Employer-Paid

"This is going to be a fundamental shift in the program, because we're going to move away from that upfront discount program to a post-purchase rebate," said Dr. Urshlila Shah, former chief pharmacy officer at St. Joseph's Health in Paterson.

"We have seen a surge in federal agency enforcement, new rulemaking and litigation, as well as ongoing state developments that both challenge and reinforce these federal efforts," Laura Hancock, ERISA compliance and state law attorney for Lockton, wrote in a new report.

Benefits professionals must not only react to high-cost claims, but recognize red flags early and implement cost containment strategies before those claims escalate.

Primary care group practices look especially shaky, and reviving them after they file for bankruptcy is difficult.

About half of exchange users are self-employed or associated with small businesses.

Only 15% of people are willing to cut back on financial support, even if it means skipping medical care, delaying repairs, or lowering their standard of living.