Mental health coverage limits in self-insured plans hang on judge's ruling

A federal judge is set to decide how much flexibility insurers that administer self-insured health plans have in limiting coverage for treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.
Judge blocks Anthem-Cigna merger

A federal judge blocked the proposed $54 billion tie-up between national insurers Anthem and Cigna late Wednesday, saying the combination would harm competition in the national employer market.
What to expect when Anthem and Cigna meet the Justice Department in court

Anthem and Cigna Corp. are about to get their chance to fight for their $53 billion merger in a District of Columbia courtroom. The faceoff with the U.S. Justice Department will pit their promised benefits for consumers against providers' bargaining power.
Skimpier employer coverage may accelerate under Trump administration
The employer-based health insurance market has mostly stayed intact under President Barack Obama. Employers may continue to alter benefits to push costs onto employees and expand HSAs under a Trump administration, but Republicans also may take aim at their tax exclusion.
More employers join push for value-based healthcare
More employers are setting up value-based reimbursement and payment arrangements with health insurers and providers to encourage better employee health outcomes and reduce costs, survey data released Tuesday show.
Aetna makes large bet on wellness with Apple Watches

Apple Watches are becoming near-ubiquitous in healthcare and the corporate world, and health insurer Aetna is now investing heavily in the wellness promises of the device.
Employers hate the Cadillac tax. Why?

Employers should, in theory, support the Affordable Care Act's Cadillac tax. But the political and business reasons for keeping the tax exclusion on employer health benefits trump economics.
Transgender bias case against Dignity Health could set off religious freedom clash

Dignity Health has answered a federal discrimination lawsuit filed by a transgender nurse by arguing that civil rights law does not require its self-insured employer health plan to cover gender reassignment-related care.
Large employers expect higher insurance benefit costs for third year in a row
A survey from the National Business Group on Health found that specialty pharmacy costs are an increasingly high driver of costs for employers.
Health insurance mega-deals aren't winning over a key party: large employers

Federal and state insurance regulators are determining the fate of the pending health insurance mergers, and many large employers won't be disappointed if officials torpedo the deals.
Self-funded health plans can save money, up risks
Business consulting company Spooner found itself facing the same challenge its clients and many other employers across the country are grappling with: rapidly rising health plan costs.