Cost-Containment

The health insurers' comments suggest a shift in care patterns are finally reverting, with patients who had deferred procedures like knee or hip surgeries now returning for care in greater numbers.

The ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency, along with Medicare spending that's expected to grow the fastest over the next decade, will greatly impact costs, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Expert estimates suggest that up to a tenth of all health care spending might be swallowed by fraudulent operations. The insurance industry insists it's vigilantly safeguarding these funds, but the unnerving reality reveals a different story.

The ERISA Industry Committee, an employer advocacy group, implored the IRS in a letter to clarify how sponsors can implement new SECURE 2.0 features - and also offered recommendations for improving health care benefits.

"Affordability challenges are taking a real toll, not only on the financial health of patients but their physical and mental health as well," said Tom Policelli, CEO, HPS/PayMedix.

Innovative health care models took center stage before the House of Representatives as an advocacy organization presented its case for shifting away from fee-based medical care as a way to improve health care and lower costs.