In Focus
News & Insight from Chelko Consulting
Nothing to Hide Here
You can see right through us. And we’re totally fine with that.
For plan years beginning on December 27, 2021, or later, brokers and consultants will be held to new compensation transparency obligations under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). The CAA creates new requirements for brokers and consultants (referred to in the rules as “covered service providers” or “CSPs”) to disclose to ERISA-covered group health plan sponsors any direct or indirect compensation they may receive for referral of services. read more…
We Look at Things Differently. So Should You.
Chelko uses our unique clinical and sourcing expertise to dramatically reduce drug benefit costs for plan sponsors and improve member care. While others mistakenly chase discounts and rebates, we focus on removing waste and excessive profiteering from plans and helping members more affordably get the medications they need.
The fact is, too many people are using old strategies to take on new challenges. While brand and generic medications make up almost 99% of total prescriptions and have long been the primary focus of most cost reduction efforts, it’s more than time to shift our attention to the other 1%. read more…
Pumping the Brakes on Accelerated Approvals
The world is full of patients suffering from diseases without available therapeutic options and the FDA’s “accelerated approval” pathway offers many an additional degree of hope. Introduced in 1992 and later modified in 2012, the program is not without its downsides. read more…
Bullet Holes & Benefits: Measuring What Matters
Maybe you’ve heard this story before, but probably never as it relates to employee benefits.
During World War II, planes would come back from battle riddled with bullet holes. The Allies did an analysis and determined which areas of the returning aircraft were most commonly hit by enemy fire. In doing so, they hoped to reduce the number of planes shot down by adding additional armor plating to those frequently damaged sections. read more…
Cars & Colonoscopies: Hospital Price Transparency and Consumer Behavior
Can you imagine car shopping without knowing prices? While the very idea may seem absurd, medical consumers in the U.S. ― particularly those covered under high deductible health plans ― have been doing it for decades. New price transparency rules appear poised to change that, but will consumers and health plans realize any savings? read more…
We Have a Vaccine. Now What?
As the vaccine rollout progresses through the early part of 2021, the broader employer response appears to be a bit more measured than some anticipated just a few short weeks ago.
While the path forward is looking a bit more clear, some employers are still struggling to determine an appropriate level of involvement in the vaccination process. read more…
Apples to Apples: Comparing the Vaccines
After nearly a year of facing the challenging mystery of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears relief is on the horizon. On December 11 and 18, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. read more…
One of Our Favorite Holidays
On behalf of everyone at Chelko and our clients, we would like to recognize the efforts of Lucia Vescera and Kelly Prymicz on National Pharmacist Day. read more…
Chelko Builds on Experience and Expertise with Latest Addition
With the recent addition of insurance industry veteran Karen Hallinin, the Chelko Consulting Group adds expertise and confirms its commitment to serving the employee benefit needs of employers in Central and Southern Ohio. As a senior advisor to the firm’s clients, Karen will help build on the great foundation established by Dirk Raderstorf and others in the bottom half of the state over the last 20 years. read more…
Is COVID-19 Worse than a Root Canal?
COVID-19 had a dramatic impact on work and life. Health care changed dramatically too, with huge drops in emergency room use and an immediate shift to telehealth. But how about dental care? Did it get lost in the “work from home” shuffle? The pandemic’s impact may have actually been bigger on dental than on medical care and prescription drugs. read more…
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24651 Center Ridge Rd, Suite 110
Westlake, Ohio 44145
Phone: 440.892.2600
Fax: 440.892.8920
Email: info@chelkogroup.com