DESCRIPTION

With the economic crisis showing no signs of abating quickly during the spring of 2009, health benefit plans are moving boldly to make changes in benefits design and to increase the rigor of administrative procedures. At the same time, they continue to look for creative approaches to meet employees' health care needs. During the weeks of March 30 and April 6, 2009, the International Foundation surveyed health plan sponsors to identify their opinions, actions and responses regarding the impact of the economic downturn on health care spending, plan design and health-seeking behavior. Managers, directors, administrative executives, trustees and professional advisors of U.S. plans were asked what they thought were the major health benefit concerns of plan participants and what changes (if any) they are seeing in participant use of various benefits. Sponsors were also asked if they were taking any actions to address the costs of their health care plans (e.g., asking plan participants to share more of the costs, conducting eligibility audits, analyzing cost drivers, expanding benefit education programs, introducing new wellness programs and incentives). Responses received from 1,299 individuals are organized by employee benefit sector: corporate plans, public/governmental plans, multiemployer benefit plans, and others with health care plans.

PRODUCT TYPE
eBooks