Employers are concerned about the increasing cost of health care. In a survey of 267 large employers in the Northeast Tennessee region, the vast majority of employers indicated that they value health care insurance and are satisfied with their current plan. While almost all employers offered health benefits to full-time employees, 82% listed cost as the biggest employee health concern/problem, and cost-related insurance factors were identified as essential to the purchase decision. The majority of respondents indicated that managed care has been effective in controlling costs. However, employers indicated a reluctance to engage the managed care model in an attempt to protect employees. Given the conflicting goals of containing costs and protecting employees, over one-half of responding businesses indicated that they are very likely or likely to move employees into some type of managed care plan within the next two years. Variables such as number of employees, gender of employees, number and type of insurance plans offered, health concerns/problems, and specific risk factors were analyzed to determine employer attitudes regarding managed care.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in the session will be able to: 1. Identify employer concerns regarding employer-sponsored health insurance; 2. Describe employer attitudes toward managed care; and 3. Discuss an employer's potential options for reducing health insurance costs
Keywords: Management, Employer-Provided Health Insurance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.