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A Tale of $2,000

by Industry TrendsThought Leadership

Whether Einstein said it or not, compound interest is amazing: “...the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it earns it, he who doesn't, pays it.” Negative compounding is powerful too, and we pay it in the form of healthcare inflation.Over the last 10 years, annual healthcare inflation for workers has averaged 5%calculated as the yearly change in premiums and deductibles from 2008 to 2018, or more than double CPI. 1/3 of that 5% is general inflation, the rest: admin, regulations, wages ...

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An Analysis of Direct Primary Care

by Direct Primary CareIndustry Trends

Mark Twain said “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope." Paying cash for primary care is not new, but it's a model that's resurging after decades of being overly tangled with insurance*. Direct primary care (DPC) is a cash-based membership model for more rational delivery of care, benefiting both doctors and patients. It reduces care to the fewest number of intermediaries and stodgy layers, while ...

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Munger on Healthcare

by Uncategorized

It's an odd meeting, the Daily Journal Company ($DJCO) shareholders' meeting, where global crowds come to listen to Chairman of the Board, Charlie Munger (born 1924). The event covers a few minutes of lackluster company results with a bunch of other old dudes from the board who talk candidly about the nature of the business: government RFPs are really hard. Newspapers are even harder. The firm's marketable securities line on its balance sheet keeps the company afloat. But the real draw is busine ...

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The Most Important Signal

by EducationThought Leadership

In a sea of experiences, AI, and new solutions claiming to make us healthier, when it comes to employer-sponsored healthcare, for most employees, what matters most is the almighty dollar. The cash we pay is king. Payroll contributions. That's the critical number. Independent of insurance structure, whose logo is on your insurance card, network types, step-trackers, special networks, questionnaires, demands for your blood, feel-good online coaching, and brochures about healthy living are mostly ...

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January’s Index

by IndexUncategorized

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 ...