Health Insurance Changes in 2016
As you make decisions or changes in your healthcare insurance during open enrollment in the next 2 months, you will notice employers are beginning to announce health insurance options for 2016 which are listed below.
Expect higher health insurance premiums as most employers anticipate their health care cost and dentists cost to increase around 5% in 2016 which has been the same size increase for the past 2 years. As expected, employers will pass some of the increase to employees but more percentage to dependents, with dependents contributing 24% of the premiums and employees contributing 20% of their own premiums. If you are in a higher income bracket, expect to pay even more.
Employers are using a few methods to contain rising dentist costs #healthcare costs by forcing employees to take more control of their healthcare. In 2016 employers will offer a consumer directed health insurance plan which is primarily high deductible health insurance coupled with a health savings account and some employers will offer a high deductible plan as the only option. Some employers will contribute to the employees’ health savings account which gives them tax free money for medical expenses and if you participate in a wellness program, some employers will contribute more.
Employers stated one of the major causes for rising health care costs are prices for specialty drugs and are implementing more restrictions such as prior authorization for these specialty drugs by requiring doctors to fill out forms explaining why the patient needs this type of specialty drug. Other employers plans may require you to try cheaper medications first before covering the more expensive drug.
AmeriPlan Med Plus includes Telemedicine so you can schedule a phone consultation from your home with a doctor which most employers will offer. No doubt this will advance to video based consultation using technology similar to Skype which alleviates traveling long distance to see a doctor. A visit to your doctor’s office may cost $140.00 but with AmeriPlan, a Telemedicine consultation with a doctor might only be around $40.00.
Employers continually strive to lower their medical expenses by focusing on optional medical plans that will give employees more incentives to participate. Around 39% of employers will offer a cost sharing or decrease on health insurance premiums for employees who participate in a disease management program, biometric exam or health assessment exam or wellness program. Around 33% of employers may contribute more to your Health Saving Account if you achieve a health goal by completing a health education or wellness program.
AmeriPlan is not insurance but offers an alternative to high medical insurance premiums and deductibles by providing discounts on healthcare, vision, prescription drugs discounts, dental, chiropractic, eye care, hearing, laboratory services in most major US cities including but not limited to Birmingham AL, Atlanta GA, Montgomery AL, Columbus GA and Macon GA.
