Author: Danna Schwerdt

In today’s economic landscape, employers face mounting pressure to do more with less. Tight budgets, rising healthcare costs, and shifting workforce expectations often force companies to make difficult choices. While these decisions may be well-intentioned, they can have unintended consequences on employee morale, retention, and organizational culture. Here are five common sacrifices employers make due…

In an era of increasing healthcare scrutiny, employers sponsoring self-funded health plans are facing more pressure than ever to act in the best interests of their plan participants. Central to this fiduciary duty is the way prescription benefits are managed, and for many, the current lack of transparency in pricing is a serious risk.  What…

Employee retention is a top concern for many organizations. In today’s competitive job market, creating a work environment that fosters long-term loyalty is just as critical as recruiting top talent. Research from May 2024 reveals that 51% of U.S. employees are actively seeking or considering new job opportunities, the highest turnover risk reported in nearly…

A new trend is reshaping how specialty drugs are priced and delivered, and it is happening quietly behind the scenes. Major pharmaceutical wholesalers like Cencora, Cardinal Health, and McKesson are no longer just distributing medications. They are now investing in or managing physician practices, especially in high-cost areas like oncology, urology, and ophthalmology.  Altogether, these…

If you have employer-sponsored health insurance or a 401(k), there’s a massive piece of federal legislation quietly working behind the scenes to protect your interests: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). More than just a bureaucratic acronym, ERISA is the legal foundation for most private-sector benefits. It sets the minimum standards that…

Specialty medications can be life-changing, even lifesaving, for patients with complex conditions. Yet navigating the programs designed to fund these medications can be overwhelming and confusing. Over the years, alternative funding programs (AFPs) have emerged to address rising costs, but many come with trade-offs: limited access, confusing processes, and incentives that may not always align…

Prescription drug costs are out of control, sure, but the real frustration for most employers isn’t just the rapidly rising price tag. It’s the black hole of visibility. When you’re constantly operating without clear benchmarks or transparent pricing, how can you possibly know if you’re getting ripped off on your pharmacy benefits? Spoiler: Most employers…

For most organizations, prescription drug benefits represent one of the largest and least transparent components of their healthcare spend. Unfortunately, much of that spend is inflated by inefficiencies, hidden fees, and outdated procurement models. But what if those wasted dollars could be transformed into meaningful resources that support your people?  More and more self-funded employers…

When it comes to employee benefits, doing nothing can feel like the safest and most comfortable decision. Avoid the disruption, keep the same vendors, maintain consistency. But what many employers don’t realize is that maintaining the status quo can be one of the most expensive decisions of all.   Inaction Has a Price  Employers who stick…