Open enrollment season is when employees review and select
their health benefits package for the following year. It gives them a few weeks
to evaluate the options presented by their employers.
Employees will naturally want to know if the Affordable Care
Act has affected or will affect their coverage or their premiums and some may
be confused about the impact of the new health care law.
Employers can help employees during open enrollment by
having their human resource director, benefits consultant or health insurance
representative make group presentations about what’s changing and, just as
importantly, what’s staying the same.
Two of the most notable changes include 100 percent coverage for a wide number of preventive services,
such as mammograms and colonoscopies, without charging a deductible, co-pay or
coinsurance, as well as the ability to keep dependents on a parent’s policy
until age 26.
This year may also mark the first time that employees of
many small businesses, with anywhere between two to 50 employees, will have more
than a couple of benefit plan choices to choose from. In the
past, small businesses would typically only be able to offer their employees
one plan design. But over the past year, many health insurers have begun
offering multi-choice packages to small businesses to better accommodate varied
employee needs. So, a 20-something single employee might opt for a plan with a
higher deductible, while someone with children might prefer a lower one.
Health insurance can sometimes be a daunting proposition
with confusing terminology and seemingly impossible choices. It’s imperative,
therefore, that employers take this time to help guide their employees, ease
their concerns and answer questions brought up by new regulations and options. Employees
should also be encouraged to do their homework to become better educated
healthcare consumers, and use the many online and mobile device tools insurance
companies provide to help them in the decision-making process. Better information leads to better decisions
and better health!
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| UnitedHealthcare representative is on site at a local business to help employees better understand their health benefits |
Sue, I have just found your blog, and you certainly demonstrate that you have a thorough understanding of health care coverage and its administration. If you don't mind, I would like to get your opinion on my project.
ReplyDeleteI started building a patient centered medication specific counseling website about a year ago. I work full time as a community pharmacist and part time as a hospital pharmacist and build this project in the wee hours of the morning.
I sell individual memberships; however, I see the real value of my project as a wellness benefit for employees of companies who are required to get their prescriptions through mail order pharmacies.
When you have a few moments, I would be honored if you would be willing to give me a realistic opinion on my project.
Much Thanks
Steve
www.audiblerx.com