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Dangers of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert your attention away from the main task of driving.¹ It is something that is both dangerous and disturbingly common. In fact, an estimated 660,000 drivers are using electronic devices while driving during daylight hours.² You may be surprised to learn that cell phones and texting are just part of the problem when it comes to distracted driving. While stowing your phone while you drive is an important safety step, other behaviors behind the wheel, from drinking coffee to using a navigation system, may also be putting you at risk.

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Reference-Based Pricing: A PPO Alternative

Employers that provide health insurance for their employees know first-hand how the high cost of healthcare negatively impacts their business, and how cost shifting to employees challenges their workers. The skyrocketing trend of healthcare costs has become a widely accepted norm that leaves many feeling helpless, but viable alternative solutions are available. For those ready for change, understanding the options is the first step. 

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Business Pollution Coverage & Potential Exposures

When it comes to determining which businesses need pollution coverage, most businesses think they know the answer. The manufacturing plant with its tall smoke stacks, the local gas station or the rock quarry down the road. In short: anyone but me.

What constitutes a pollution claim?

The misconception around pollution exposure and the need for coverage is based on the fact that most businesses believe that pollution claims arise from traditional environmental claims like oil spills or water contamination. The reality is that pollution claims can come in many unexpected ways. For example, a faulty HVAC unit in a commercial building that starts to release carbon monoxide fumes that can lead to injury to the tenants. Another example is a contractor excavating for the foundation of a building that hits a sewer pipe. Each of these situations arises from the normal operations of the business, but each results in a pollution claim.  

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Cigna to buy Express Scripts for $67 billion

Cigna, one of the largest health insurers in the country, is set to acquire pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts (ESI) in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $67 billion. The proposed deal has Cigna acquiring ESI at a 31% premium and is expected to close by the end of 2018.  

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Pharmacy Trend: The Rising Cost of Diabetes

One hundred million Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes and newly diagnosed cases have tripled over the past 20 years. As the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, diabetes is characterized by inadequate insulin secretion resulting in high blood sugar and potential long-term heart, kidney, eye or nerve complications. Along with the rise of newly diagnosed cases, there has been a sharp increase in the cost of medication, presenting a challenge for many diabetic patients and their employers.

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