Welcome to the WBD News Flash, your weekly highlight of HR benefits and healthcare news. Weekly, we will provide you with the top trending industry news stories in healthcare, human resources, legislation, benefits technology and administration, and more. Make the WBD News Flash your go to reference for current events!
Potential California Health Legislation Could Impact Employers
California’s governor has thirty days to sign a number of bills into law, including legislation requiring employers to notify their workers when employees test positive for COVID-19. The bill would also mandate reporting to state and local public health authorities, according to Kaiser Health News. Several other potential pieces of legislation which impact employers are on their way to Governor Newsome’s desk, including a requirement for nursing homes to employ a full-time “infection preventionist,” and to allow workers with COVID-19 to follow for worker’s compensation until January 2023.
This particular measure requires the state to presume that certain front-line workers infected with COVID-19 contracted the illness on the job. It will be up to employers to prove otherwise. This is an action which is covered in some way by at least fourteen other states.
Survey Finds Copay Cards, Saving Programs Pose Problems
GoodRx, a prescription drug savings program, has shared survey findings which indicate the majority of copay savings programs are difficult for consumers to use. A researcher from the study team told FierceHealthcare that online program information is often incomplete, and users find understanding eligibility and obtaining a program’s required information to be challenging.
As many as 67% of copy savings programs are difficult to use — and there are hundreds of programs to choose from. Despite the barriers these copay programs pose to users hoping to save on prescriptions, their usage has risen more than 50% since 2010.
Aetna Launches New Plan Design in Kansas City Market
Missouri and Kansas counties in the greater Kansas City region will be the first to access the new Aetna Connected Plan with CVS Health. Launching in 2021, this PPO combines CVS Health services with Aetna’s member network. Aetna says this plan will offer savings to consumers of comparable PPO products. The integration with CVS location MinuteClinics and pharmacies is designed to bring better medical access by meeting consumers where they are already.
HealthHub locations will be able to provide medical concierge assistance, directing members to appropriate MinuteClinic providers who can consult with the member’s primary care doctor, and issue a prescription for the store’s pharmacy.
Beginning this month, employers in the market with 101 or more employees will be able to access quotes for plans which start in January, 2021.