Employer-Paid

Provisions could expand employer access to plan data, create a new coverage purchasing option, and soup up health savings accounts.

UnitedHealth put AI at the heart of its turnaround strategy since profits collapsed last year, to drive efficiency and to address customers' frustrations such as by speeding up care approvals.

New West Health–Gallup data show fewer than half of Americans can consistently afford care and prescriptions, with widening disparities across income, age, and racial groups.

"By taking a realistic look at your health status and health care expenses as part of your overall retirement plan and budgeting accordingly, you position yourself to enjoy a less stressful, financially healthier retirement," the report said.

The majority of employees (85%) are experiencing significant workplace stress, almost one-third (29%) fear they can't make ends meet on a full-time salary, and 81% say they have some desire to change careers entirely.

Too often, Ben Link says, the plan's actual value depends on what the PBM does to the parameters.