Consumer Driven Health Care

Federal policy changes may have public health prevention ripple effects – from vaccination to screening rates to workplace flextime so workers can still have access to care – and company policies will now need be reevaluated.

During the pandemic, there was an 80% decrease in people getting colonoscopies and a 70% decrease in cervical cancer screenings, so the big question is: Are we going to see more late-stage cancers being diagnosed?

The rule would require prior authorization decisions within 72 hours for expedited, urgent requests and seven calendar days for standard, non-urgent requests – and denials would be required to include a specific reason.

Employers need to ensure that employees are informed about changes to their health benefits, regarding COVID testing and vaccines, and offer coverage to those affected by the suspension of Medicaid dis-enrollments.

The average cost of medical coverage (regardless of plan type) is $5,330 for single coverage and $13,998 for family coverage, with employers contributing 72% toward the cost of single coverage and 70% for family coverage, says a new report.

The ruling means that unless the Supreme Court intervenes by Friday, mifepristone will no longer be approved for use after the seventh week and cannot be dispensed by mail.