Voluntary Benefits

"The research report findings point to clear opportunities to reduce friction in enrollment and administration and to strengthen education so employers and employees can make more confident decisions about voluntary benefits," said Bridget Bearden, director of membership growth and partnerships, EBRI.

Fox and Murtagh noted that some states already impose controls on hospitals' prices, and that the controls can take different forms, such as a flat cap on prices or a limit on price increases.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hopes to move all payers to a standard, digital medical attachment format by May 26, 2028.

Fully insured employer plans may pay more than 40 times the in-network amount when they lose.

California and Illinois are examples of states that are trying to restrict or ban use of automated care providers.

The agency's chair lists recent actions against PBMs and health plan marketers as examples of what the new team might do.