Ceridian Web Forum: Dependent Audits Can Cut Costs in Era of Health Care Reform

Ceridian research shows American companies lose an estimated $22 billion annually paying for the health care of their employees’ ineligible dependents.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ceridian Corporation, a leading provider of managed human resource and employee benefits administration services, announced today it will present a free educational Web forum on dependent eligibility audits to help employers reduce the cost of providing health care to their employees.

“Dependent Audits in a Health Care Reform Environment: Proven Ways to Cut Health Care Costs Now,” will be broadcast live from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, July 15, 2010. Those interested in attending can register on Ceridian’s web site.

“Even with the recent reform legislation, the rising cost of health care remains a top concern for employers,” said Jon Attwooll, product manager of Ceridian Verification Services and the presenter of the Web forum. “One of the most effective, immediate ways to significantly cut health care costs is with a well-executed dependent eligibility audit.”

Attwooll said many employers are concerned that health care reform’s age-26 provision, which extends health insurance coverage to adult children up to age 26, will significantly increase costs.

“Our research shows that even without this new category of dependents, up to 15 percent of employees’ dependents receiving employer-provided medical benefits aren’t eligible to receive them,” Attwooll said. “By removing just one ineligible dependent from a health care plan, an employer can save about $3,000 annually, regardless of whether the plan is fully insured or self-insured.”

For more than a decade Ceridian has offered dependent audits, in which companies request proof that employees’ dependents, such as spouses and children, qualify for medical benefits under an employer-sponsored plan. However, the spiraling cost of health care, combined with employers’ increased focus on expense management, has increased the demand for this service.

“The savings that result from dependent audits are immediate and often staggering, ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, even millions, depending on company size,” Attwooll said.

About Ceridian

Ceridian is a leading global business services company that provides reality-based KnowHow to take the guesswork out of impacting your organization’s bottom line. From human resources and benefits to productivity and payroll services, we help organizations maximize their human, financial and technology resources. As a leader in payroll outsourcing, gift cards and corporate expense management, we're the driving force in payment innovation. Whether we're partnering with you to save money, grow your business, enhance operations or minimize financial risks we provide the insights and solutions that ensure your success. For more information about Ceridian visit www.ceridian.com or call 800-729-7655.

Follow Ceridian_US on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ceridian_us

Watch Ceridian’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/ceridian

Ceridian
Joe Brown, 727-395-8952
[email protected]

Source: Ceridian Corporation