More Health Insurance Hurdles for Americans in 2007; Employees Pay More As Coverage Becomes More Expensive and Limited
Posted on: Wednesday, 14 February 2007, 12:02 CST
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- 2007 will bring significant changes in health insurance benefits for employees and their families. Employers are implementing benefit options with large deductibles and health savings account options as a way to reduce their costs. Meantime, families are faced with lots of questions:
* Should I choose a low-premium plan, which means higher co-payments? * If I choose a high-deductible plan coupled with a health savings account, do I fund it with pre-tax dollars, which will decrease my monthly paycheck? * Will I get a better deal if I get coverage through my spouse's company rather than my own?
Making the right choice is crucial, because the option one chooses is in effect for a year. But employers may not know the pros and cons well enough to help their employees choose the best options. Patient Care, a national advocacy company (http://www.patientcare4u.com/ ), helps employers and their employees understand their choices and make them wisely.
In 2006, employers became much more pro-active in implementing requirements for employees and their families related to health and wellness, enacting some new strategies:
* More testing -- Requiring employees and their spouses take a health risk assessment that includes a complete set of lab testing. Those employees who do not comply are automatically enrolled in the high deductible plan. * Smokers pay more -- Increasing premiums for any employee or spouse who smokes. Smokers are likely to incur higher healthcare costs. Increasing premiums mean that they pay more of the costs because of their behavior. * Charge more if options exist -- Charging employees an additional premium if the employee covers their spouse when the spouse has coverage available through their employer. * Health Savings Accounts -- Replacing all benefit options with a high deductible plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA) option. A health savings account allows the participant to put aside money out of their paycheck pre tax which accrues and which belongs to the employee, not to their employer. This money can be used at any time to pay for healthcare expenses.
"Unfortunately, Americans are having to bear the brunt of rising medical costs," said Jane Cooper, CEO of national healthcare advocacy company Patient Care. "Employers are faced with having to provide health insurance that is affordable for both the employee and the employer. It results in reduced health care coverage at an increased premium."
Patient Care is a patient advocacy firm that helps its members navigate the health insurance maze by working to resolve their issues and provide information and assistance. The service is available to employer groups and individuals. With offices in Milwaukee and New Orleans, Patient Care serves over 140,000 members throughout the United States. For more information on Patient Care, visit http://www.patientcare4u.com/
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Jane Cooper http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=34934
Patient Care
CONTACT: Mary Mouton, +1-504-269-4895, or mary@moutonmedia.com , forPatient Care
Web site: http://www.patientcare4u.com/
Source: PRNewswire
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