You to Know about Your Prescription Medications

Administrator
Potomac Companies, washington, obamacare, health insurance, insurance, compliance, aca,
From a recent WTOP article, here are some tips from DMV-area pharmacists: If you engage in pill-splitting to save money, make sure your medications are appropriate for splitting.  Splitting tablets is OK if they are scored down the middle, but splitting extended-release pills and capsules interferes with the coating. Drinking plenty of water when taking pills to make sure they go... Read More

Generics and Smokeless Tobacco: The Facts

Administrator
Potomac Companies, washington, obamacare, health insurance, insurance, compliance, aca,
There’s new research on how you should spend your money on medications and on products to help quit tobacco. Source Prescriptions The “Yelp of medicine” (TIME Magazine), a website called Iodine, recently showed through consumer data that patient satisfaction is about the same between generic and brand-name medicines.  One of the easiest ways to save money on prescriptions is to... Read More