Health Care Consumerism
Navigating Health Care Reform for Employers and EmployeesDescription of some of the major changes that the Health Care Reform Law will bring into effect over the next eight years.
Technology, Price Transparency Aid Consumers As one of the youngest leaders in the consumer-directed health care industry, William Short’s passion and success in bringing tremendous growth and change to the organizations he has played a leadership role in put him on par with well-respected CDHC veterans.
Strong Leader at the HelmOver the past few years, Lighthouse1 has grown from a fledgling company running on a bleeding edge platform to the one of the largest subscription-based health care software firms in the United States.
Pace of Health Care Consumerism, CDHC Picking upThe passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has brought clarity to the market, yet muddied the waters at the same time. According to a new survey by the National Business Group on Health, more than one-half (53%) of large U.S. employers plan to revise their 2011 health care benefit programs in the wake of health care reform legislation and anticipated large benefit cost increases next year.
Customized Investment Options Provide Choices for Public and PrivateBy empowering the consumer, we can change the face of health care choices and health care pricing.”
Bank ‘Guarantees‘ Satisfaction with CDHP OptionsWith more than $51 billion in assets, Zions Bancorporation operates 500 full-service banking offices in 10 Western and Southwestern states and employs more than 11,000 people. Providing these employees and their families with quality health care has been a focus for Harris H. Simmons over the course of his 30-plus years with Zions.
Health Care Reform: Rewriting the DOL NoticesThe good people at Benz Communications break down some of the new rules that come with health care reform including Limit Changes, Eligibility for adult Dependants and Primary Care Physician Designation
CDHC Statistics and DataReport Concludes Care Costs May be Halved in a Decade
Implementing Effective Health Care ConsumerismRon Bachman explores why corporate benefits managers and human resource executives are searching for ways to effectively design and implement health plans to lower costs and improve the quality of care.
What Next? A Call for Real Reform of 'Health' and 'Care' Now that the long-debated health care bill has been passed and signed into law, we must turn our attention to addressing underlying problems of health and care in America.
Sick, Healthy Participants to Decide Health CareConsumers Gain Purchase Power, Decision-Making
Most large employers changing health benefit for 2011Due to certain provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, large U.S. employers plan on making some significant changes to their health care benefits programs for 2011.
ObamaCare OTC: A Prescription for ConfusionBy Ronald E. Bachman FSA, MAAA, president & CEO of Healthcare Visions
CDHP Growth Slows; Enrollments Decline for First TimeNation’s largest health plan survey cites key trends in employer health plans
GAO Report - "Consumer Directed Health Plans" Numbers Mean NothingBy Greg Scandlen, The Heartland Institute
EBRI -- What Do We Really Know About Consumer Driven Health Plan?By Greg Scandlen, The Heartland Institute
What Is Known About Consumer-Driven Health Plans? Report Summarizes Offer Rates, Enrollment, Premium Differences
Consumer Health Technologies Inc. Acquires MyHealthFunds, Inc. CHT Adds Business Process Outsourcing Services for TPA and Payer clients
Most Large Employers Changing Health Benefit for 2011By Kathleen Koster
EBRI report rounds up data on CDHPsThe number of employers offering a consumer-directed health plan increased from less than 5% in 2005 to between 12% and 15% by 2009, according to a new report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
Michigan Partnership Supports Healthcare Cost and Quality SolutionMedEncentive Program Attracts Business and Medical Communities
Shared Decision Making: Empowering Patients Health Dialog’s Dr. David Wennberg Champions Informed Patient Choice
Enactment of New FSA Restriction Will Pose Problems for Consumers, Retailers and Benefit ProvidersConnectYourCare Enhances CDH Participant PortalConnectYourCare Enhances CDH Participant Portal with WebMD Health Management Resources and Engagement Services: Innovative Pairing of Consumer-Directed Healthcare Account Information with Health Management Services to Drive Healthcare Consumerism & Better Health Outcomes
Your 2011 Health Plan Decision: A Strategic Perspective for Plan SponsorsBy Eric Hershberg, John Vargas and Ken Grant from Lockton’s employee benefits group
Nurtur Unveils the Third Dimension in Health Care Regulations on “Grandfathering” Under the Affordable Care ActSome of the requirements of the Affordable Care Act1—the new health reform law—do not apply to employment-based health plans that were in existence on March 23, 2010
Find Answers on Health Care ReformsBy Scott Leavitt, President Scott Leavitt Insurance & Financial Services
What is Consumer Driven Health Care?youtube video clip - staysmartstayhealthy
An Innovative Solution to Rising Healthcare CostsBy Mark S. Gauyna, Principal, Borislow Insurance
CDHC Solutions Offers Can’t Miss One-Day Health Care Benefit Forum It is one day your company cannot afford to miss. With the passing of the health care bill, potentially huge changes could be on the horizon for your firm.
Health Care, Human Capital, & The Need for Health Reform Annulment Ron Bachman describes the concept of human capital and how it should be the engine that lowers health care costs in the US
Survey Shows Gains in CDHPs, Cost-Shifting, Emphasis On WellnessMcGraw Wentworth released the results of its 2010 Southeast Michigan Mid-Market Group Benefits Survey
Aria Health Joins New Accountable Care Organizations InitiativeAria Health has joined 18 other health care organizations nationwide to launch Accountable Care Organizations (ACO), a collaborative effort designed to implement essential health care reforms to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.
Reform Changes Lead Employers to Rethink Retiree Prescription BenefitsAs the nation's health care system begins to understand and address the impact of the recently enacted health care reform legislation, employers must assess their current and future retiree prescription benefit options, according to executives from Medco Health Solutions Inc.
Consumerism Loses in European Style Healthcare by Ron E. BachmanA study of how Germany's health care situation affects health care consumerism.
Lighthouse1 Partners with TSYS HealthcareLighthouse1 announced a partnership with TSYS Healthcare to provide an integrated end-to-end healthcare payment solution.
Consumerism versus ObamaCare 2010Ron Bachman points out how health care consumerism can still thrive despite the new health care law.
We Can Help with Next Steps on Health ReformApril / May 2010
ObamaCare: From “No Way” to “Now What?”For flexible strategic planning, there are four major phases to consider: Legislation, regulation, compliance, and litigation.
It’s Time to Listen to Health Care ConsumersReleased April 14, 2010, a Mercer study for the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO) showed that insurance with health care consumerism now covers an estimated 23 million lives. Health care consumerism includes insurance plans with personal care accounts attached to the insurance coverage.
Look Beyond ObamaCare for Real Trend ObamaCare is fighting health care consumerism and broad cultural movements to personal responsibility, individual ownership, self-reliance, convenience, choice, and transparency. The health mandates violate the growth of personal responsibility and self-reliance.
Best Doctors U.S. Announces Significant Growth in 2009 with Continued Growth Expected in 2010Company helps leading employers impact healthcare quality and cost with innovative health benefit
Health Reform – the Ultimate FixA majority of Americans believe that a health reform fix is needed. For those in power the following is the perspective of a concerned physician and an actuary, two professionals who work in the dysfunctional system. Please read, it’s important for a few noble Congressmen and women to listen to these insights. Consider what kind of fix you may be voting for.
Companies Face Worker, Health Care Challenges as Millennium Closes Overall Outlook for 2010
Any Reforms Must Strengthen Both Health Care and EconomyInitial Focus Should Address Cost
Health Care Consumerism - Readiness TestCorporate benefits managers and human resource executives are searching for ways to effectively design health plans to lower costs and improve quality of care. Wellness and prevention initiatives are being adopted. Disease and condition management programs are identifying chronically ill populations. Education, communication, and incentives are being used to support information on healthy lifestyles and healthy choices. But, healthcare costs continue to rise. Real change in cost and quality is not about more management, additional programs, limiting formularies, or cost shifting. Real change involves engagement, personal responsibility, and changing behaviors.
Mental Health Parity A power point presentation about what employers need to know about the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)
Tea Party MomsRon Bachman shares his health care consumerism knowledge with the Tea Party movement
Health Reform - A House DividedDueling polls are worded to asked and cast favor on one side or the other of our national debate on health reform. Public opinion polls and recent elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts tell us that the American public does not want massive national health reform. They are worried about the current costs, future deficits, and government intrusion. President Abraham Lincoln once stated, “A house divided cannot stand.” The life and health of Americans deserves better consideration than a house too broken to pass inspection by anyone but the most partisan observer. Coming together is still possible.
Health Care Consumerism - Web 2.0 & Employee EngagementParticipatory information technology platforms can enhance the effectiveness of next generation Healthcare Consumerism. New Health Advocacy Program (HAP) strategies use various participatory Web-based approaches—aimed to engage end-users and accelerate behavior change. Innovative Web 2.0 aggregator/navigator platforms can engage participants to optimize Healthcare Consumerism savings of 9-21% and separately provide additional value-added savings of 2-4%. Web 2.0 and next generation “Health Advocacy Programs (HAPs)” can enhance financial successes as well as achieve better participant engagement and overall satisfaction.
Mental Health Parity - Interim Final Ruling 2/2/10This document contains interim final rules implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which requires parity between mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits with respect to financial requirements and treatment limitations under group health plans and health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan.
Mental Health Parity - Implementation, Best PracticesTo optimize the corporate value when implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), health plans should review their benefits design and the various ways mental health services are accessed, delivered, and paid for. The MHPAEA Interim Final Ruling (IFR) was produced February 2, 20109, but questions remain and legal interpretations will take years to settle. IFR follow up clarifications will probably stretch into 2010. The following is offered as help and support for employers wanting to implement best practice suggestions that are likely to provide the greatest corporate effort for creating a healthy workforce.
Health Care Consumerism - A Complete SolutionTransformation to an Individual-center health system is much more than employers implementing high deductible Consumer-Driven health care (CDHC) plans with attached saving accounts. The future is about empowering individuals with information and financial responsibility to support a position of ownership. It’s about supporting and rewarding healthy behaviors regardless of plan design. It’s about engaging employees, employers, providers, carriers, and other stakeholders in a new relationship that deals with health rather than sickness and disease.
Health Reform Requires Unified, Concrete Game Plan It is now time to lay out basic principles, desired outcomes, and general legislative proposals to deal with real health reform.