Voluntary Benefits

California is trying to apply its new law to PBM efforts to serve self-insured employer health plans, as well as to PBM efforts to serve health insurers and government-run plans, such as public employee health plans.

A new draft regulation would let employers offer the coverage through excepted benefits products.

The case could hinge on the details in a self-funded health plan's master services agreement.

Meanwhile, new Take Command survey data show that about half of workers like the cash-for-coverage plan concept.

"A significant gap remains between the policies in place and a truly healthy work environment," says Lolly Coleman, director of provider quality and engagement at Rula.

Aetna, meanwhile, is talk about its efforts to adopt a low-friction prior authorization strategy.