News & Insights

Health

Aug 17, 2026

Navigating the Inflection Point: What a Changing Public Health Landscape Means for Employer-Sponsored Benefits

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Bolton’s Compliance Download newsletter covering employee benefits compliance updates and guidance

Health

September 17, 2026

The Compliance Download, September Vol. 2

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Bolton’s Compliance Download newsletter covering employee benefits compliance updates and guidance

Health

September 2, 2026

The Compliance Download, September Vol. 1

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Investment

September 2, 2026

July 2026 Monthly Economic Update

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View of the State House of Maryland in Annapolis from Lawyer's Mall. The Maryland state flag hangs from a lamp post in the foreground.

Health

August 26, 2026

Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance

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Health

August 17, 2026

Navigating the Inflection Point: What a Changing Public Health Landscape Means for Employer-Sponsored Benefits

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The Right Drug the First Time: What Pharmacogenomics Could Mean for Your Health Plan Finding the right prescription shouldn’t be a guessing game. Every medication change, adverse reaction, and ineffective prescription can lead to more doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and higher healthcare costs. For employers already grappling with rising costs, these factors can add up quickly. Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing offers a way to make prescriptions more precise from the start, making care more effective and lowering costs. Before diving into the details of how PGx works, let’s take a step back and talk about what it is. PGx testing acts as a cheat sheet to an individual’s DNA. It looks at how genes influence the way a person processes medications, indicating what prescriptions can be broken down quickly, which are ineffective, and even which ones may cause harm. Instead of prescribing by trial-and-error (or let’s be honest, a bit of educated guesswork), providers get a genetic head start on finding out what actually works for their patients. That means fewer medication switches, fewer adverse reactions, and an improved experience for patients . Research suggests this approach makes a noticeable difference for patients. A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that nearly 86% of more than 400 patients received actionable medication recommendations after testing . This included changing medications, adjusting dosages, discontinuing ineffective therapies, and increasing monitoring for potential side effects. These improvements can also translate into healthcare savings. The American Journal of Managed Care published a study that found PGx testing increases the likelihood that patients receive the right medication and dosage earlier in treatment . Even after accounting for the cost of testing, the study found an average annual savings of almost $4,000 per patient . This was driven by fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits, reducing delays in treatment, and lowering other healthcare costs. As awareness around PGx testing grows, so does employer and employee interest. Bolton recently launched two pilot programs and has seen encouraging early engagement. One pilot, designed for 100 participants, enrolled more than 140 employees. Another filled all 50 spots within a week. Outcome reporting is still underway, but strong participation indicates employees are interested in personalized pharmacy benefits that can curb broader adverse health outcomes. As personalization sweeps everything from grocery shopping to advertising, shouldn’t prescription drugs lead the way? Employers that proactively evaluate emerging strategies like PGx testing may be better positioned to improve healthcare and reduce unnecessary spending. Ultimately, the goal shouldn’t be just to lower costs. It should be to help employees receive the right medication the first time.

Health

August 17, 2026

The Right Drug the First Time: What Pharmacogenomics Could Mean for Your Health Plan

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Stock market investment trading graph growth.Investment finance chart,stock market business and exchange financial growth graph

Investment

July 24, 2026

June 2026 Monthly Economic Update

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Patient receiving prenatal care during an exam, highlighting fertility and family-building benefits in employer health plans.

Health

July 22, 2026

A Proposed New Federal Rule Could Change How Employers Offer Fertility Benefits

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Bolton’s Compliance Download newsletter covering employee benefits compliance updates and guidance

Health

July 15, 2026

The Compliance Download, July Vol. 1

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Bolton’s Compliance Download newsletter covering employee benefits compliance updates and guidance

Health

July 1, 2026

The Compliance Download, June Vol. 3

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Investment

June 25, 2026

Bolton Investment’s 7th Annual Webinar to Keep Yourself Out of Fiduciary Jail

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Investment

June 25, 2026

Join Us for Bolton Investment’s 7th Annual Webinar to Keep You Out of Fiduciary Jail!

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