Benefits quarterly最新文献

If the potential of accountable care organizations (ACOs) is realized, they could significantly transform how health care is delivered and financed, bringing the promise of high-quality affordable health care within reach. This article explores the root causes that have handicapped the value in the health care delivery system historically and the critical requirements to overcome those issues. The authors describe how commercial and Medicare ACOs attempt to address those issues, the potential land mines in the transition to a new paradigm and the principles plan sponsors should consider in understanding and integrating ACOs into their health care benefits strategy.

Employers implementing a health savings account (HSA) program face a shared compliance burden with their employees. The law dictates that all HSAs are individual accounts that must be opened by an Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-approved custodian or trustee. The individual account features combined with a required third-party custodian place much of the compliance burden for HSAs on the employee and custodian rather than the employer. Employees are compensated for the additional burden because HSAs give them more control over their health care money, and employers are generally pleased with their own reduced compliance burden. The shared compliance responsibilities, however, create confusion and misunderstanding for both employers and employees. This article distinguishes between the responsibilities of the employer and the employees for HSAs.

While innovative smaller companies are implementing employee wellness programs, many smaller firms may point to a lack of resources, such as staffing and financial resources, to establish and sustain a wellness program. The uncertain economy and rising health care costs have caused many smaller businesses to focus on core business strategies to keep the doors open and the business going. However, innovative companies realize that building a culture of health is a long-term business strategy directly related to improving the bottom line. This article highlights one company's approach to wellness and the results of the company's programs. It also outlines the components of a successful wellness program and suggests practical implementation steps for smaller businesses.

Recent advances can give companies a solid set of return on investment (ROI) measurements on their health improvement programs, provided they are willing to invest in both wellness programs and measurement efforts that effectively gauge those programs' merit. As this article explains, choosing the right methodology will depend on the health improvement programs being evaluated, data and resources available, and the degree of precision desired by management. The authors discuss the different measurement methodologies and various measurement considerations. They conclude that using several methods and multiple iterations under varying sets of assumptions is often useful, not only for calculating ROI but also for providing companies a framework for continual program tracking and improvement.

While the Affordable Care Act is trying to manage health insurance, as well as mandating coverage, a number of projects around the country are trying to manage the underlying cost of health care. By bringing back the concept of a true primary care physician, who provides 90% of your care and coordinates with your specialists, these programs are bending the curve of health care cost trends. Most are seeing a reduction in emergency room visits and hospital days in the double digits. Others that are taking fee-for-service insurance out of the picture altogether are experiencing even higher reduction rates. The goal is to increase patient health, which includes the patient having an active role in understanding his or her condition, treatment options and self-care strategies. It is estimated that if all Americans had access to a medical home, our nation could save $37 billion annually.

If the U.S. health care system is to improve, consumers must make better health care decisions. An innovative solution is that of the health advisor. Whether labeled a health concierge, health guide, health advocate or health coach, the advisor's function is to guide patients through the health care system in an informed way, much like how financial services advisors help customers navigate the financial system. This article reviews the current state of health care and explains why personalized communications through health advisors can address systemic cost drivers as well as reduce strain on employees' wallets, boost employees' health and improve the plan sponsor's bottom line.