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Data Supports Our Assertion That COVID-19 Has Worsened the Mental Health Crisis

… the digestive and nervous system and a significant reduction in claims related to other medical conditions. As I pointed out last week, it is unclear whether these claims will bounce back or never be incurred, and it also unclear whether medical conditions will worsen. Viewpoints from Craig Hasday But the rise in mental health issues is a problem that employers should be aware of. Notably, anxiety claims increased by 6%, and adjustment disorders (e.g. suicidal thoughts or behaviors, feeling sad, hopeless, stressed out and overwhelmed) increased by 5%. The incidence of screening and history of mental health and substance …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/data-supports-our-assertion-that-covid-19-has-worsened-the-mental-health-crisis/

Brace Yourself for More from the Opioid Addiction Crisis

… are key for helping recovering addicts remain on track, even more so with the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the stress it has caused so many. Unless a major shift happens on the carrier end, we can expect to see the overdose death toll rise. As if the body count and strain on our healthcare system from coronavirus aren’t already enough to handle. See results from our In It Together COVID-19 pulse surveys by visiting epicbrokers.com/insights/preparing-for-the-new-normal

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/brace-yourself-for-more-from-the-opioid-addiction-crisis/

Coronavirus & Workplace Wellbeing: Pushing for Physical Health

… Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity and two or more days of muscle-strengthening activities per week. And a recent poll shows negative behaviors such as overeating and additional alcohol consumption while on lockdown are on the rise. Employers need to get ahead of this trend and be creative when promoting physical activity and health. No Gym, No Problem  Local gyms are closed, so share some suggestions to help employees make their at-home workouts just as effective – you can find free workouts to share online and …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/coronavirus-workplace-well-being-pushing-for-physical-health/

Are Your Employees Asking About Weight-Loss Drug Coverage? They Will Be…

Viewpoints from Craig Hasday The press is full of headlines, fueled by celebrity endorsements, about the new miracle glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) weight loss drugs: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro – and guess what? They work, with reports of as much as 15% of body fat loss achieved over a year or less. As we all know and have been preaching in our wellbeing initiatives, obesity poses significant health risks and financial burdens for individuals and employers alike. The average cost of GLP-1 weight loss medications, such as Ozempic, is approximately $14,000 per year. We also know that …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/weight-loss-drug-coverage-viewpoints/

Large Claims Alarms Are Signaling Healthcare Cost Spikes

Viewpoints from Craig Hasday Regardless of your plan’s size or funding arrangement, prepare yourself. Large claims are coming. According to a QBE report, claims over $200,000 increased by 17% from 2020 to 2021. While it was harder to see through the crystal ball during the COVID-19 years, it is starting to get clearer again. This trend will continue. There are several factors in play. COVID-19 claims are expected to diminish, however, the cost of deferred care is emerging. Circulatory claims are on the rise, but more acutely, the cost of high-cost therapies is expected to …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/large-claims-signaling-healthcare-cost-spikes/

EPIC Pharmacy Team Delivers the State of Specialty Drug Spend

Specialty Spend Is on the Rise Again EPIC recently unpacked everything you need to know about the state of specialty, with a specific focus on biosimilar and specialty generics. We continue to see double-digit increases in per member per year cost for specialty drugs, and nearly 40% of that spend occurs in the medical benefit. Rigorous management across both benefits is critical to managing overall specialty spend. This webinar uncovered what is driving increased spend and what you can do about it.  Agenda: Deeper dive into specialty spend and what you can do about it Emerging trends in biosimilar …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/epic-pharmacy-team-delivers-specialty-drug-trends/

Why You Need a Specialist to Control Pharmacy Spend

… contributing to pharmacy cost inflation) while attempting to have tight reins on net costs. As drug costs go up, so do the rebates – increasing profits to the intermediaries in the transaction. The latest issue of Benefits Pro magazine highlights new versions of these maneuvers. Viewpoints from Craig Hasday With the rise of specialty medication prices, facilities and other providers have latched onto how profitable dispensing and billing for medications can be and often count on a percentage of their revenue from these transactions. While the majority of drug costs channel through the pharmacy portion of the insurance contract, an increasing …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/you-need-a-specialist-to-control-pharmacy-spend/

Insuring Cryptocurrency Hedges Funds, Blockchain Venture and Private Equity Firms

According to Autonomous Next, a London based fintech research practice, digital asset hedge funds now number 251 as of August 2018; more than double the number in October of 2017. Many are small, buoyed by entrepreneurs who were part of the early days of Bitcoin’s prolific rise, but there are also very large funds with $1 billion plus in assets under management. They have sophisticated management with quality service providers for compliance, audit, fund administration, legal and accounting. These larger funds are helping to shape the regulatory landscape by working with the SEC, CFTC, NFA and FINRA. According to …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/insuring-cryptocurrency-hedges-funds-blockchain-venture-and-private-equity-firms/