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IRS Loosens Preventive Care Coverage Rules

InterWest Insurance Services

New guidance issued by the IRS expands the types of preventive care benefits that high-deductible health plans are required to cover with no out-of-pocket costs on the part of plan enrollees. The changes are aimed at reducing out-of-pocket costs for diabetes-related expenses, certain cancer screenings and contraceptives.

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HDHP Enrollment Slipping: What It Means for Employers

InterWest Insurance Services

A medical emergency, unexpected illness or ongoing treatment for chronic conditions can lead to steep out-of-pocket costs. As a result, employees are now scrutinizing their options more closely and looking for plans that balance cost, predictability and comprehensive coverage.

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What (Most) Decision-Support Tools Get Wrong

Flimp Communications

Calculator tools estimate costs by multiplying units of services by applicable copay or average costs. Consequently, they tend to underestimate employee out-of-pocket costs and expenses for ancillary services such as diagnostics, anesthesia, therapy, and supplies.

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Election year impact: What’s next for employee benefits?

WEX Inc.

While this can lead to more comprehensive benefits for employees, it also means higher costs for employers, which may result in increased premiums. Republican approach: Emphasizes the efficiency of private markets and the use of HSAs to manage out-of-pocket costs. It is not legal or tax advice.

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It’s Time for a Mid-Year Financial Check-Up

Money Talk

Last year, I wrote a blog post about mid-year financial check-up s for the OneOp Personal Finance team. Among the culprits: climate change, higher costs for labor and supplies to repair houses and cars, and higher out-of-pocket costs for employer-provided health insurance. have generally trended up.

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3 in 4 Workers Would Accept Lower-Pay for Better Benefits: Survey

InterWest Insurance Services

A new study has found three out of four U.S. The main driver in workers prioritizing benefits is the rapidly rising cost of group health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs, according to the study by Voya Financial.

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HDHP Enrollees Less Satisfied with Their Health Plans

InterWest Insurance Services

” HDHP enrollees enjoy lower up-front premium costs in exchange for higher potential out-of-pocket costs for copays, coinsurance and deductibles, and high health care users may experience significant outlays not covered by insurance. If enrolled three or more years, 55% were satisfied.