| The cost of providing employees with health | | | | The more participating providers a health |
| insurance coverage continues to increase at a | | | | plan has, the more you're likely to pay in |
| double-digit rate. We've read a lot about | | | | premiums. If you are considering a health |
| cost drivers in health care - exorbitant | | | | plan that doesn't include a few desired |
| hospital charges, rising prescription drug | | | | physicians, request that the carrier add them |
| costs, expenses associated with developing | | | | to its network. |
| new technologies and treatments, an aging | | | | |
| population and litigation. Nurturing these | | | | Physicians participate in many different |
| factors is an environment in which the demand | | | | health plans and are usually willing to |
| for health care seems to be increasing. | | | | participate in one more. Don't get caught in |
| | | | the trap of paying 10 percent to 15 percent |
| For the most part, there is little employers | | | | more for your health insurance premiums |
| can do to control what is driving health care | | | | because one or two doctors are not |
| costs out of their reach. Health benefits | | | | participating in the plan. It's reasonable |
| companies can and do negotiate discounts, and | | | | that an employee can find another physician |
| while those help, the underlying | | | | out of the thousands on the plan. |
| costscontinue to skyrocket. The increases | | | | |
| created by these cost drivers flow through | | | | The power of marketing |
| the health benefits companies and eventually | | | | |
| trickle down to employers in the form of | | | | Living in the United States affords us |
| higher health insurance premiums. | | | | exceptional opportunities and choices. Along |
| | | | with that privilege comes a barrage of |
| In this soft economy, declining revenue is | | | | communications designed to influence our |
| putting a squeeze on company expenses. It is | | | | decision-making. What we read in the papers, |
| likely that you will experience a 15 percent | | | | see on television, hear on the radio, see |
| to 20 percent increase in your group health | | | | flashed across a billboard, get stuffed in |
| insurance when a renewal form lands on your | | | | our mailboxes or pops up on the Internet is |
| desk. | | | | designed to predispose us to a company or its |
| | | | product. |
| Can you raise the cost of your company's | | | | |
| product or service as quickly as your health | | | | Marketing can be an effective tool, and |
| insurance premiums are increasing? Probably | | | | depending on how much is spent, can be quite |
| not. However, there are steps you can take to | | | | influential. What marketing cannot do, |
| gain some control over your health care | | | | however, no matter how much is spent, is |
| costs. | | | | replace what it takes to come up with an |
| | | | affordable health benefitssolution that works |
| Finding a solution | | | | for you. Be sure to look for a health |
| | | | benefits company that is flexible, listens |
| Employers can exercise some control over | | | | and is willing to roll up its sleeves to |
| their costs by finding a health benefits | | | | provide you with a package of health benefits |
| company that provides the "best" value for | | | | that you can afford. |
| their company's premium dollars. The way in | | | | |
| which you "shop" a health plan can impact the | | | | PETER JOSEPH is senior vice president for |
| price. I'll use an analogy. Your travel agent | | | | commercial salesfor VISTA, a health benefits |
| has a great deal for you - air, car, hotel | | | | company headquartered in South |
| and meals included. You tell your agent to | | | | |
| book it. | | | | Florida with more than 330,000 members. |
| | | | VISTA, through itsaffiliated companies, Vista |
| Coincidently, your neighbors just booked that | | | | Healthplan Inc., Vista Health Plan of South |
| same trip for $1,000 less through their | | | | Florida Inc. and Vista Insurance |
| travel agent. One agent shopped for the best | | | | |
| price, the other agent arranged the trip | | | | Plan Inc., offers a choice of health benefit |
| through his or her vendor of choice. Whether | | | | plans including health maintenance |
| it's a family vacation, buying a car or | | | | organization (HMO), preferred provider |
| choosing a health benefits plan, how you shop | | | | organization (PPO) and point-of-service |
| can impact your cost. Make sure your | | | | (POS). Reach him through VISTA's Web site at |
| insurance agent doesn't "arrange" your health | | | | or (954) 986-6255. |
| plan for you. How many providers are enough? | | | | |