How employers plan to control health costs in 2013 [Michigan Chronicle (MI)]
By Rubleski, Jeff | |
Proquest LLC |
Some good news/bad news for employers.
On the bright side of the ledger, your strategies for health care cost control are working.
Both studies attribute the lower costs in part to two factors: Changes in plan design and increases in employee contributions.
Thankfully, the days of year-over-year double-digit premium increases appear to have ended. But then again, companies' real goal is to reduce insurance costs, which are still increasing, albeit at a slower rate, every year. However, new taxes and fees that will be levied on health insurance policies as a result of the Affordable Care Act will put added pressure on health insurance premiums beginning in 2014.
So how can you accomplish granting employees health insurance protection while still providing highly valued benefits within a tight budget? The right strategy will depend on your goals, budget and commitment to your employees' health and well-being. Here are some of the things other employers are doing to control their costs with links to comparable offerings available from Blue Cross Blue Shield of
* According to the
*40% are cultivating employee health and well-being as a central part of their strategy.
*61% are using financial rewards for individuals who participate in health management programs/activities.
* 33% of companies are taking steps to educate and support more informed health care.
*An online survey of 329 benefit decision makers at
* Encourage every employee to take a Health Risk Assessment.
* Increased the share of premiums for employees and their spouses and dependents.
*Offer a high deductible health plan.
*A survey by the
*GlidePath - A new defined contribution, private exchange offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Rising benefit costs is a challenge for all companies. GlidePath, a new solution from Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Copyright: | (c) 2013 Michigan Chronicle |
Wordcount: | 528 |
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