Category Archives: Policy Matters
Business Benefits TV Episode 5 – No Cost Benefits
In this episode, Jim Edholm and his associate talk about voluntary benefits. Voluntary, employee-pay-all benefits can be made available for various coverage classes such as disability insurance, life insurance, dental, critical illness, accident and many other coverages. Employees appreciate the benefits almost as much as they do benefits that are employer-paid, so they can add [...]
Benefit Trends, 2012 Version
Met Life does a study every year titled, “Study of Employee Benefit Trends.” This year was the 10th year they’ve done it, and there are some very interesting items in it, which I plan to cover over the coming weeks. This is Met Life’s data but my interpretation.
New Massachusetts Health Care Cost Control Breakthrough
Harvard Pilgrim announced today that it’s rolling out a new cost control incentive for those covered by group health insurance in Massachusetts. The initiative is called SaveOn and the concept is to actually put cash into the hands of patients for choosing to use lower-cost, high-quality providers.
National Malpractice Reform Equals Lower Health Care Costs
One of the first bills of the legislative season, H.R. 5 (The “HEALTH Act” – Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare of 2011) has been introduced (January 29). I know that many attorneys will be up in arms at the thought of anything that restricts their ability to sue, but this appears to be a [...]
The Doctor Is In — The Workplace, That Is
Wellness is gaining traction among employers, and many are getting aggressive by providing care services at the workplace, and some (obviously the larger ones) are building onsite clinics, These programs have become the hub of a wide range of efforts to promote good health. Employers aren’t being altruistic; rather, they recognize that good health reduces [...]
Just How Expensive Is Massachusetts Health Insurance?
The Commonwealth Fund has put out a document on “Health Reform’s Potential” to reduce health costs. It’s interesting — deeply flawed, but interesting. Let me start by saying that the intended purpose of the report is the part that is deeply flawed… it’s a political treatise, written by a supporter of the Obamacare legislation that [...]
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit: New IRS Guidelines
In late December the IRS issued more guidelines on the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. Beginning with the 2010 taxable year, eligible small employers that offer health insurance coverage to their employees may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35% of the non-elective contributions they, the employer, make toward premium cost. The [...]
New Rules on Paying for Over-the-Counter Medications
The IRS near the end of the year released Notice 2010-59. It sets out the guidelines for implementing the new Section 125, Medical Reimbursement and HRA standards for reimbursing for OTC medications. The Notice specifies that an employer-sponsored health plan may only reimburse a claim for a medicine or drug if it: Requires a prescription, [...]
How Effective Will "Tiered" Health Insurance Networks Be?
There is a move afoot (which I endorse) to make end users, patients, employees — whatever you want to call them — carry the cost burden of their health care provider choices. The goal is to reduce health insurance rate increases. As I said, I’m all for it — here in Massachusetts the clear leader [...]