An article was recently posted on MedicineNet.com entitled "Workplace Wellness Seems to Really Work." The article confirms what we already know and promote at Herbruck Alder “Wellness Works." At Herbruck Alder we realize that one wellness solution does not fit all organizations. If you would like to learn more about a customized wellness program though Herbruck Alder Health Advocates please contact us at 216-623-2600 or www.herbruckalder.com.
Click here to view article.
Chris Herbruck, cherbruck@herbruckalder.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
National Health Reform cont.
I’ve reserved my comments of late wanting to give our elected officials the opportunity to legislate national health reform based upon our stated needs -- better access and lower cost.
Based upon what I have read in various articles and have heard from various “news” programs, the legislators seem to have lost their way. If quality is to remain, costs are best controlled with competition, not price controls. A public option is, in my opinion, more likely to discourage the marketplace and looks more like a Trojan Horse for a single payer system.
Here are a few suggestions to provide access to all and yet keep costs within reach:
Based upon what I have read in various articles and have heard from various “news” programs, the legislators seem to have lost their way. If quality is to remain, costs are best controlled with competition, not price controls. A public option is, in my opinion, more likely to discourage the marketplace and looks more like a Trojan Horse for a single payer system.
Here are a few suggestions to provide access to all and yet keep costs within reach:
- Open markets. Repeal laws that require insured plans to be controlled by each state. Large self-funded employers have special treatment which avoids state law through a “national” exemption called ERISA. Give the same exemption to all plans.
- Enroll all those who are presently eligible into Medicare and Medicaid, and work on reducing the fraud in these government-run programs.
- Level the tax playing field. Just as premiums paid for Employer-Sponsored plans are tax deductible, premiums for individual plans should be tax-deductible as well.
- Enact tort reform to lower the cost of doing business for health providers. Fewer tests will be ordered for defensive reasons.
- Repeal laws which mandate coverage for a growing number of services. Simplify the process to enable people to purchase core services and add additional coverage as riders.
- Make costs transparent. Help consumers understand choices and cost of services.
- Require guarantee issue of coverage, including coverage for pre-existing conditions. Allow a rate-up based upon current health status and proof of prior coverage to provide incentives for people to keep coverage in place and encourage healthy lifestyles.
I’ve read some good articles recently which make sense. It seems that Whole Foods, a national grocery store chain, has it right. They provide full-time employees a high deductible health plan and fund a portion of the deductible through a Health Savings Account. As a result, employees have access to health insurance; the plan design covers preventive services that are not subject to the deductible; and because of the high deductible, the premiums are low and employees are encouraged to use the program wisely. The Health Savings Account encourages thrift – save money for when you become sick. Because the account is owned by the employee, the employee chooses how and when to spend the money. Unused HSA funds remain in the employees’ accounts year after year. Whole Foods reports their costs are as much as 50% lower than the national average. Thus, they are already achieving lower costs.
Health reform is a complicated issue with many facets and is laced with emotion. Surveys say that most people like their present arrangements. Can we please focus the reform on access and ideas that will reduce cost or at least slow the rate of growth?
- Mark Alder, President, Herbruck Alder - malder@herbruckalder.com - www.herbruckalder.comFriday, August 28, 2009
A Tax on Insurance Companies is a Tax on You
Bob Laszewski addresses in his Healthcare Policy and Marketplace blog a recent idea by the Congress and the White House for paying for the proposed healthcare “reform.” They want to tax insurance companies. Let’s set aside for a moment that Ohio and most other states already have a state premium tax that insurance companies pay and instead look at what this really is. It is simply an attempt to stick somebody with the price tag for the legislation currently being discussed. And since, as Mr. Laszewski points out, everyone else has fought back against being saddled with that price tag, the Congress and the White House are picking a target that the general public would never defend: insurance companies.
Well, Mr. Laszewski is asking that you in fact defend the insurance companies against this move, and he is right. It is NOT a tax on insurance companies, it is a tax on consumers and businesses. In order to pay a new tax, which will simply be viewed as a cost of doing business, insurance companies will increase premiums by the amount of the tax. Does this action help solve the problem of rising healthcare costs?
Our leaders in Washington need to focus on addressing the waste in the current system and on the true reasons behind the rising cost of healthcare. Taxing insurance companies may be a politically convenient way to pay for universal coverage, but it hides the truth that each taxpayer will be forced to pick up the bill.
Link: http://healthpolicyandmarket.blogspot.com/2009/07/health-insurance-premium-tax-would-be.html
- Kevin Hignett, Herbruck Alder - khignett@herbruckalder.com
Well, Mr. Laszewski is asking that you in fact defend the insurance companies against this move, and he is right. It is NOT a tax on insurance companies, it is a tax on consumers and businesses. In order to pay a new tax, which will simply be viewed as a cost of doing business, insurance companies will increase premiums by the amount of the tax. Does this action help solve the problem of rising healthcare costs?
Our leaders in Washington need to focus on addressing the waste in the current system and on the true reasons behind the rising cost of healthcare. Taxing insurance companies may be a politically convenient way to pay for universal coverage, but it hides the truth that each taxpayer will be forced to pick up the bill.
Link: http://healthpolicyandmarket.blogspot.com/2009/07/health-insurance-premium-tax-would-be.html
- Kevin Hignett, Herbruck Alder - khignett@herbruckalder.com
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Change Vs. Security by Grace-Marie Turner, Galen Institute
The following is an article written by Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute. The Galen Institute is a non-profit research organization devoted exclusively to health policy. They work to promote a more informed public debate over ideas that advance individual freedom, consumer choice, and competition in the health sector.
Grace-Marie Turner will be the keynote speaker at Herbruck Alder's event "Coming Together to Explain Changes in Healthcare Legislation" on August 20, 2009 at LaCentre. Click here for additional event information.
Ms. Turner's article -
ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson shook his head after Wednesday night's broadcast from the White House, frustrated he had not been able to draw out more details from President Obama about the sweeping health reform plan that he is pushing.
Gibson, as well as the doctors, patients, businesspeople, and others in the audience, posed some tough questions. But most of the president's answers came from his standard talking points and went unchallenged. He spoke for 45 minutes of the 75 minutes of actual airtime.
His comments about who controls medical decisions got a lot of attention. A neurologist in the audience asked the president if he would say that he wouldn't seek extraordinary help for his wife or daughters if they became sick and if the government health plan he's proposing limited the tests or treatment they could get.
Click here to read the remainder of the article.
Grace-Marie Turner will be the keynote speaker at Herbruck Alder's event "Coming Together to Explain Changes in Healthcare Legislation" on August 20, 2009 at LaCentre. Click here for additional event information.
Ms. Turner's article -
ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson shook his head after Wednesday night's broadcast from the White House, frustrated he had not been able to draw out more details from President Obama about the sweeping health reform plan that he is pushing.
Gibson, as well as the doctors, patients, businesspeople, and others in the audience, posed some tough questions. But most of the president's answers came from his standard talking points and went unchallenged. He spoke for 45 minutes of the 75 minutes of actual airtime.
His comments about who controls medical decisions got a lot of attention. A neurologist in the audience asked the president if he would say that he wouldn't seek extraordinary help for his wife or daughters if they became sick and if the government health plan he's proposing limited the tests or treatment they could get.
Click here to read the remainder of the article.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Few Thoughts...
In an effort to provide insurance for the uninsured, President Obama appears to favor a “Federal Option” aimed to compete with private carriers. Such a plan would spell the end to competition in healthcare as we know it. I am not suggesting employers and employees don’t want change. The change most want is for the prices to come down or at least flatten out. However, the cost will not come down without rationing -- either by reducing services (rationing of care), reducing payments to providers (rationing of dollars), reallocation of services (taking from the older with coverage and giving something to those without), or reducing demand (people behaving differently and needing less service).
Presently, there is a limit on resources. If the supply is fixed (limited number of hospitals and physicians) and the demand increases, costs tend to rise. If the supply of providers increases and the demand stays the same or reduces, costs will tend to fall. To have any chance of cost stabilization as a nation (no increase to the current % healthcare represents in the GDP), we need to use the same or less service in the aggregate.
New and improved technology may reduce administrative cost but offsetting that will be new technologies which cost more money. People tend seek out treatments which save, improve and offer convenience – even if they cost money.
I live to the east of Cleveland – just the other side of 271. I have noticed that both the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals are increasing the supply of their services to Cleveland residents who live east. With the increase of supply, will our costs go down? I don’t think so, but I do appreciate how convenient these services are for my wife and me. I am just hoping I don’t have to use them.
Remember, eat less and exercise more – and try to eat an apple a day.
- Mark Alder, President, Herbruck Alder - malder@herbruckalder.com
Presently, there is a limit on resources. If the supply is fixed (limited number of hospitals and physicians) and the demand increases, costs tend to rise. If the supply of providers increases and the demand stays the same or reduces, costs will tend to fall. To have any chance of cost stabilization as a nation (no increase to the current % healthcare represents in the GDP), we need to use the same or less service in the aggregate.
New and improved technology may reduce administrative cost but offsetting that will be new technologies which cost more money. People tend seek out treatments which save, improve and offer convenience – even if they cost money.
I live to the east of Cleveland – just the other side of 271. I have noticed that both the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals are increasing the supply of their services to Cleveland residents who live east. With the increase of supply, will our costs go down? I don’t think so, but I do appreciate how convenient these services are for my wife and me. I am just hoping I don’t have to use them.
Remember, eat less and exercise more – and try to eat an apple a day.
- Mark Alder, President, Herbruck Alder - malder@herbruckalder.com
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
2009 Mid Market Employee Benefits Survey
2009 Mid Market Employee Benefits Survey
Have you asked yourself the following questions?
- How do my employee benefits compare to other companies in the area?
- Are my premiums on par with similar size companies relative to my plan designs?
- What is the prevalence of high-deductible health plans in my area?
- What kinds of cost control strategies have other employers been using?
At Herbruck Alder, we are continually hearing these types of questions from our employee benefits clients. Although some information is available from national sources, most of it is too general to answer an employer's most important questions.
Clearly, employers need customized benchmarking - a comparison of their unique plan(s) to others of similar geographic area, industry, and size. As a participant in the survey, a customized benchmarking report is provided to you at no cost.
The survey is being offered to companies in Northern Ohio and was designed with your needs in mind:
- Quick - it only takes an average of 30-60 minutes to complete.
- Easy - in a user-friendly, web-based format. You can complete it at any time and even save results for later completion or editing.
- Comprehensive - all of your benefit plans are covered.
- Thorough interpretation - your individual results will be provided in a clear, easy-to-understand format by a qualified and knowledgeable consultant.
Click here to complete the 2009 Mid Market Employee Benefits Survey.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Author Lays Out Nutrition Tips for the CDC
Author Michael Pollan was recently invited to speak to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding U.S. food policies and the Western Diet. Among his suggestions were his 7 Rules for Eating. Normally, I’m skeptical of anything that tries to simplify a person’s diet to such a degree; and I do have some issues with Pollan’s list, like accounting for those who require more protein. However, most of it makes sense.
Some of Pollan’s rules are funny and also point out what we should already know -- things like, “Don’t buy food where you buy your gasoline.” That one is pretty obvious, I would think, but worth remembering.
Other rules seem to throw down the gauntlet to those of us who don’t eat very well and likely know it. “Don’t eat anything with more than 5 ingredients.” Have you seen the ingredient lists on the stuff you buy at the supermarket? The ingredients in bread alone (even the “healthy” wheat bread!) is enough to make a normal person check out a chemistry book at the library. We don’t even know what’s in bread anymore!
That said, in today’s society it is very challenging to avoid consuming massive quantities of chemicals, preservatives, and other junk that’s shoved into seemingly innocuous food. Pollan is essentially advocating the “whole food” approach. It’s probably the gold standard for the American diet, but not easily obtained. I would suggest starting off on the path to a whole food diet by identifying the easiest changes you can make today.
Do you like coffee? Certainly avoid the big specialty coffees at Starbucks, strictly because they are calorie bombs. Go ahead and have a cup of joe at work, but watch what you put into it. There are at least 8 ingredients listed on the container of powdered creamer in my office. I don’t have a clue what the last 4 or 5 of them are, but they don’t sound good. So, drink it black or add actual milk to it.
Go through that sort of process for everything you eat in a given day and pick off the items that are easiest to change. Then, make it an ongoing process to push yourself towards healthier “whole food” choices and ditch the processed foods most of us grew up on.
Kevin Hignett, khignett@herbruckalder.com
Some of Pollan’s rules are funny and also point out what we should already know -- things like, “Don’t buy food where you buy your gasoline.” That one is pretty obvious, I would think, but worth remembering.
Other rules seem to throw down the gauntlet to those of us who don’t eat very well and likely know it. “Don’t eat anything with more than 5 ingredients.” Have you seen the ingredient lists on the stuff you buy at the supermarket? The ingredients in bread alone (even the “healthy” wheat bread!) is enough to make a normal person check out a chemistry book at the library. We don’t even know what’s in bread anymore!
That said, in today’s society it is very challenging to avoid consuming massive quantities of chemicals, preservatives, and other junk that’s shoved into seemingly innocuous food. Pollan is essentially advocating the “whole food” approach. It’s probably the gold standard for the American diet, but not easily obtained. I would suggest starting off on the path to a whole food diet by identifying the easiest changes you can make today.
Do you like coffee? Certainly avoid the big specialty coffees at Starbucks, strictly because they are calorie bombs. Go ahead and have a cup of joe at work, but watch what you put into it. There are at least 8 ingredients listed on the container of powdered creamer in my office. I don’t have a clue what the last 4 or 5 of them are, but they don’t sound good. So, drink it black or add actual milk to it.
Go through that sort of process for everything you eat in a given day and pick off the items that are easiest to change. Then, make it an ongoing process to push yourself towards healthier “whole food” choices and ditch the processed foods most of us grew up on.
Kevin Hignett, khignett@herbruckalder.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)