Cost Is Now the Most Important Factor in Benefit Decisions
Employer priorities around health benefits have effectively reversed in just four years, according to Lockton’s 2026 National Benefits Survey. As the accompanying graph shows, attracting and retaining talent was more important than cost in 2022, 43% to 20%. Now in...
Biosimilars Gain Ground Against Rising Specialty Drug Costs
Specialty drug costs are projected to jump another 32% by 2028, according to the Pharmacy Strategies Group. While greater utilization remains the primary driver, lower-cost biosimilars can help pharmacy plans offset the increase. Biosimilars’ overall market share...
Many Americans Not Meeting Cholesterol Guidelines
Nearly one-third of U.S. adults without heart disease have LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels above the goals set by new national guidelines, according to a study published in JAMA. Among those exceeding their target, about three-quarters are not taking...
Give Back-to-School Shopping an FSA Boost
Back-to-school shopping usually centers on notebooks, clothing, and electronics, but an FSA can also help families prepare for the health-related needs that come with a new school year. FSA-eligible items include first-aid kits, bandages, allergy medications, pain...
AI Emerges as a New Health Cost Driver
Health plans are projecting a 9% medical cost trend for the commercial group market in 2027 — the highest in nearly two decades, according to PwC. A rapidly emerging driver: AI-enabled documentation and coding tools. For health plans, the concern is that more detailed...
Cut Air Ambulance Costs with Proactive Reviews
Air ambulance transports can be lifesaving, but they rank among the most expensive forms of medical transportation. In 2025, MedBen clients using air ambulance reviews and payment negotiations achieved an average 46% reduction from billed charges—saving $11,595 per...
Colon Cancer Screening: More Options, One Gold Standard
The American Cancer Society has expanded colorectal cancer screening guidelines to include a new blood test and additional at-home stool options. The aim is greater accessibility, especially for those who might otherwise skip screening. However, the guidelines still...
Ask Better Questions for Safer Prescription Use
Nearly one-third of middle-aged Americans struggle with common health tasks, including remembering doctor instructions and properly following medication directions, according to new research. Simple details — when to take a medication, whether to take it with food, or...
Children Under 10 Drive a Growing Share of High-Cost Claims
Tokio Marine HCC’s 2026 Annual Market Report shows children under age 10 now account for 39% of stop-loss claims exceeding $1 million — more than triple the share of any other 10-year age group. This concentrated risk creates new considerations for self-funded plans,...
Why Does TPA Stability Matter?
Hundreds of mergers and private equity acquisitions have consolidated the TPA industry in recent years. Because of this, many clients face team turnover, system changes, lost institutional knowledge, and shifting priorities — forcing them to rebuild relationships...
Drug Spending Growth Calls for Broader Pharmacy Strategies
U.S. pharmaceutical expenditures rose 12.7% in 2025 to $915.2 billion, according to a recent analysis in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. Utilization drove most of the growth, led by high-cost therapies such as tirzepatide, semaglutide, and apixaban....
Let MedBen Analytics Help You Finish the Year Strong
Mid-2026 is the ideal time to review your first-half results and chart the course ahead. Rather than waiting for year-end surprises, MedBen Analytics delivers the foresight to make proactive, data-driven decisions now. Our employer dashboard converts raw claims data...