What it means for employers and patients  On Feb. 25, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at improving healthcare price transparency: Making America Healthy Again by Empowering Patients with Clear, Accurate, and Actionable Healthcare Pricing Information.    This directive pushes federal agencies to enforce stricter disclosure requirements. The order builds upon previous transparency rules by requiring:  the disclosure of actual prices for medical services — not just estimates;  updated regulations ensuring standardized, easily comparable pricing data; and  stronger enforcement measures to hold health plans and insurers accountable.  These changes could significantly impact how health plans operate, requiring greater transparency from insurers and providers alike. Employers and benefits managers must stay informed to navigate these evolving regulations.  Want to learn more about how this executive order will affect your health ...

With 2024 right around the corner, ongoing inflation will likely mean higher employer healthcare costs in the new year. A report released by Aon , a global professional services firm, predicted 2024 employer healthcare costs will grow by 8.5%, totaling more than $15,000 per employee. This figure nearly doubles what Aon reported in 2023. Meanwhile, the Business Group on Health’s 2024 Large Employer Health Care Strategy Survey predicted a 6% increase . While this is 2.5% less than Aon’s report, both predict a potentially sizable increase in healthcare costs. In this article, we’ll explore the four primary drivers of healthcare costs and ways that employers plan to manage them. Driver #1: Mental health challenges The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on mental health continues. Many employees still have symptoms related to depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. This is echoed in the findings from the Business Group on Health survey: Three-quarters of employers (77%) reported an increa...