News
Reference-Based Pricing: A Sustainable Approach To Affordable Health Plans
Summarizes the advantages of RBP, including cost-savings and legislation compliance and avoidance.
Read MoreBenefit Basics: Complying with ACA Affordability Requirements
Jack Towarnicky discusses affordability under the ACA and what employers must do to comply.
Read MoreFrom confusion to clarity: improving health insurance and EOB transparency
Discusses the importance of a clear EOB.
Read MoreThe Medical Debt Cancellation Act: Implications & Strategies for Plan Sponsors & Advisors
As benefits advisors, it is crucial to understand the nuances of this legislation and explore how plan sponsors can proactively assist employees in managing health care costs and avoid the burden of medical debt.
Read MoreMedical Debt Cancellation Act: Temporary relief but the root cause is still there
A discussion about the Medical Debt Cancellation Act and its benefits and limitations.
Read MoreStrategic reference-based pricing: A cure for the medical overbilling epidemic
Discusses the vicious cycle of medical overbilling and an innovative way to address it.
Read MoreSpecial Report: Healthcare Costs
Jack answers the question "Will New Rules Lower Your Medical Costs"?
Read MoreChristine M. Cooper from aequum on Reference-Based Pricing
Christine discusses the benefits of Reference-Based Pricing in a blog post on Shortlister.
Read MoreSelf-Funded Health Plans Can Optimize Value With No Surprise
Christine addresses ways to minimize surprises in medical billing and avoid the No Surprises Act IDR Process.
Read MoreHSAs - how did we get...here?
Jack discusses what stands in our way when it comes to getting health coverage.
Read MoreA Strategic, Compliant Response To No Surprises Act Supported By Medical Billing Partnership
This article discusses how the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage affects medical device suppliers.
Read MoreUnderstanding Health Plan Rights and Compliance Strategies in Response to the No Surprises Act
Christine Cooper discusses how to leverage the No Surprises Act and price-transparency to empower employers and employees.
Read MoreEmployee Mental Health is a Priority for Employee Benefit Plans
Christine Cooper discusses the importance of mental health benefits and a strategic approach to them.
Read MoreHealth care reform: Most workers pay more for other people's health coverage
Jack Towarnicky discusses the effect of COVID-19 on the number of individuals who are insured.
Read MoreNo Surprises Act Protects Against Balance Billing
Christine Cooper discusses what brokers should be aware of when it comes to the No Surprises Act.
Read MoreThe future of employer-sponsored health care: strategic responses and cost containment opportunities
Christine Cooper addresses strategies for providing employee participants with access to affordable, quality health care.
Read MoreMedical Billing Support Provides Value to Health and Wealth Strategy During Financially Fragile Times
This article dives into how finding the right medical billing partner can provide support in care during financially fragile times.
Read MorePlan Sponsors Adopt Key Strategies for Building Health Equity Among Plan Members
Christine Cooper discusses strategies to make health care equitable amongst employees in self-funded health plans.
Read MoreNo Surprises Act Leads to Thousands More Disputes and Delays than Gov't Expected
Christine Cooper discusses the failures of the No Surprises Act with reporter Amanda James.
Read MoreStrategic and Tactical Responses to Post-Pandemic Healthcare Inflation
Christine Cooper and Jack Towarnicky describe strategic and tactical responses to healthcare inflation.
Read MoreKey Strategies that Help Plan Sponsors and Participants Navigate Challenging Healthcare Costs
Christine Cooper discusses today's healthcare financial challenges and offers some solutions to control costs.
Read MoreSIIA Sponsored Webinar - Reference Based Pricing - Optimized
On September 20, 2022, Christine Cooper and Jack Towarnicky confirm why Reference Based Pricing (RBP), “done right”, is the most appropriate plan design response to recent legislation – the Consolidated Appropriations Act (Transparency) and No Surprises Act (NSA). The Department of Labor’s focus on reference-based pricing in sub-regulatory guidance (FAQ) confirms that RBP is here to stay – post Health Reform. Register at the link below!
Read MoreCost Savings Initiatives That Help Employees Prepare for Medical Expenses
Christine Cooper discusses the cost of healthcare today and ways to help manage those costs.
Read MorePrice Transparency and Health Plan Participants
Christine Cooper and Jack Towarnicky discuss pricing transparency through federal legislation requirements.
Read MoreNo Surprise Act - The best compliant, strategic approach for employer-sponsored health plan administrators
Christine Cooper and Jack Towarnicky discuss the problems surrounding the implementation of the No Surprises Act and strategies to respond.
Read Moree-Health Radio: An Opportunity to Lower Medical Costs
Christine Cooper and Jack Towarnicky discuss health care consumerism and how to achieve costs savings for patients with host Eric Michaels.
Read MoreHealth Strategies to Improve Health Equity and Help Americans Build Health Savings
Health care cost inflation is impacting the annual and out-of-pocket costs of financially vulnerable Americans. To combat this, experts recommend that health plan sponsors and members focus on proactively building savings in addition to managing costs.
Read MoreFuture of Employer-Sponsored Healthcare Plans
Opportunities remain for plan sponsors and members to optimize cost containment through proactive healthcare management.
Read MoreSeven Essential Ingredients for Direct Contract Success
This article includes quotes from various healthcare leaders about how to best develop and use direct contracts to benefit self-funded health plans and plan participants.
Read MoreCost Management Opportunities and Strategies to Optimize Employer Health Plans
Employers are increasingly pursuing cost management initiatives and education as part of comprehensive wellness initiatives.
Read Moree-Health Radio Interview: No More Surprises! Installment #2
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Jack Towarnicky discuss the following: What’s your best advice for workers when it comes to “Surprise” medical bills? As an employee benefits expert, what advice can you offer employees that is most beneficial regarding their employer-sponsored health plan? I thought you had to enroll in a health plan with a high deductible to be eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account. Is this true? Let’s say my employer offers two different PPO options, one with a $600 deductible and the other is HSA-capable with a $1,400 deductible. Why would I sign up for the higher deductible option? Given that the employer spend is usually the same for all coverage options, why would they offer HSA-capable coverage?
Read MoreNo more surprises! Navigating compliance with medical billing legislation
It is important for benefits professionals, especially those who administer or sponsor self-funded plans, to understand the NSA's provisions.
Read MoreNo More Surprises! What the No Surprises Act Provisions Mean for Self-Funded Health Plans
The intent of the transparency and surprise/balance billing legislation is to create new, federal consumer protections. However, those same protections shift much of the risk and cost to the plan sponsor or employer.
Read Moree-Health Radio Interview: No More Surprises! Installment #1
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Christine Cooper discuss the following: What drove the formation of aequum and demand for your technologies and services that support health plans with medical billing? What is “Surprise Medical Billing” and how does it impact our healthcare system? What led to federal legislation and the significance of the No Surprises Act (NSA)? What medical services and claims are protected by NSA? When will the rules and provisions of the NSA take effect? What strategies can employer-sponsored health plans and their members take to prepare?
Read MoreHealthcare Cost Inflation Expands into the New Year, Increases Out-of-Pocket Costs and Expenditures
aequum LLC discusses the reasons for healthcare cost inflation and some opportunities that exist for benefit specialists to achieve significant cost savings.
Read MoreHealthcare Costs Continue to Rise. Why?
What are the factors that drive healthcare costs and what is and can be done about it? aequum LLC discusses the reasons and some of the solutions.
Read MoreBe Aware: Medical Coding and Billing Offenses Pose Costly Consequences
80% of medical bills contain errors, and many in healthcare believe that number is rising. This article discusses the most common and costly coding errors.
Read Moreaequum Welcomes Richard Haseltine as Associate Attorney, Expands Capabilities to Protect Self-Insured Plan Sponsors & Members Against Balanced Billing, Overcharges
aequum LLC introduces Richard Haseltine as the newest member of its team designed to protect patients and plans across the U.S.
Read MoreInnovative Medical Billing Technology Protects Patients from Surprise Bills
The lack of price transparency throughout the healthcare industry has subjected increasing numbers of patients to the unwanted surprise of unplanned medical bills. This article discuss innovative tech-driven solutions.
Read MoreAdmin's Latest Surprise Billing Regulation Stirs Up Controversy
On September 30, 2021, the latest interim final rule was released to implement the No Surprises Act. Provider groups denounced the rule.
Read Moreaequum LLC Announces 2021 Milestones
aequum LLC, acting on behalf of 325 self-insured health plans and their participants, has successfully resolved 6,000+ claims - saving over $31 million (97.2%) of disputed charges.
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