 |
| Sep 30, 2009 |
|
CDHP adoption rate rose among big employers, despite the economy |
| Sep 16, 2009 |
|
Employees like their health plans, despite gaps in understanding |
| Sep 10, 2009 |
|
Obama proposes controversial employer mandate, public option |
| Sep 1, 2009 |
|
Hospital cracks down on ER visits |
| Aug 20, 2009 |
|
COBRA enrollment soars, reports Hewitt |
| Aug 11, 2009 |
|
NY law seen as harbinger of more state health reform |
| Aug 4, 2009 |
|
Near-term health trends familiar, irrespective of reform |
| Jul 21, 2009 |
|
Employers lukewarm on public-plan option, survey shows |
| Jul 17, 2009 |
|
House committee approves health reform bill |
| Jul 15, 2009 |
|
Senate committee passes health reform bill |
| Jul 7, 2009 |
|
‘Pay or play’ not as painful as originally thought |
| Jul 1, 2009 |
|
Five costly conditions to watch |
| Jun 30, 2009 |
|
Americans go online for health information |
| Jun 23, 2009 |
|
Pennsylvania passes mini-COBRA law |
| Jun 16, 2009 |
|
Health benefits taxation takes center stage |
| Jun 8, 2009 |
|
Obama alters stance on health reform proposals |
| May 28, 2009 |
|
Mail trail shows health insurers readying for reform |
| May 19, 2009 |
|
Health care costs hit women harder |
| May 7, 2009 |
|
To see a doctor, get in line |
| May 1, 2009 |
|
Considering the exit ramp: Employers rethink offering health benefits |
| Apr 23, 2009 |
|
Hard times tighten ‘use-it-or-loss-it’ bond to health benefits |
| Apr 13, 2009 |
|
COBRA subsidy expected to be costly |
| Apr 6, 2009 |
|
Workplace wellness bill reintroduced with greater support |
| Mar 24, 2009 |
|
New COBRA model notices released |
| Mar 10, 2009 |
|
Twelve ways to slash medical bills |
| Mar 1, 2009 |
|
Self-insuring is a way for employers to get 'a whole lotta cannoli' |
| Feb 23, 2009 |
|
Employers turn to eligibility audits, voluntary benefits to control health care costs |
| Feb 11, 2009 |
|
Senate, House debate COBRA subsidy |
| Feb 3, 2009 |
|
Dems optimistic on comprehensive health reform |
| Feb 1, 2009 |
|
How's this for an incentive? You get to keep your health insurance |
| Jan 27, 2009 |
|
Medicare reimbursement shakes things up |
| Jan 20, 2009 |
|
Health benefit costs continue to rise, survey shows |
| Jan 13, 2009 |
|
N.Y. proposes policy requiring employers to extend dependent coverage |
| Jan 1, 2009 |
|
Health care reform to take center stage this year |
| Dec 16, 2008 |
|
Employees cut back on health costs - for better or worse |
| Dec 1, 2008 |
|
Moderating health care costs could signal trouble ahead |
| Nov 25, 2008 |
|
Tobacco addiction costs employers $167.5 billion a year |
| Nov 18, 2008 |
|
Benefits professionals favor drastically reworked employer-based systems in new administration |
| Nov 11, 2008 |
|
Employers urged to flex muscle on health care reform |
| Nov 4, 2008 |
|
Obesity epidemic remains a battle |
| Nov 1, 2008 |
|
Evidence shows positive outcomes from greater investment in primary care |
| Oct 21, 2008 |
|
Losing sight of wellness program goals |
| Oct 14, 2008 |
|
DOL seeks comments on how health plans use genetic data |
| Oct 1, 2008 |
|
More patients heading to the emergency room |
| Sep 23, 2008 |
|
BFE: Up your FMLA ante with these helpful tips |
| Sep 15, 2008 |
|
Companies combat high HMO premiums with aggressive strategies |
| Sep 8, 2008 |
|
Steady support for wellness and disease management |
| Sep 1, 2008 |
|
Chronic conditions afflict more than half of Americans |
| Aug 12, 2008 |
|
HHS wants wellness program advice |
| Aug 1, 2008 |
|
Attention all shoppers: How to be a smart PBM shopper |
| Jul 15, 2008 |
|
Parties stand far apart on health care reform |
| Jul 10, 2008 |
|
Benefits to protect— and add— during economic downturns |
| Jul 1, 2008 |
|
Seven Self-Insurance Myths |
| Jun 24, 2008 |
|
Growth of employer medical costs projected to accelerate |
| Jun 15, 2008 |
|
Pushing the envelope: Zero tolerance on tobacco use |
| Jun 1, 2008 |
|
A new direction for health care reform and HMOs |
| May 27, 2008 |
|
What's next for health care reform? |
| May 20, 2008 |
|
Ohio, W.Va. and Pa. say no to CDHPs, survey reports |
| May 6, 2008 |
|
Health plan study shows performance varies region to region |
| May 1, 2008 |
|
Benefits finance: Is a self-insured health plan right for your company? |
| Apr 29, 2008 |
|
HHS Secretary Leavitt backs value-based health care |
| Apr 22, 2008 |
|
Obesity costs employers $45 billion a year |
| Apr 10, 2008 |
|
Want to reduce sick days by an average of 41%? The solution is easy. Just walk. |
| Apr 1, 2008 |
|
Robust incentives may improve retention rates in wellness programs |
| Mar 25, 2008 |
|
Mercer Report: Employers focus on generic and specialty drugs to reduce Rx costs |
| Mar 11, 2008 |
|
How to make your PBM more accountable |
| Mar 6, 2008 |
|
Americans alarmed by gaps in quality health care delivery |
| Feb 21, 2008 |
|
PBMI launches career center for drug benefit industry |
| Feb 12, 2008 |
|
Business group wants to reduce health disparities among minorities |
| Feb 5, 2008 |
|
Using incentives for health risk appraisals |
| Jan 31, 2008 |
|
Mid-size employer turns to "hybrid" CDHP model |
| Jan 15, 2008 |
|
Employees take advantage of wellness resources - when they're available |
| Jan 8, 2008 |
|
Consumers are in the dark on health insurance terminology |
| Jan 1, 2008 |
|
Checking the label: Transparency, generics utilization key components to effective PBM relationship |
| Dec 18, 2007 |
|
Group counters belief that benefits sky is falling |
| Dec 4, 2007 |
|
Touting large-scale ideas for health reform |
| Nov 20, 2007 |
|
Health benefit costs still outpace the rate of inflation |
| Nov 8, 2007 |
|
Toolkit outlines best practices in health coverage for mothers, children and adolescents |
| Nov 1, 2007 |
|
Communications, wellness prove challenging for HR |
| Oct 15, 2007 |
|
HealthMarkets charged with misleading customers and denying required care |
| Oct 4, 2007 |
|
Is your company prepared for a pandemic? |
| Sep 25, 2007 |
|
Focus on health plan design paying off for employers |
| Sep 15, 2007 |
|
iPhone puts consumers' health records in the palm of hand |
| Aug 23, 2007 |
|
Health insurers are starting to focus on value-driven plans |
| Aug 9, 2007 |
|
California to produce first PPO report card |
| Aug 1, 2007 |
|
Chicago museum makes walking exhibit grounds cornerstone of successful, no-frills wellness program |
| Jul 24, 2007 |
|
Health care costs top employer concerns |
| Jul 12, 2007 |
|
Benefit professionals react to Moore's depiction of health care |
| Jul 1, 2007 |
|
Creating wellness incentives that resonate with workers |
| Jun 21, 2007 |
|
Health insurance inflation is slowing down |
| Jun 15, 2007 |
|
On the contrary: Employers not looking to shift costs |
| Jun 1, 2007 |
|
Can't we all just get along? Achieving successful benefits integration with multiple carriers |
| May 17, 2007 |
|
Employers shift focus to prevention |
| May 17, 2005 |
|
Employers shift focus to prevention |
| May 8, 2007 |
|
Fortune 500 firms push for health reform |
| May 2, 2007 |
|
Biotech drug costs skyrocket |
| Apr 26, 2007 |
|
Experts help small firms with health plans |
| Apr 18, 2007 |
|
Group says health premium jumps should be justified |
| Apr 5, 2007 |
|
HMOs more cost-effective in California |
| Mar 20, 2007 |
|
CVS buys Caremark |
| Mar 6, 2007 |
|
Americans value e-health services |
| Feb 22, 2007 |
|
Top-rated hospitals have lower mortality rates |
| Feb 5, 2007 |
|
Participation in wellness programs grows |
| Jan 25, 2007 |
|
Country reacts to Bush health care proposal |
| Jan 16, 2007 |
|
FMLA ruling protects subsidiaries |
| Jan 10, 2007 |
|
Latest CDH trend may be plan attrition |
| Jan 3, 2007 |
|
Tool helps employers keep up with the "Joneses" |
| Dec 20, 2006 |
|
Majority unaware of medical costs |
| Dec 13, 2006 |
|
Bill makes HSAs more flexible |
| Dec 5, 2006 |
|
Half of CDHP users would switch plans if possible |
| Dec 1, 2006 |
|
Health inflation lower, but worries grow over "fraying benefits" |
| Nov 30, 2006 |
|
NBGH launches free guide to preventive care |
| Nov 16, 2006 |
|
Medical costs may show double-digit increase in 2007 |
| Nov 7, 2006 |
|
Most workers do not use FSAs |
| Oct 25, 2006 |
|
PBMs keeping up with Wal-Mart |
| Oct 17, 2006 |
|
Consumers prefer generics to brand drugs |
| Oct 11, 2006 |
|
Workers worried about future of health benefits |
| Oct 1, 2006 |
|
Dental providers embark on new ways to offer benefits |
| Sep 20, 2006 |
|
Questions remain about provider quality programs |
| Sep 15, 2006 |
|
Cheaper Zocor throws generic market a curveball |
| Sep 6, 2006 |
|
HSA assets surge over past six months |
| Sep 1, 2006 |
|
Consumers get more tools to gauge medical costs, quality |
| Aug 31, 2006 |
|
Workers motivated by richer benefits |
| Aug 24, 2006 |
|
Bush compels price and quality transparency in health care |
| Aug 17, 2006 |
|
Workers uneasy about pay, health care |
| Aug 9, 2006 |
|
HMOs account for one quarter of insurance market |
| Aug 1, 2006 |
|
Generics influx drags prescription drug trend to seven-year low |
| Jul 25, 2006 |
|
Depression costs related to health care access |
| Jul 12, 2006 |
|
Research shows effects of quality ratings for surgeons |
| Jul 6, 2006 |
|
Employers portend scaling back retiree medical benefits |
| Jun 20, 2006 |
|
Tips for CDHP roll-outs |
| Jun 15, 2006 |
|
Ohioans recoup $6.5 million in health claims |
| Jun 8, 2006 |
|
Not-so-great expectations for health costs |
| Jun 1, 2006 |
|
Vermont latest state to pass health reform |
| May 30, 2006 |
|
Study gauges health data gap |
| May 17, 2006 |
|
Most employers do not offer DM, wellness, but they want to |
| May 10, 2006 |
|
Declining employer-sponsored health plans documented |
| Apr 27, 2006 |
|
Workers build muscle with incentives |
| Apr 25, 2006 |
|
Change coverage to lower pregnancy cost |
| Apr 20, 2006 |
|
Health experts face off on access vs. innovation |
| Apr 15, 2005 |
|
Target draws bead on consumer-driven health care |
| Apr 11, 2006 |
|
Female employers worry about skyrocketing health costs |
| Apr 5, 2006 |
|
Mental health benefits add value, not cost |
| Mar 27, 2006 |
|
Validate your health ROI to the CFO |
| Mar 21, 2006 |
|
Variety of strategies needed to curb health costs |
| Mar 9, 2006 |
|
Managers doubt CDH will make workers healthier |
| Mar 1, 2006 |
|
Health care to account for 20% of GDP by 2015 |
| Feb 23, 2006 |
|
Higher co-pay differentials increase generic fill rates |
| Feb 14, 2006 |
|
Consumer advocates worry about health data privacy |
| Feb 7, 2006 |
|
Cost and talent issues challenge benefit professionals |
| Jan 25, 2006 |
|
More than half of seniors stay away from Part D |
| Jan 15, 2006 |
|
Mind the Meds: Top 10 pharmacy benefits management strategies for 2006 |
| Jan 2, 2006 |
|
Put your health care eggs in many baskets |
| Dec 14, 2005 |
|
CDH participants dissatisfied but frugal |
| Dec 8, 2005 |
|
Health care banking gets the Blues |
| Dec 1, 2005 |
|
Generic drugs offer employers untapped savings |
| Nov 29, 2005 |
|
Care management, cost-shifting reduce health costs |
| Nov 17, 2005 |
|
Pay-for-performance generates quality improvements |
| Nov 15, 2005 |
|
Employers should examine full impact of obesity |
| Nov 3, 2005 |
|
US CEOs more health care cost conscious |
| Nov 1, 2005 |
|
Health cost relief takes center stage at BMF&E |
| Oct 25, 2005 |
|
Wal-Mart extends lower-cost health insurance |
| Oct 11, 2005 |
|
Large companies find lower health care hikes since 1999 |
| Sep 21, 2005 |
|
Cost-shift trend is also costing brokers |
| Sep 15, 2005 |
|
Financial incentives touted as health care cost fix |
| Sep 8, 2005 |
|
PBM mail-order pharmacies deliver cheaper drugs |
| Aug 31, 2005 |
|
A spoonful of compliance helps health costs go down |
| Aug 18, 2005 |
|
AutoNation claims UnitedHealthcare overpaid by $10 million |
| Aug 16, 2005 |
|
Consumers elevate HMOs over PPOs |
| Aug 9, 2005 |
|
Medical cost containment depends on changing habits |
| Aug 2, 2005 |
|
Employers could see relief in benefit costs |
| Jul 26, 2005 |
|
PBMs scoop up specialty pharmacies |
| Jul 15, 2005 |
|
Off and running: Self-funded employers may have head start in push for wellness |
| Jul 5, 2005 |
|
Walgreens says drug costs rose 7.2% in 2004 |
| Jun 28, 2005 |
|
More than half of employers concerned about wellness |
| Jan 21, 2005 |
|
Benefit managers offer best ways to ease health costs |
| Jun 14, 2005 |
|
UnitedHealth has a million in consumer-driven plans |
| Jun 9, 2005 |
|
Uninsured worsen medical inflation for workers |
| Jun 1, 2005 |
|
New study puts medical costs into focus |
| May 24, 2005 |
|
Disease management has become the norm |
| May 10, 2005 |
|
Unions found to have better access to health insurance |
| May 4, 2005 |
|
Employers don't lie down for higher premiums |
| Apr 28, 2005 |
|
Mandatory health insurance rejected in California |
| Apr 21, 2005 |
|
GM says health costs partly to blame for first-quarter losses |
| Apr 12, 2005 |
|
Group launches program to buy health insurance in bulk |
| Apr 7, 2005 |
|
Maryland considers bill that mandates benefits spending |
| Mar 25, 2005 |
|
Many would sacrifice choice for lower health costs |
| Mar 15, 2005 |
|
State health mandates scrutinized |
| Feb 9, 2005 |
|
Scandals may prompt more online insurance bidding |
| Jan 19, 2005 |
|
Employers should investigate disease management math crimes |
| Jan 12, 2005 |
|
Clients tackle medical inflation roots |
| Jan 8, 2005 |
|
Employees prefer work-based insurance |
| Dec 21, 2004 |
|
Automated Systems For Drugs Examined |
| Dec 14, 2004 |
|
Companies Rapidly Cutting Health Benefits |
| Dec 2, 2004 |
|
40 Percent in U.S. Use Prescription Drugs |
| Nov 1, 2004 |
|
Your New Health Plan |
| Sep 27, 2004 |
|
Health costs rising faster than incomes, study says |
| Sep 13, 2004 |
|
Employers slow shift of health care cost burden to workers |
| Aug 10, 2004 |
|
Health care costs employers more than paid leave |
| Jul 15, 2004 |
|
Health insurers lost $85 billion to fraud last year |
| Jul 22, 2004 |
|
Health and productivity management intrigues firms |
| Jun 4, 2004 |
|
Rising benefit costs hurt small businesses' financial health |
| Feb 28, 2004 |
|
Strike-weary grocery workers eye new offer |
| Feb 28, 2004 |
|
Experts ponder limitations of cost-sharing |
|
|
Companies combat high HMO premiums with aggressive strategies
HMO premium rates are predicted to increase by 11.8% in 2009, according to new information from Hewitt Associates. This number is lower than last year's predictions (13.2%) but will still be higher than inflation and health care cost trends.
"We expect to see more companies move away from traditional employer strategies - such as employee cost-shifting - toward more aggressive and innovative steps that not only help mitigate health care costs, but also keep more money in employees' pockets," says Jeff Smith, a senior consultant and co-leader of Hewitt's HMO rate analysis project.
"As the economy continues to weaken, and because salary increases are expected to remain similar to last year, employers are becoming increasingly sensitive to the effect higher health care costs have on employee take-home pay and payroll deductions."
Smith says that Hewitt remains confident that employers will be able to reduce overall rate increases by 2% to 3% through negotiation.
Regional differences
The Southeast is predicted to have the highest average rate increase (15.4%), while the Southwest will see the lowest increase, 7.3%.
"It's hard to pinpoint exactly why HMO premium increases fluctuate across regions, but we do know that variances in demographics, health risks, provider density/costs/quality, plan designs and coverage in specific areas of the country all play a role," Maureen Fay, a principal and co-leader of Hewitt's HMO rate analysis project, points out.
"As health plans finalize their rates through the summer and fall, we will be able to better analyze the specific cost drivers contributing to the increases in each region and explain why those differences are trending above or below national average."
Cost-saving tips
To combat high rate increases, Hewitt has designated the following best practices:
* Consolidate vendors and move to self-insured plans. This allows for more leverage in the negotiations process and reduces overall cost due to the smaller number of health plans managed.
"By combining HMO enrollment under a national or regional self-insured platform, employers are able to streamline administration, offer more consistent designs across their markets and reduce costs - all of which help them avoid additional cost-shifting to employees, either in the form of reduced benefits or higher payroll increases," Smith comments.
* Increase focus on employee health initiatives. Over the next three to five years, more than 85% of companies plan to invest in long-term health and productivity resources, Hewitt research states.
* Negotiate aggressively. More and more employers are successfully negotiating with plans and holding them accountable for delivering ROI on specific measures, like health and wellness. More than 60% of companies report planning to ask their vendors for quarterly reports within the next five years, Hewitt finds.
* Shift cost to dependents. Dependent audits are becoming a popular way to control costs. More than 40% of Hewitt's clients have conducted a dependent audit in the past five years, and another 10% planned to conduct one in 2008.
"On average, covered dependents account for more than half of the cost a company spends on health care, so while employers want to be viewed as family-friendly, they believe taking steps to reduce dependent costs are necessary in order to continue to provide affordable coverage for their workers," says Bob Tate, chief health care actuary at Hewitt.
"At the same time, companies realize that cost-shifting is not a sustainable long-term strategy for reducing health care spend, and they are moving beyond health and wellness strategies that focus solely on employees to ones that emphasize their entire covered population, which may include spouses, children and other dependents," he adds.
By McLean Robbins
|
|
|
