A new year and a new decade call for a refresh of the monthly index of interesting stats and blurbs on healthcare and finance. Inspired by the Harper’s index. Enjoy.
The estimated median % increase in earnings per share an S&P 1,000 firm by saving 10% on employee healthcare costs: 1.2%
Reported healthcare savings two years into the JPMorgan Chase-Berkshire Hathaway-Amazon healthcare joint venture initiative known as Haven: N/A
The number of bonds in the foreign fixed income allocation of the Vanguard 2040 Target-Date Fund: 6,000+
Allocation of that fund towards Germany: 10%
The interest rate on a 30-year 2050 German government bond: 0%
Market share of US-based unicorns (private tech firms valued at >$1B+): 49%
US population as % of world’s population: 4.25%
The ratio of US global unicorn market share to US population: 11.5x
In Germany: 1.7x
The typical variation in insurance-based total costs for flu shots: 3x
Median savings on generic drugs as dispensed through direct primary care: 70%*
The expected deductible increase required to offset a 10% increase in healthcare costs (assuming a $1000 baseline deductible): 3x
The variable with the greatest impact on health plan enrollment in employer health plans (take-up rates): payroll contributions
The decrease in the take-up rate from a bi-monthly payroll increase of $42.00: 8%**
An employee’s annual dollar cost for the bottom 10th percentile platinum benefits package for family coverage while working for a large services company: $7,700
For the top 10% most generous: $700
Number of views this great by dry video on valuing a healthcare benefits package has gotten after 1 month: 13.
Number of credit unions offering health savings accounts (HSAs): 851
Market share of top 3 HSA providers: 47%
Typical cash yield on HSA balances: 10 basis points
Annual yield from an online savings account such as American Express: 170 basis points
Total estimated invested HSA balances in 2019: $13B
401(k) assets: >$6T
*Savings based on the 20 most frequent generic prescription for two DPC practices representing over 3,000 patient lives vs. the 2nd lowest GoodRx price.
**(single coverage, 95% CI, 8% +/- 2%, P<.001; source; analysis of kaiser employer healthcare data).
Disclosures: my personal healthcare coverage is a $5,000 deductible cost-sharing plan (not ACA compliant). Healthcare investments: long CI, HQY; short (via puts): LVGO. My HSA account is with Lively.
