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What You Can Do about Healthcare
Issues in Your Workplace

03/05/07


From staggering health plan costs to concerns about quality, health care is a hot issue with both employers and employees. But as overwhelming as it may seem, you can take steps to bring costs down and empower your employees with education.

How to leverage your health care purchasing power

Health care costs have been climbing at double-digit rates for years now. In fact, according to the National Coalition on Health Care, coverage for a family of four rose 11.2% in 2004, to $829 per month. Small companies and their workers are hit hardest by the increases. Here are some ideas to help you control health care costs:

  • Shop around
    Market your company’s plan to other insurers to find the lowest quotes. A good agent will take the time to know your business and understand your employees and their risks.
  • Consider Health savings accounts
    Health savings accounts, or HSAs, allow individuals to save money for health care expenses with pretax dollars. When combined with a low-premium, high-deductible policy cost savings can be substantial.
  • Jump in the pool
    Purchasing pools let small companies — typically those with fewer than 50 employees — band together to buy health insurance. The combined purchasing power of the group often translates to better rates and access to plans from a larger number of carriers.

  • Empower your employees through education

    According to the Institute of Medicine, preventable medical mistakes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, taking more lives annually than car accidents, breast cancer or AIDS. So what can you do about it?

    Give your employees access to consumer information about the quality of care provided by doctors and hospitals. Here are some good resources:
  • Visit http://www.docboard.org to find out whether your state offers online information about doctors. You can also visit the American Medical Association’s website.
  • To find out if a doctor is board-certified, call the American Board of Medical Specialties at 1-800-776-2378. To find out whether a hospital, nursing home or outpatient surgical facility is accredited, visit the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or call 630-792-5800.


  • Confidential Employee Medical Records Folders

    August 2005