US: SMB health cost volatility and ICHRA adoption
Key Questions
What is the usage rate of GLP-1 medications among obese US employees?
A retrospective analysis shows GLP-1 medication usage at 18.3% among obese US employees. This usage is associated with $11,000 in costs and absences per employee.
How are GLP-1 drugs impacting SMB health costs?
GLP-1 drugs for obesity contribute to health cost volatility for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), with premiums reaching $27,000 and double-digit hikes. Related factors include absences and overall employee health expenses.
What is driving ICHRA adoption among US SMBs?
ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) adoption is rising due to SMB health cost volatility, offering flexibility with stipends for childcare, gas, and telehealth. It addresses issues like obesity management and premium hikes, supported by SaaS solutions.
What recent changes occurred at Amwins in group benefits?
Amwins Group Benefits rebranded as Amwins Benefits, unifying Stealth Partner Group and Nelligan under the Amwins name. This advances a cohesive benefits strategy, with Amwins handling $50 billion in scale.
What pension challenges are public retirees in South Dakota facing?
South Dakota public retirees face a potential sixth year of less-than-inflation benefit changes, with a predicted 1.56% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This continues trends of low COLA increases amid broader volatility in state employee health benefits.
GLP-1 18.3% obese ($11k costs); premiums $27k/hikes; SEHBP/NJ/Nevada; USU HRA; ICHRA/stipends/childcare/gas; Amwins rebrand. ICHRA SaaS/obesity focus.