GLG News by Life & Health Insurance Experts

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

Preparing for Consumer Driven Health

June 1, 2006

Analysis of:Time is The Best Medicine in Making The Switch to Consumer Driven Health | www.workforce.com

Early adapters of consumer driven healthcare programs have a lesson to share with employers considering the approach--take the time to educate and to let your workforce adjust to the concept before implementing or face a revolt from your workforce.

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

Do Not Underestimate the Difficulty of Consumer Driven Full Replacement

May 25, 2006

Analysis of:CALPERS Ponders Benefit Changes | sacramento.bizjournals.com

CALPERS is considering health benefit design changes which could save $64M next year but heavy resistance is expected from unions. The article offers insights into how truly out of touch with actual  medical costs many public sector employees and their union representatives truly are and how difficult this fact will make execution of  a full replacement consumer driven healthcare strategy in the public sector.

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

Big Margins for Medical Device Makers Face Scrutiny By Consumers

May 25, 2006

Analysis of:Device Maker Pricing Has Big Impact On America's Healthcare Bill | www.healthleadersmedia.com

Medical device makers have been insulated from scrutiny of the public for their excessive margins. The issue has two components;

1. Inappropriate utilization by providers
2. Outrageous product costs

Investors should carefully consider which device makers can even justify their margin in the face of transparent pricing.

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

The Health and Productivity Connection

May 18, 2006

Analysis of:More insurers Reimburse Doctors for Online Care | www.orlandosentinel.com

Non-emergency office visits account for 20-30% of the average physicians total. Many of these can be handled online via secure communication without costing an employee to miss work. Insurer are beginning to reimburse for online consults.

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

Opportunities for Health Insurers in Middle Market

May 18, 2006

Analysis of:Health Care Education Lacking at Work;Study | www.businessinsurance.com

This survey of middle market employers reveals much for investors following public health insurers wondering which of the big 4 will actually grow membership. Consider that 72 % of  the employers surveyed have fewer than 200 employees and another 22% have less than 1000 employees. 82% of these employers either reduced benefits or increased employee contributions for Healthcare this past year.

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

Until They Build It, Consumers Will Not Come

May 5, 2006

Analysis of:Providers Nor ready For Consumer Driven Health Plans | www.aishealth.com

Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHP's) are causing hospitals and physicians to modify their business practices. Competing on cost and quality will present new challenges to doctors and hospitals unaccustomed to competing on these terms and change how they require payment.

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

Incentives to Control Medical Costs

May 5, 2006

Analysis of:Employers focus on Chronic Ailments | www.boston.com

Employers are increasingly reducing or eliminating drug co-payments for employees and dependents with chronic conditions while at the same time subsidizing screening for serious conditions so they can be treated earlier at a lower cost. 38% of employers now offer or plan to offer such targeted incentives in the future up from 20% in 2001. Many employers have cut their medical inflation by 40% or more by targeting incentives because the approach works and results can be documented.

Bilyana SavicPresidentInsurance Insights

Likelihood of repercussions for life insururers unknown

May 1, 2006

Analysis of:Bird-flu pandemic could hurt life insurers | www.insurancenewsnet.com

If the bird-flu virus mutates and begins spreading among humans, the concern is that life insurers would not be prepared for the volume of claims anticipated.

Bilyana SavicPresidentInsurance Insights

Rumblings of Healthcare Reform

April 28, 2006

Analysis of:FTCR: Insurance Cancellation Scandal Widens: WellPoint, Blue Cross & Blue Shield Sued For Illegal Denials of Health Coverage | www.insurancenewsnet.com

Charges of illegal claims denial and illegal coverage cancellations are surfacing in California. The target is currently Wellpoint even though the standards and practices involved are common industry wide and acccepted as appropriate procedures. The twenty three lawsuits filed to date suggest a potential to trigger a multi-state investigation into these practices.

Bilyana SavicPresidentInsurance Insights

HSAs are a shift of cost from employer to employee, not an increase in quality

April 28, 2006

Analysis of:As HSAs Grow, Leaders Debate Accounts' Effectiveness | www.insurancenewsnet.com

Since March of 2005, the number of consumers covered by Health Savings Accounts increased from 1 million to 3 million. Large firms have seen the largest increase. Businesses with 20,000+ employees increased from 12% with Consumer Driven Health Plans to 22% between 2004 and 2005. However, adjustments need to be made to the HSA approach to improve accessability and financial benefits for consumers.

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