Medical cost trend: Behind the numbers 2025: PwC Health Research Institute, July 2024.

The article discusses various trends and issues related to medical benefits and healthcare costs. It highlights the rise of consumer-directed health plans with health savings accounts, increased coverage for infertility services, and the inclusion of weight management programs in wellbeing initiatives. The article also mentions concerns about stress and burnout in the workplace and the need for mental health resources. Additionally, it discusses the projected growth in healthcare spending due to inflationary pressures, prescription drug spending, and behavioral health utilization. The article emphasizes the impact of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs on medical costs and the need for health plans to consider their coverage strategies. It also mentions the challenges faced by Americans in getting their health insurance to work for them, including high deductibles, copayments, billing errors, and denials of coverage. The article concludes by highlighting the need for individuals to challenge erroneous bills and the higher rates of billing problems among those covered by employer plans, marketplace or individual market plans, and Medicare. [Extracted from the article]

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